Illinois Researcher Don Schneider Shares Bigfoot Field Investigations

If you've been craving a deep-dive conversation with someone who has spent decades in the field, this podcast episode is going to hit the spot. The Cryptid Wilderness Research team recently sat down with Illinois-based researcher Don Schneider, and the stories he shared are the kind that make you sit up and pay attention. Don's journey into this world started almost by accident back in 1978 in Illinois, but the real game-changer came in 1979 when he was camping alone in the Black Hills of New Mexico, not far from the tiny town of Mimbres. Picture this: 11 miles from his vehicle, working two jobs including driving a beer truck, and setting up camp with his dog in the mountains. That night, something surrounded his campsite. He doesn't call it terror, but it was enough to make him wonder who, or what, was out there in the dark. That single night shifted his entire path in life. What followed over the next 45-plus years is the kind of fieldwork most researchers only dream about. Don has had face-to-face encounters, captured thermal footage, and even recorded reflective eye-shine on regular cameras at night. One of the most chilling moments he describes happened about seven or eight years ago when he was camping and felt a hand push through the webbing of his tent and physically shove him, rolling him from his right side onto his stomach. The nights before that incident included rock throws at metal sheeting he had found in the woods, with rocks bouncing off the sheets like they were being used as some kind of percussive instrument. The conversation also dives into the Ohio flap from March of this year, which has been generating serious buzz in the community. Don teamed up with a researcher named David from Akron to investigate Berlin Lake, the same area where Matt Money Maker had his first Bigfoot sighting years ago. They hiked miles through the rain, nearly lost their GPS coordinates, and found isolated footprints along with strange structures. From there, they moved on to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where they logged over 16 miles in a single day and night investigation. The finds there included X-shaped structures, pinned arches, and unusual accumulations of wood. One of the most fascinating discoveries was a triple arch configuration, two arches running parallel and almost touching, with a smaller third one underneath pointing in a different direction. Don described it as if someone was framing a piece of artwork, and you could see why they picked that particular location. The discussion also touches on why eastern, southeastern, and northeastern Ohio have become such a hot spot for activity. One theory floated is that the region serves as the foothills to the Appalachians, potentially making it a migratory route. Don points out that the area ticks all the boxes he uses as an indicator for active locations, and Illinois researchers he works with use the same checklist when evaluating new spots. If you love hearing from seasoned researchers who have put in the boots-on-the-ground time, this is one episode worth carving out an hour for. The full conversation covers a lot more ground than I can fit here, including more on the vocalizations David recorded that sounded almost Neanderthal-like, and Don's thoughts on the distinction between Bigfoot and what's sometimes called Grassman. Definitely worth a watch for anyone tracking the Ohio activity or just looking for inspiration to get out into the woods.