Vietnam Veteran Recalls 1970s Bigfoot Encounter in Texas

Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2026

By Squatchable.com staff

If you've ever wanted to sit in on one of those legendary late-night radio conversations about Sasquatch that made the whole country stop and listen, this one is an absolute must. Recently, I stumbled across an old Coast to Coast AM episode hosted by the one and only Art Bell, and let me tell you, it gave me chills. The episode features a man who goes by the name "Bugs," a Vietnam veteran and former bobcat hunter from Texas who claims he and two of his buddies shot and killed two Sasquatch creatures back in the mid-1970s. And if that isn't wild enough, Bugs actually sent Art Bell half a map to the burial site of these creatures. Why only half? Well, Bugs explains that his days are limited, and when he's gone, his wife is supposed to call Art and give him the green light to reveal the full location to the world. How's that for a story that spans decades? Joining the conversation is Robert W. Morgan, a name that longtime researchers will recognize immediately. Morgan has been investigating Sasquatch since his first sighting back in 1957, though he didn't begin serious research until around 1969. At the time of this interview, he was living somewhere in Montana, intentionally keeping a low profile so he could focus on his work without distractions. Morgan mentions that he had been using audio cassettes to help people have their own encounters, and at that point, 16 people had reportedly had face-to-face meetings with Sasquatch by following his methods. Pretty incredible stuff. Now, Bugs' story itself is the kind of thing that stays with you. He, Bird Dog, and Jim were serious hunters who made a living supplementing their income during the winter months by hunting bobcats and coyotes at night using spotlights mounted on top of their pickup truck. They knew how to identify animals by the reflection of their eyes under the light, which is a skill that comes from countless nights in the field. Cows had wide-set, reddish eyes. Deer looked different. But one night, coming around a bend near Elm Creek in ranch country, their lights caught a set of eyes that were unlike anything they'd ever seen. The eyes were described as a furious red, the reddest Bugs had ever encountered. The creature was crouching in a wheat field about a quarter mile from the road. All three men got out of the truck with their rifles, and what happened next is the part of the story that gets cut off in this clip. You'll have to watch or listen to the full episode to hear how it all played out. What makes this interview so compelling is the matter-of-fact way Bugs tells his story. These weren't city folks looking for attention. These were hardened Vietnam veterans who knew the outdoors, knew their weapons, and knew how to read the land. When they say they didn't know what they were looking at, that carries serious weight. Robert W. Morgan himself is a fascinating figure in Sasquatch research. He's been connected to numerous investigations over the years and has dedicated decades of his life to the subject. His presence on this call adds a layer of credibility and curiosity, as he listens intently and occasionally chimes in with his own knowledge. Art Bell, of course, was the king of late-night paranormal radio. His ability to draw out these kinds of stories from ordinary people was unmatched, and this episode is a perfect example of why his shows became legendary. The way he handles the conversation, letting Bugs tell his story while weaving in Morgan's expertise, is radio gold. If you're a fan of old-school Sasquatch lore, this one is absolutely worth your time. The full episode is available on YouTube, and trust me, you'll want to hear every minute of it.