Bigfoot Research Rebranded: NAWAC's Scientific Approach with Mike Mays

In a recent episode of the Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast, hosts Cliff and Bobo sat down with author Michael Mayes to discuss his new book, "Valley of the Apes." The book, which was released on June 1st, tells the story of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy (NAWAC) and their efforts to study and document the existence of wood apes, also known as Bigfoot. Mayes, who is the author of the book and a member of the NAWAC, discussed the history of the organization and its evolution from the Texas Bigfoot Research Center (TBRC) to its current form. He also talked about the group's focus on scientific research and their efforts to dispel the stigma associated with the study of Bigfoot. One interesting aspect of the conversation was the group's rebranding effort from TBRC to NAWAC. Mayes explained that the name change was an attempt to attract more serious academics and scientists to the field by distancing themselves from the more fringe elements of Bigfoot research. This is something that I think many Bigfoot enthusiasts can relate to, as the field is often associated with sensationalism and pseudoscience. Another interesting point that Mayes made was the group's shift in focus from reactively responding to sightings to proactively seeking out evidence of wood apes. He explained that the group began to notice that they would often start to see activity on the second or third night of a camping trip, but by the time they had to leave, the activity would stop. This led them to theorize that the wood apes were waiting them out, and that longer stays might yield more evidence. Overall, the conversation was a fascinating look into the world of Bigfoot research and the efforts being made to study and document the existence of these elusive creatures. If you're interested in learning more about the NAWAC and their work, I highly recommend checking out Mayes' book, "Valley of the Apes." And of course, if you're a Bigfoot enthusiast, be sure to check out the Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast for more great conversations like this one.