What Goes in a Bigfoot DNA Collection Kit

Shelley Covington Prefers to call it a Wildlife DNA Collection Kit

"I don't call it it a Bigfoot DNA collection kit, it's a wildlife DNA collection kit, when doing research, we shouldn't assume all the evidence we find is bigfoot, bigfoot should be the last thing we assume." --Shelly Covington, Cryptozoologist

The Olympic Project Bigfoot Expeditions are incubators for sharing sasquatch research innovations and ideas. this last expedition with Dr. Jeff Meldrum and premier cryptozoologist Adam Davies was no different.

We have plenty of bigfoot news and other material to provide you with this week from the expedition, including Adam Davies' methodology for creating an interaction and perimeter with a Bigfoot. For now, we wanted to share one of the most thoughtful tools in bigfoot research, a wildlife DNA collection kit.

Shelly Covington co-hosts CryptoLogic, an online radio show that has introduces a special guest each episode and has a round-table approach to the format. As you can imagine I listen to lots of Bigfoot talk shows, I just spent the last two days catching up to CryptoLogic and became an instant fan of the approach and format. I also want to give a shout out to the other co-host Shane Corson. between Shelly and Shane,  CryptoLogic is not to be missed.

When talking to Shelly, who has endless innovative ideas and approached to bigfooting, explains why she prefers to leave bigfoot out of the name of her kit. "I don't call it it a Bigfoot DNA collection kit, it's a wildlife DNA collection kit, when doing research, we shouldn't assume all the evidence we find is bigfoot, bigfoot should be the last thing we assume." Below is a video of Shelly walking through her DNA collection kit at the end of the video is Cryptozoologist and Autor Adam Davies giving his approval.

Dr. Jeff Meldrum and Adam Davies at the Olympic Project Bigfoot Expedition

The next Olympic Project Bigfoot Expedition is June 5th through the 8th

UPDATE: The image above was meant as an homage to the original Olympic Project logo designed by Paul Graves. I thought I would have fun and create one specifically for the Bigfoot Expeditions. On Paul's request I would like to credit the small portion of the altered mountain illustration in the background to Russ Hepler, an eyewitness Paul commissioned for the illustration.

The next Olympic Project Bigfoot Expedition (June 5th ~ 8th) will include prominent Sasquatch researchers; the roster includes Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Adam Davies and as always Derek Randles' Olympic Project Team.

Dr. Jeff Meldrum is a scientist with impeccable academic credentials. With his appearance on the Discovery Channel special and the release of his companion book, Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, he elevated the Sasquatch public discussion. A conversation that was too often dismissed as paranormal or disreputable. During the Olympic Project Bigfoot Expeditions, Dr. Jeff Meldrum is approachable and quick to share new frontiers in the academic progress of Bigfoot research.

Although Adam Davies is best known by bigfooters for his pioneering research on the Orang Pendek, he has traveled the world in search of several cryptids. In his book, Extreme Expeditions, he documents his Indiana Jones-esque adventures of being shot at in the Congo, arrested and interrogated by the Mongolian army, and filmed the Norwegian Nessie. 

Don't miss the opportunity to spend four days with these individuals. 

Email Derek at ridgewalkers@ymail.com to get details on the next expedition!

Beyond the opportunity to pick the brain of the biggest researchers out there, Derek Randles promises, "These are educational, hands on expeditions with ample field time, on and off trail hiking and tracking, and several classes targeting more productive, more effective research techniques and evidence documentation. If you attend one of these trips, you will not be disappointed."

We have attended over a half of dozen of these expeditions and learned something new each time, met serious like-minded Bigfoot researches, and built relationships that will last forever.

Email Derek at ridgewalkers@ymail.com to get details on the next expedition!

A Master Class in Bigfooting

As we said earlier, with knowledgeable researchers like Derek Randles, Adam Davies and Dr. Jeff Meldrum, it is like a master class on the best techniques and newest ideas in Bigfoot research. These experts are approachable all weekend and are happy to field questions. If you have your own theories you want to share this is the best place to get feedback. Read one of our first reviews at, "Olympic Project as a Masterclass in Bigfooting".

The Best New Ideas in Bigfoot Research Start At the Olympic Project Expeditions

Cliff Barackman (far left) and Dr. Jeff Meldrum (far right) will be speaking on the weekend of March 21st

The best ideas and the latest techniques germinate at the Olympic Project expeditions. As we have reported before Olympic Project Expedition host, Derek Randles, offers a masterclass in Bigfoot research. Due to the rescheduling of a few attendees a few spots have opened up for next week's upcoming expedition. 

Email Derek at ridgewalkers@ymail.com to get details on the next expedition!

Well Led Expeditions

We can tell you from personal experience (we have been to four of these)  that these expeditions are hosted and led with a team of experts who are attentive to all attendees. Even though the group of attendees differs during each weekend expedition, Derek and his team fosters the same environment of camaraderie. 

You can also choose how ambitious you want to be, there is always a hike (day or night) to participate in, or you can relax in the main cabin next to the fire and chat with other Bigfoot Enthusiast. More details in our first review of  Derek Randles and the Olympic Project Expeditions

Email Derek at ridgewalkers@ymail.com to get details on the next expedition!

A Master Class in Bigfooting

As we said earlier, with knowledgeable researchers like Derek Randles, Cliff Barackman and Dr. Jeff Meldrum, it is like a master class on the best techniques and newest ideas in Bigfoot research. These experts are approachable all weekend and are happy to field questions. If you have your own theories you want to share this is the best place to get feedback. More details on the Olympic Project as a Masterclass in Bigfooting.

Make sure you email Derek and get in on next week's expedition! It is a rare treat to be among a limited amount of attendees who have access to these experts for a whole weekend. 

Email Derek at ridgewalkers@ymail.com to get details on the next expedition!

The March 2013 Olympic Project Expedition Attendees.

Olympic Project: A Masterclass in Bigfooting

(Left to Right: Cliff Barackman, Jeff Wrolson, Derek Randles and Dr. Jeff Meldrum
Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Broughton )

Fan's you know some of the best and most organized research is being lead by Derek Randles through the Olympic Project organization he co-founded.

We have had the fortune of attending two Olympic Project weekend expeditions and each time it is like taking a master class in Bigfooting. Click the following link to read about the March 2013 Olympic Expedition with Cliff Barackman.

Last May continued the momentum with the return of Cliff Barackman and the addition of Dr. Jeff Meldrum!! This was truly a master class in Bigfooting. Dr. Meldrum was approachable as always, and did a novel presentation. It was almost an extended version of his new Sasquatch Field Guide (Folding Pocket Guide). 

The expeditions take place in the Olympic Peninsula, the most diverse region you will ever do field research in. In fact we can't resist, we have to say it, "It's squatchy!"

Derek and his team make sure there is plenty of optional activities. Day hikes, night hikes, big groups, small groups. There are even people who stay behind in the main lodge to talk Bigfoot with. 

Icing on the cake? Finding Bigfoot's Cliff Barackman demonstrating how to cast a footprint. 

Cliff Barackman demonstrating casting techniques | Photo courtesy of Derek Randles

Future Dates and Speakers include:

June 7th, 8th, 9th Guest speaker Dr Jeff Meldrum.

July 12th, 13, 14th Guest speaker Dr Jeff Meldrum with Dr Matthew Johnson.

Still time to register for this weekends expedition in the Olympic national forest with the Olympic Project Ridge Walkers Unlimited!! Dr Jeff Meldrum will be in field with us for entire trip. For more info contact Derek Randles at The Olympic Project Website or e-mail ridgewalkers@ymail.com

Derek Randles and the Olympic Project Expeditions

The March 2013 Olympic Project Expedition Attendees (click to enlarge)

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining Cliff Barackman and Craig Flipy on a weekend adventure in the Olympic Rainforest. Our destination? The Olympic Project Expedition hosted by Derek Randles and Ridge Walkers Unlimited.

If you are a serious Bigfoot researcher you have heard of Derek Randles. If you are a fortunate Bigfoot researcher you get to spend time out in the field with him. My first time meeting Derek was when we investigated the Elbe Trackway.

Seeing Derek again at the Olympic Project Expedition reminded me of the same qualities I admired when doing field work with him. The man seems to always be prepared for every eventuality and is concerned that everyone is content. This part of his personality carries over into the Olympic Project Expedition. Derek constantly checked on all the attendees making sure they were having a good time and expectations managed. Whether we were lounging or going out on hikes, it was clear Derek was going to make sure everybody was going to enjoy the expedition.

If you get a chance I recommend participating in one of these Olympic Project Expeditions, his camp is close to just about any type of Bigfoot habitat you could think of, it is nestled right in Bigfoot's backyard. You can get more details at TheOlympicProject.com.

Along with many classes such as, track casting, Forensic DNA gathering, Wilderness survival, audio recording and Backpacking 101, there will also be presentations from the top names in Bigfoot research. These trips have already raised the bar in research expeditions integrating the scientific method into field research and evidence documentation.

Future Speakers Include:

May 10th, 11th, 12th Guest speaker Dr Jeff Meldrum and Paul Graves
June 7th, 8th, 9th Guest speaker Dr Jeff Meldrum.
July 12th, 13, 14th Guest speaker Dr Jeff Meldrum with Dr Matthew Johnson.


Derek Randles says it best in the video below.