Interview with Bigfoot Writer Linda Coil-Suchy

Dec 16, 2008 in Paranormal Interviews

An Interview with Linda Coil-Suchy

by Annette Munnich

Linda Coil-Suchy is a Bigfoot phenomenon writer with a new book coming out in early 2009 called “WHO’S WATCHING YOU?” Her book is filled with fascinating Bigfoot accounts including her own personal story as well as what she learned from her grandmother as a child. I am very happy to have this opportunity to ask a few questions.

The Interview

Annette: Linda how did you get interested in Bigfoot phenomenon?

Linda: My interest began with my grandmother, who beginning in 1959 had an ongoing experience with a Sasquatch raiding her garden. Gram, as I called her, grew and maintained a huge and bountiful garden. To quote from my book: “She was a green thumb beyond belief. Everything she planted sprung from the ground in profusion.” Add this to the fruit trees that grew on the property and there was no wonder that a Sasquatch would be tempted to return time and again to partake in her little paradise.

Since I was a little girl, Gram would tell me of her experiences, many of which are documented in my book in a story about her. Growing up with these stories and being accepting of them, I tended to take her experience for granted and did not pay as much attention as I now wish I would have. It wasn’t until the early 1970s while living at the Ft. Lewis military installation in Washington that I began to hear sighting reports from soldiers stationed there — at the time this was a hot spot for encounters, and soon a stronger interest began to form. But it was the summer of 1976 when I had my own encounter that I began to take Bigfoot seriously and my own personal research truly began.

My own experience consisted of hearing and smelling a Bigfoot. I was home alone one hot summer night, sleeping with the bedroom window open. At 1:00 a.m. my dog whining near the window awakened me. I heard heavy footsteps walking alongside the house and past my window — very heavy footsteps — and I was suddenly accosted by an extremely foul smell. The best I can compare the smell to is rotten decaying chicken or meat. I had a garage that was attached to the house; this thing went into the garage and began to rummage around making a lot of noise. My dog, a golden lab named Big-dog, went and sat in front of the kitchen door that led into the garage while I stood behind him holding an unloaded rifle (as I had no bullets). Big, who was an excellent and fearless guard dog, acted totally out of character and neither barked nor growled the whole time; he simply whined and cocked his head back and forth while listening to the ruckus in the garage. In the ten minutes time or less that the thing was in the garage it rummaged through my freezer, moved the freezer, threw heavy things around and made a huge mess (although nothing was missing the next day when I checked). Then it left just as quickly as it came. I had no phone at the time so I couldn’t call the police. I sat up the rest of the night holding my useless shotgun. In the morning it was all over the news and the radio that at 1:30 in the morning, only half and hour after the incident at my place, two security guards and two police officers had spotted a Bigfoot at the small airport just down the street from where I lived. They chased this smelly creature into the woods where they soon lost sight of it, as it was too quick for them. I then knew what had been at my house that night.

Months prior to this there had been a series of sightings on the Lummi Indian reservation in Whatcom County. Three Bigfoot had terrorized the reservation for weeks –witnessed by many people including several Lummi Police officers. To begin my investigations I found and interviewed many of the witnesses from that incident. From this experience I began to slowly learn how to interview — what to ask and what to look for. In doing so I developed a strong desire to know the truth and what exactly these things are!

Annette: What are the hot spots for sightings?

Linda: My opinion (and this is only MY opinion) is that the heavily forested areas of the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California to Western Canada and Alaska provide the best opportunities for spotting Bigfoot. Although sighting and track reports abound throughout most of North America, the vast wilderness of the Pacific Northwest has the most documented cases and reports of sightings. Thousands of miles of dense forests provide thick cover for these elusive creatures. This wilderness is so vast, inaccessible and unexplored that to quote the great researcher Peter Byrne: “Fifty-four airplanes, missing since World War II, have yet to be found.” Food sources abound year round to support whole families of Bigfoot who could easily survive with very few hardships.

Annette: What’s the difference between a Bigfoot, a Yeti, and a Sasquatch?

Linda: My answer in a nutshell is… “The name and the location.” The “Yeti” or Abominable Snowman is an apelike cryptid said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Napal and Tibet. The name “Sasquatch” (hairy giants) is an anglicized version of the Indian term “Saskehavis” (wild man). The term “Bigfoot” was used by people in Northern California. It became the common name for the creature in the United States in 1958 after huge footprints were found in Humboldt County, California, and the story subsequently distributed by the Associated Press. The same or similar creatures are said to exist around the world under different regional names.

Annette: What led you to decide to write a book?

Linda: Several years ago I decided to write and document my Grams story for my grandchildren. It was a hit with family and friends and everyone kept telling me it should be in a book. There are many books written on the subject and not being a scientist I was unsure of what I could bring to the table and offer in a new way. So I put out a call over the internet asking people what they would want to see in a book about Bigfoot, and what questions they might want answered. Well, the response was amazing! Over a period of a couple of years I heard from approximately 8,000 people. After knowing what they wanted I just had to write the book, and this book is for them.

I have learned a lot in my years of sporadic research, but I am no expert, not by a long shot. Actually no one is an expert, nor can they be at this time. But there are those who know much (much more than I know), so I contacted the best researchers, scientists, and professors to answer the questions that the people really want to know. Those in the Bigfoot Community are a wonderful group of professionals that I feel honored to know and work with. Those researchers and scientists, as listed in my book, came forward to graciously offer their help and advice and gave selflessly of their precious time. And I am forever grateful.

Annette: What are your personal theories and beliefs about Bigfoot?

Linda: I believe them to be very intelligent, much more than we believe. Despite the old tales of violent acts that may well have been embellished by the media in those days, I believe them to be friendly and peaceful beings. In all my years of interviewing eyewitnesses I have never once heard a report of anyone being harmed by a forest giant. The stories you hear of them throwing rocks and making loud, aggressive and frightening noises I believe are only attempts at scaring folks away from their territory or that particular area — perhaps to scare you away from a food source or because they have family members nearby. If you don’t leave after they make a big ruckus and perhaps a big stink as well, they will retreat and leave. They do not want to cause harm. If they did they very well could and we would hear of it. That’s not to say that they would not fight back if forced to protect a family member. But hopefully no human would ever be heartless enough to put them in that position. They deserve to be left alone and live in peace just as we wish for the same. I believe them to have emotions and they are fair and unselfish. I believe that one of their favorite things to do is to WATCH us (people), especially the young males of the species. They seem to be overly curious creatures who like to watch while we camp and go about our business, they like to peek in our windows, and watch our children at play. Hence the name for my book, “Who’s Watching You?”

What are they and where they come from? I can’t offer a worthy guess. I listen to the professors and scientists whose opinions over rule any theories I might form. I am still contemplating. There is much to contemplate.

Annette: What should people do if they see one? Have people ever been harmed by a Bigfoot? Who should they call to report a sighting?

Linda: If you should happen to have a camera with you please try to get one on film! Most people are so shocked when seeing one that they forget they have a camera until it’s to late! If you do run into one it will most likely quickly leave the area, after which I suggest you look for footprints, hair on branches or scat (any evidence to prove what you just encountered). If you should come face to face with one who does not appear to want to leave (which is highly unlikely), I would stand very still and do nothing aggressive. Offer him a candy bar or treat if you have one! If he should show signs that he wants you to leave the area, I would respect that and immediately leave.

Other than the Classic Bigfoot horror stories of old, and those that are covered in my book, I do not know of any recent incidents of violence perpetrated by these seemingly gentle giants.

If you have a sighting to report there are many qualified researchers in your area who will be more than happy to listen and document your experience. And in most cases they will go to the location to look for evidence. If prints are found, casts may be taken. If you make your report to the police or the forest department, do not be surprised if they brush you off and don’t take you seriously, or they tell you that they believe you but to please just go home and forget all about it. If you have gathered hair or other evidence, please do not give it to them, you will never see it again nor will you hear of any conclusions that resulted from it. Please get it to a qualified researcher or scientist in the Bigfoot community. Many are listed in my book, can be found on the web, or contact me and I will see to it that you get a name for your area.

Annette: Is the Bigfoot the missing link between ape and man?

Linda: At this point in research an answer to this question would be purely speculation. How many human traits or ape like traits they have are still in question. For almost as many scientists and researchers there are, there are as many theories and opinions as to what Bigfoot are and where they come from. To quote the great researcher Peter Byrne: “I refrain from calling them animals because of the very significant physical attributes which strongly suggest they are hominids, including upright stance, bipedal locomotion, white coloration in the eye, and according to credible eyewitnesses, something very close to a human face.”

Annette: Are there certain times of the year or certain conditions that seem to correspond with increased Bigfoot sightings?

Linda: Although sightings are reported at all times of the year and in all kinds of weather conditions, I would think that more sightings are reported in the spring and summer months, at least this is what my documented sightings show. And this may be only because there are more people out and about in the forests at that particular time of the year to be available to have a sighting. But this is debatable as many sightings have occurred while people were out in the snow in the dead of winter, while hiking in the spring, camping in the summer months, and while hunting or picking mushrooms in the fall. Many sightings have occurred on private property at all times of the year, during storms and all kinds of weather conditions and in all parts of the country. Another interesting note is that most eyewitnesses were not looking for Sasquatch or hoping to have a sighting when it happened. It seems to be that many people don’t find Bigfoot; rather, it seems to find them.

Annette: Please tell us a little about your book plus where we can buy it.

Linda: “Who’s Watching You?” is due for release in early 2009. It contains over seventy highly credible and detailed Bigfoot eyewitness reports/incidents — “Our vast forests will take on a whole new meaning!” Also included are answers to the questions that people in general would like to see addressed in the form of exclusive interviews with the major scientists and high-profile researchers currently involved in the Bigfoot arena. The introductory chapter is Gram’s story of her adventures with a Sasquatch; this heart-warming story will help to heal the Bigfoot phenomenon. The “Classic” section contains historical Bigfoot accounts; many guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, as well as a chapter of some of the most bizarre Bigfoot occurrences on record. Of special interest is a pictorial presentation of the first, the best, and the only related to the Sasquat/Bigfoot issue. There are over 150 photos including a special color section showing photographs of some of the best evidence collected to date. For travelers, there is an illustrated guide to Bigfoot attractions and places of interest to explore in the West. And more! Keep in mind that thousands of people came forward with their input, their most requested questions and their experiences to make this book a valuable resource – it is, “by the people and for the people.”

The book will be available by spring of 2009. You can order the book from Hancock House Publishers – Phone (604) 538-1114 or Toll Free number 1-800-938-1114 – or you can find them on the web (www.hancockhouse.com). You can also purchase a copy directly from me, especially should you wish an autographed copy. Please contact me at bigfootstory@yahoo.com.

Thank you, it’s been a pleasure.

My Best, Linda Coil-Suchy