Bigfoot trap facts for kids
The Bigfoot trap is a special wooden box located in a forest in Oregon, near the California border. It was built in 1974. People hoped it would catch Bigfoot, a mysterious ape-like creature. Bigfoot is said to live in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. The trap never caught Bigfoot. It was left alone in the early 1980s.
Today, the United States Forest Service takes care of the trap. It is a unique sight along the Collings Mountain hiking trail. Hundreds of people visit it every year.
About the Bigfoot Trap
The Bigfoot trap is a large wooden box. It measures about 10 feet by 10 feet (about 3 meters by 3 meters). It is made from strong wooden planks. Heavy metal bands hold the planks together. The trap is secured to the ground with large telephone poles.
How the Trap Was Built
The U.S. Forest Service gave permission to build the trap. Its location was once very remote. Now, a road is nearby because of the Applegate Dam. The trap's door has been open since 1980. This is for visitor safety.
The Trap's Story
The North American Wildlife Research Team (NAWRT) built the trap in 1974. This group was based in Eugene, Oregon. They were inspired by a miner named Perry Lovell. He lived near the Applegate River. Lovell claimed he found 18-inch-long human-like footprints in his garden.
NAWRT used the trap for six years. They kept it baited with animal carcasses. However, they only caught bears. The Bigfoot trap was eventually left alone. It started to fall apart. In 2006, the U.S. Forest Service began to fix it. They did this through a program called "Passport in Time."
The trap has become a popular tourist attraction. Many people visit it each year. At least one movie has even been filmed there.
See also
- Bigfoot in popular culture
