Finding tracks in the Big Woods is an interesting adventure in itself. Giants are extremely careful where they step. This must take years of practice to develop this behavior into an almost sub conscience act every time they move. Forest litter is very thick within the woods and it takes the most avid of researchers to spot depressions in the leaves. Even then, a track cast is unlikely to be defined. Soft areas around water would be ideal if the Giants were not so cautious. It is a fortunate day, however, when a track is spotted. Tracks are like photos to me where I must see clear definition. Armadillo, hogs and weather can create depressions that will attract attention.

This track was photographed in Angelina county, Texas on Lake Sam Rayburn. I found it in a marshy area that was reported by local fishermen to have large nests along the banks of this particular inlet. I did not locate the nests but found this track instead. Rocks in the track and weather had obliterated the definition so this track was not cast.

Is there a conspiracy at this state park. Two weeks after a sighting was reported outside this Texas state park, the sighting area was covered in these strange spots. Depressions were quickly filled in with dirt that was left by the roadside. At first sight, one would think they were fire ant mounds but a researcher from the Conroe Texas area stopped to further investigate and discovered these were actual foot print depressions filled in with a dirt not native to the surrounding area. Following the tracks, we observed that there seemed to several traveling from one side of the road to the other. Digging the dirt out of the tracks revealed our worst suspicions. The tracks were longer than our own foot prints and much deeper. Equestrian trails are common in the area but these were not horse tracks. These covered tracks were found at the exact location of the sighting two weeks prior. As you can see in the photo to the right, the tracks continue for several yards into the woods.

Other items noted on this follow up investigation were the destruction of certain formations that were found two weeks prior before the sighting. Gray striped forestry tape hung in the area instead.There is no doubt that Giants inhabit this area. I have to commend the park officials for attempting to protect the anonymity of the Giants that live there. Since the sighting report came out the area was grossly over researched.

Tracks can come with a variation of numbers of toes. Five, three, even two have been found. No one knows why there are so many variations. Genetics could play a part as well as environment. The photo to the right represents only half of the tracks presented at a Lake Tawakoni expedition in 2003. Most of these tracks were cast by Texas researchers. There were two full picnic tables full of track casts. It was an impressive sight.

This two toed cast was taken on the banks of Sam Rayburn Lake. There were originally two casts, one of each foot. The other foot cast broke because it was casted over a tree root. Both were curved and bore two large toes. It has been thought that curved tracks are females but there has not been enough evidence to support the theory over all.

Luke Gross is a seasoned researcher having been in the field for over 12 years. He was the original founder of several research organizations and is a true leader in our community. Luke is an experienced woodsman and has an awesome perspective when it comes to the Giants. Luke is a talented writer, creator and artist. I hope to be exhibiting some of his work in the future. I count Luke as a close and trusted friend and associate. There are but a few people who share the same page of thought with me but Luke is one of them. I am honored to know him.

In the photo, Luke is exhibiting two of the tracks he casted at the Sulphur River in Texas. One is an adult and the smaller a child. To find out more about this find, visit Luke's site at:

http://www.webjam.com/northeasttexasbigoot/field_notes

Black bears are not common in the east Texas area. In my search for sign, I have never found any sign of bear even though there is reportedly some bear in the area. This track was found in the Kiamichi mountains of Oklahoma in McCurtain county. Although we found no tracks of the Giants, we did find an abundance of bear tracks.

Each researcher has their own casting technique but overall, casting is very easy. The casts in these pictures were done with plaster of paris. Now dental plaster is more widely used because of the smoothness of the batter to better capture possible dermal ridges and the curing time is faster. When out searching for tracks, it is wise to take along a large bottle of water and a gallon zip lock bag of plaster. You can mix the plaster in the bag, saving you from carrying additional supplies.You want to make sure the batter is runny like pancake batter. Once you plaster is ready, prepare the track by carefully removing debris. If removing debris may compromise the track, leave it; it will add to the authenticity. Carefully fill the track. Overfilling is all right too but exact is better. Fill to the brim and smooth out with a stick or finger .. Because it was a heavy rain during this cast, she covered it with a garbage bag to allow it to cure.