Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

NY State Claims There's No Bigfoot, Still Refuses To Ban Bigfoot Hunting


By

Ben Yakas

Published Nov 21, 2012

Modified Nov 21, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Ben Yakas

Published Nov 21, 2012

Modified Nov 21, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

We all know there are plenty of things out there that can't be explained by mere science—but NY state has gone out of its way to take a stance on the rarely-seen Bigfoot. The chief of the Department of Environmental Conservation claims that "there is no such animal anywhere in the world"—and yet, they refuse to ban Bigfoot hunting. Could it be that the government really just wants to capture and/or kill Bigfoot before you do? Or perhaps they're involved in some sort of Bigfootpayola with the Finding Bigfoot hunters?

Here's what DEC Chief Wildlife Biologist Gordon Batcheller wrote in response to Peter Wierner, the founder of the Chautauqua Lake Bigfoot Expo, who had written them urging that they write non-hunting regulations on Bigfoot:

The mythical animal does not exist in nature or otherwise. I understand, however, that some well organized hoaxes or pranks have occurred, leading some people to believe that such an animal does live. However, the simple truth of the matter is that there is no such animal anywhere in the world. I am sorry to disappoint you. However, no program or action in relation to mythical animals is warranted.

Previously, the DEC had implied that no official regulations would actually be beneficial for any potential Bigfoots, which this new letter seems to negate. As the NY Times puts it, the Bigfoot population has been left startlingly vulnerable now. Although, that just means Bigfoot is in the same league as irony-hating NY Times writers.

Tagged

animals

bigfoot

conspiracy

legends

monsters

myths

official stories


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say

The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

and

Ann Givens

Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET


Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.

Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

News

Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.

Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.

By

Brittany Kriegstein


Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con

By

Jessica Gould

What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC

By

Karen Yi

DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC

By

Elizabeth Kim

,

Brigid Bergin

and

Ben Feuerherd


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .