Real or not, Bigfoot gets protection in Whitehall

By Jason Rowe

Whitehall — If you were planning a Bigfoot hunting expedition in the village anytime soon, you're out of luck: The village board has approved a resolution that makes it illegal to hunt the elusive creature.

Although the resolution does not carry any statutory penalty for killing the long-sought-after beast, Paul Bartholomew, a researcher who has studied local Bigfoot sightings, said it marks a significant step toward recognizing the local Bigfoot legend.

"It's a way for the community to embrace the phenomenon," Bartholomew said.

The resolution is similar to an ordinance Port Henry passed to protect "Champ," the elusive Lake Champlain monster.

Bartholomew said Port Henry has seen a bump in tourism because of the legend of Champ, and he said the same thing could happen in Whitehall.

That would be fine with Mayor Patricia Norton.

"I think it is going to be great for tourism," Norton said. "There are people who do believe."

The legend already has brought a crew from the Outdoor Life Network to Whitehall to film a segment for the network's Mysterious Encounters series. The segment aired last fall.

From: The Post-Star (NY), 20th February 2004.