EVERGLADES SKUNK APERESEARCH FIELD GUIDE

WRITTEN BY: DAVID SHEALY

CONTENTS

SKUNK APE EXPERT 1

THE ARTIST 2

RESEARCH TIPS & GENERAL INFO 3 -9

PLANNING AN EXPEDITION 10-13

EXPEDITION CHECK LIST 12

BAITING METHODS 14-16

FIELD NOTES.. -.17

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DAVE SHEALYSKUNK APE EXPERT

Dave Shealy was born September 28, 1963. He has spent his entire lifeliving in the Everglades. His family history in the Everglades can be tracedback to 1891. As far back as Dave can remember rumors circulated aroundtown of a creature covered with hair, standing upright; like a man and smellinglike a skunk. At the age of 10 while hunting with his brother Jack, Dave had hisfirst encounter with what the locals referred to as a Skunk Ape.

Dave has spent the last 30 years investigating sightings, collecting dataand researching these elusive creatures. To date, Dave has had a total of threeconfirmed Skunk Ape sightings and collected valuable information in regards toSkunk Ape habitat and density. He estimates that between 7 & 9 Skunk Apesexist in the Florida Everglades. Dave's research takes him to some of the mostremote areas in South Florida. The Everglades is a very harsh environment anddifficult to traverse. He often spends weeks at a time conducting research inthese remote areas.

Dave's hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. His researchhas gained the attention of most all major news broadcast organizations,including broadcast organizations abroad. He has appeared on the TravelChannel and the Learning Channel, Unsolved Mysteries. In addition he hasdone numerous radio broadcast worldwide and has been the feature story onmany publications such as Readers Digest, Roadside America, Florida Livingand several highly publicized magazines. He also participated in filming adocumentary for Florida International University, which gained worldwideattention. In 2007, Dave was featured across Europe on a very well knownpublic television show entitled "My America" bringing attention to theEverglades and it's fragile eco system and the few remaining Skunk Apes thatexist there.

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THE ARTISTKELLY CHESSER

Kelly Chesser is a Florida native, born February 3,1961. Although Kelly has never seen a Skunk Ape, hisillustrations are based on eyewitness accounts. As farback as elementary school in Fruitville, Florida, he canvividly recall countless stories and descriptions ofwhat the local children called the "Bogey Man". Kellyhas spent years honing his skills as a sketch artist. Theillustrations in this book give valuable insight intoSkunk Ape behavior and anatomy. Kelly is also anaccomplished sculptor whose life like, one of a kindcreations have appeared on network television andseveral news publications.

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RESEARCH TIPS & GENERALINFORMATION

It is estimated between 7 to 9 Skunk Apes live inthe Everglades area. Skunk Apes are bi-pedal; meaningthey walk on two legs. Castings of their tracks confirmthey have four toes. Male Skunk Apes stand up to 7 feettall and can weigh more than 350 pounds. Females areconsiderably smaller, standing 5 -6 feet tall and weigh180 - 250 pounds. Both male and female are coveredwith reddish-black fur.

Skunk Apes are omnivorous. This means theirdiet consists of both meat and plants. Due to analysisof Skunk Ape droppings it is well documented duringthe months of March - May that Skunk Apes frequentwading bird nesting areas; known as rookeries feedingon flightless nestlings. Skunk Apes also capture andeat fish, reptiles and large mammals, including deerand wild hog.

A variety of edible plants also grow in theEverglades, such as the giant leather fern, cabbagepalm, pond apple, acorn, and hog plum, just to name afew. During the months of September and October ,Skunk Apes can be located in saw palmetto hammocks,feeding on their bountiful berries. During the monthsof November and December , Skunk Apes frequent oakforest in search of acorns. During the months ofJanuary and February Skunk Apes are on the movesearching for whatever is available during these coldermonths. If you are planning an expedition it is helpfulto know what food sources are in season as this willincrease your chances of an encounter.

Summer rains flood the Everglades during themonths of June , July and August, which is alsobelieved to be the mating season. In order to increaseyour chances of a sighting, an elevated platform orladder staid is recommended. Concentrate your searchefforts in open grass prairies pine lands.

Skunk Ape sightings are reported throughoutFlorida. These sightings suggest the highestconcentration inhabit the Florida Everglades. BigCypress National Preserve offers the best opportunityfor researchers to locate Skunk Apes.

IN THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE A SKUNK APE USES ASTICK TO KNOCK WADING BIRD FLEDGELINGS FROM

THEIR NEST.

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In this illustration a Skunk Ape emerges froman alligator cave. Evidence suggests that Skunk Apesspend a great deal of time in these undergroundcaverns. Many people believe that methane gas,emitted by decaying matter in these low lying areasare what gives the Skunk Ape it's uniqueskunky/rotten egg odor. Alligator caves are easilylocated in times of low water in the Everglades.Search cypress swamps and willow outcrops in thegrasslands and marsh.

Skunk Ape bedding areas are a good source ofinformation. These bedding areas often provideresearchers with hair samples, tracks and droppings.These beds can be located in dry, shady areas. Look forleaves and twigs piled approximately one foot tall andsix foot in diameter. You can estimate the population ofSkunk Apes in an area by the number of fresh beds inclose proximity of each other. If the leafy branches thatmake up the bed are green, this means the bed is fresh.In times of extremely high water Skunk Ape bedding canbe found in the boughs of trees.

IN THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE THE SKUNK APE PREPARESABED

Skunk Apes are very elusive. They also haveexceptional hearing as well as the ability to climbtrees and swim, in order to evade detection or capture.

To increase your chances for spotting a SkunkApe, search in an upwind direction moving slowlyusing trees and bushes for cover. Stop frequently andcarefully scan the area with binoculars before movingforward. It is common, however, for sightings tooccur on rural roads. In most of these cases theanimal is caught off guard and quickly clambers offinto the roadside swamp. Numerous sightings havebeen reported on Turner River Road, located in theBig Cypress National Preserve. Your plans shouldinclude searching this area.

If planning a search in Everglades NationalPark, explore the mangrove coast of the TenThousand Islands, which stretches approximately 70miles, from Everglades City to Key Largo. Over theyears, many Skunk Apes have been spotted at thewaters edge. Skunk Apes that inhabit these coastalislands aie opportunists, taking advantage of the lowtide to capture fish and crustaceans trapped in theremaining pools of water. Low tide is the best time tosearch for tracks along this deserted coast line.

Skunk Apes lead a nomadic, hunter/gathererexistence. Often times Skunk Apes are sighted inclose prodmity of large cities. In one instance, aSkunk Ape reportedly ran across 1-75 in broaddaylight. If you choose to concentrate your searchefforts near metropolitan areas , golf courses, stateand city parks offer your best opportunities, althoughthese sighting are rare.

IN THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE A SKUNK APE STEPSBEHIND A TREE TO AVOID BEING SEEN BY A PASSING

AIRBOAT

PLANNING AN EXPEDITIONThe Everglades Skunk Ape has gained world

wide attention. Researchers from around the globe visitthe Everglades hoping to get a glimpse of thesemagnificent creatures. If you are traveling to southFlorida by air, both Miami International and Fort MyersInternational Airport are in close proximity to theEverglades region and prime Skunk Ape habitat. Planto explore rural roads. U. S. 41 crosses directly throughthe Everglades from east to west. This paved highwayis recommended as there are multiple rural gravel roadsthat allow access into the interior of the Big CypressNational Preserve. Back country camping is allowedthrough the Preserve, however certain regulations doapply.

Everglades City is also in close proximity toSkunk Ape habitat. There are several smallhotels/motels for those seeking more modernaccommodations. If your plans include exploring the10,000 Islands of Everglades National Park, canoe andboat rentals are available in Everglades City. Backcountry camping is permitted in the National Park atdesignated sites only, reservations are required.

Take every opportunity to speak with the "locals"as this can be a good source of information. There aretwo tribes of Indians that live in the Everglades:Seminole and Miccosukee. These Indians considerSkunk Apes to be sacred animals. You may find theseIndians reluctant to speak about Skunk Apes. In orderto obtain any information from the Indians you mustfirst gain their trust, this may be difficult.

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Another source of information can be found atthe National Park Visitors Center. A map of the areacan be obtained over the counter. The importance of agood map can not be over emphasized. In recentyears, many roads and trails that criss-cross theEverglades have been closed to vehicular traffic.Make sure your maps are current to avoid confusion.

Many potential dangers exist in the Everglades.Poisonous insects, plants and snakes are indigenous tothe area. Loose fitting clothing is your best protectionagainst poisonous plants and insects. Snake boots area good idea but not essential. Your best defenseagainst snakes is to keep a sharp eye. Summer monthsare wet, hot muggy and buggy. Winter months aredrier cooler and breezy.

The Everglades is also home to the Floridapanther, black bear and both the American alligatorand the Florida crocodile. All of these species areprotected. Alligators, although protected are by nomeans endangered. Approximately one millionalligators inhabit Florida swamplands. Alligators haveaccounted for many human deaths throughout Floridain recent years. Never enter an alligator's cave insearch of Skunk Apes. Not only could you be trappedby submerged roots and drown, you could also bebitten and possibly dismembered or killed. The bestmethod for determining if Skunk Apes are frequentingan alligator cave is to look for tracks and droppings atthe cave's entrance. IMPORTANT NOTE: Poisonoussnakes are frequently found in the vicinity of thesewatery depressions: USE CAUTION.

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SKUNK APE EXPEDITIONCHECK LIST

Map of the AreaLadder Stand

Lima Beans ( 1 Ib. dry)Leaf RakeRope (30f)

Plaster (5 Ib.bag)Bucket (5 gal.w/handle)

BinocularsPocket Knife

Ladder stands come in many varieties and canbe purchased at most sporting goods stores. Beaware, comfort is very important. Ladder stands notonly give an advantage of a better view, they also keephuman scent up and away from wildlife. These standsare useful in keeping your feet dry and offer some pro-tection from insects due to their height. In order toprevent injury, always wear a safety harness. Mostmodern ladder stands come equipped with this device.If not included, purchase separately. Plan on spendingmany hours or days in your ladder stand using fieldglasses to scan the Everglades' vast horizon.

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Locating tracks in standing water is virtuallyimpossible. The majority of the Everglades is floodedwith water during the summer months. Under theseconditions look for trails through parted grass. Freshtrails can be identified two ways. If a Skunk Ape hasrecently moved through, the water in the trail willappear muddy. The second way would be to scan thesurface of the water for bubbles. For researchersarriving during these summer months, locating highground is difficult but not impossible. Pine lands andpalmetto hammocks are slightly more elevated thanthe flat grasslands. The remainder of the year isconsiderably drier and allows for more opportunity tolocate tracks.

As mentioned in the expedition check list, ittakes approximately five pounds of plaster in order tocast a single track. Once you have located the tracksof a Skunk Ape, they can be easily identified by theirprominent four toes and rounded heel. Tracks range insize from 7-18 inches. Clear away any leaves thathave fallen into the tracks. A stick border should bebuilt around the tracks to prevent plaster run off.Using the five gallon bucket, mix plaster according todirections. It is very important to use fresh, cleanwater. Never use brackish or salt water as this couldcause the track to disintegrate over time. Allow plasterto harden for at least two hours. Use caution whenlifting your cast. Suction occurs under certainconditions. Using a pocket knife, clean the dirt outfrom around and beneath the track. This should causethe suction to break, allowing easy removal.

BAITING METHODSThe use of bait is highly controversial and is

illegal in National Parks and stated owned preserves.Baiting should only take place on private propertywith the property owner's permission. Excessivebaiting over an extended period of time can causeSkunk Apes to ignore natural food sources. It isimportant for these animals to eat a variety of food inorder to maintain a healthy population. Excessivebaiting is not recommended.

Never bait near roads or highways as this couldplace Skunk Apes in danger. Skunk Apes have a goodmemory and will repeatedly return to a bait site fordays after the bait has been removed from the area.Most researchers have good intentions and wouldnever think of harming these animals. Unfortunately,there are people who would like nothing better than toshoot one of these magnificent creatures. If yourattempts at baiting are successful, wait at least fivedays before telling anyone. This will allow enoughtime for the Skunk Ape to leave the area.

There are many baits to choose from. If youplan to use deer liver, remember this should be kept onice until your site is chosen. Important note: Buzzardsare also attracted to this bait. Deer liver should onlybe used immediately following an actual sighting.Some success has been reported with the use of grain;such as whole kernel corn, rice, even dog food.Unmistakably the best baits available are dry beans.Black eye peas, pinto and kidney beans all work well,however large lima beans are the recommended baitand should be considered your first choice.

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There are three different methods that can beused in preparing a bean set. The first method is thedry bean set. This type bean set is the longest lastingand should be applied in areas where Skunk Apesoccasionally frequent. Depending upon weatherconditions, dry lima beans can be effective up to onemonth. Make sure the ground you have chosen is highand dry to prevent spoiling of the bean. Clear an area10' x 10' square. Remove all dead leaves, limbs andgrass. Using the rake mentioned in the expeditioncheck list, rake the area to loosen the soil. Removeany remaining debris such as roots. Spreadapproximately 1 pound of large dry lima beans evenlywhile standing outside the 10 x 10 cleared area.

The second method is a wet bean set. In thismethod, soak 1 pound of lima beans in 8 cups of water,overnight, using the 5 gallon bucket again mentionedin the expedition check list. Some researchers opt tocarry metal cooking pots in order to heat the beansover a fire to speed up this process. Never add saltpork or bacon, as this can draw buzzards, which coulddestroy your bait set. The Wet bean set is proven to bemore effective. The reason for this is the beans sour,giving off an odor which is appealing to Skunk Apes.Site preparation is the same as in the dry bean setexcept that wet beans should be dumped in a singlepile directly in the center of the cleared area. Using arake, cover any footprints you have made after settingthe bait. Wet bean sets seem to lose their appeal after5 days.

In the third method, the hanging bean set, thebait is left in the bucket or pot and is hung from a treelimb.

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The hanging bean set should be used on windydays. Position the bucket directly over the center ofthe area that has been properly prepared for trackcollection. Using the tree limb as a hoist, lift bucketto approximately 6 feet. This added height allowsscent to be carried over great distances and alsoprevents consumption by buzzards. If you choose touse a hanging bean set, salt pork or bacon is optional.

Baiting should only take place as a method ofcollecting tracks, hair samples and a possiblephotograph. Leg traps are strictly prohibited. Snaremethods should never be used as they to could causeinjury to Skunk Apes. The use of tranquilizer guns isnot recommended and is subject to regulations.

Hopefully, the information contained in thisbook has given some insight into Skunk Apes. At thistime it appears a colony capable of reproducinginhabits South Florida woodlands. It is important thatthese animals be protected for future generations.Any evidence collected should be considered valuableand reported to the local authorities, immediately.

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FIELD NOTES

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