So there's this really cool interview that popped up on YouTube from the channel Jail Bait and Tackle Outdoors, and it's got the Sasquatch research community buzzing. The host sat down with Jason from Papa Squatch Productions, and let me tell you, this conversation is packed with interesting details for anyone following the research scene.
Jason runs Papa Squatch Productions alongside his uncle Dan (affectionately known as "Dan a man") and his cousin Scotty Tui. They've been building their presence across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and Jason has been fascinated with Sasquatch for years, though he only recently started taking on official research trips. This year they've ramped things up significantly, launching podcasts and planning to sell t-shirts through a print-on-demand service to help fund their camping expeditions. Jason mentioned having about 13 designs ready to go once their website is up and running.
The interview takes place at Mystic Springs, a spot that's clearly become significant for Jason. He shared that he had two incidents there, with the second one happening on April 18th of this year. During that encounter, he admitted he genuinely feared for his life and realized he was in over his head. Even more intriguing, a subscriber of his had their own incident at the same location back on March 14th. That kind of pattern at a single site is exactly what gets researchers excited.
The timing of the interview is interesting too. Tropical Storm Arthur had recently passed through, dumping rain on the area and causing the river to rise a whopping 21 feet. Jason had previously filmed a video walking down to the riverbed during drought conditions, but now that area is completely underwater. The host noted that even sitting quietly for just an hour, they could already hear tree knocks and vocalizations coming from across the river. That's the kind of ambient activity that makes a location promising for overnight research.
Jason was set up with a Wise Eyes DC2 trail camera, which he picked up based on a recommendation from someone at Crest View Outdoors. His buddy Rome runs the outdoor section there, and it turns out Rome is a big fan of that particular camera model. Jason was still figuring out the Wi-Fi connectivity features, but he seemed determined to get it dialed in.
The host showed some genuine appreciation for Jason's work, gifting him some Sasquatch-themed stickers (including one that reads "Sasquatch Official Research Team"), some Dr. Squatch Lumber Jack Lodge soap, and a couple bags of Tactus coffee from Black Rifle Coffee Company, a veteran-owned business. Jason mentioned he was disqualified from military service himself, though most of his family served.
One of the more compelling moments came when Jason opened up about the hesitation many witnesses feel before coming forward. He talked about wondering if people think you're crazy or just seeking attention, which is a sentiment that resonates with a lot of folks in this community. He also mentioned knowing another person closer to Crestview with compelling stories, and the host offered to arrange a confidential phone call between them.
For anyone interested in the current state of grassroots Sasquatch research, this interview is worth checking out. Jason and his team represent that growing wave of dedicated researchers who are putting in the fieldwork, building communities online, and connecting witnesses who might otherwise stay silent. The Mystic Springs location clearly has something going on, and it'll be interesting to see what comes from Jason's solo campout that night and any future investigations at the site.