Planet Tyrus – Matt Moneymaker: The Truth About Bigfoot

Podcast: Planet Tyrus
Host: Tyrus (with guest Matt Moneymaker)
Date: November 6, 2025
Episode Theme: Unfiltered, in-depth exploration of the Bigfoot phenomenon with Matt Moneymaker, leading Bigfoot researcher and star of "Finding Bigfoot."

Episode Overview

This episode of Planet Tyrus dives headfirst into the enduring mystery of Bigfoot, setting aside political conspiracy for the greatest American cryptid legend. Tyrus welcomes Matt Moneymaker—renowned field researcher, founding member of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), and star of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot—for an extended, no-nonsense discussion about the search for Sasquatch. Their wide-ranging conversation blends personal stories, scientific curiosity, hunting lore, Native American history, and analysis of real Bigfoot audio, with Tyrus’ trademark humor and straight talk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Matt's Origin Story: From UCLA to the Wilderness (01:35 – 07:50)

• Moneymaker describes his journey from a college student at UCLA to leading Bigfoot expeditions.
• First serious encounter: Hearing the story of two Vietnam veterans who saw a 9-foot creature in Ventura County, CA.
• Quote (Matt): "I saw those tracks, and I just kind of fell to my knees, and I'm like, oh, my God, they're real." (05:57)

The California Backcountry

• The rugged wilds near Los Angeles, with no roads, provide plausible habitats for elusive megafauna.
• Southern California ecosystems could support a hidden large animal. (03:00)

First Expeditions & Evidence

• Fresh tracks found on a difficult hike convinced Matt of the creature’s possible existence.
• Recalls hearing signature "wood knocks"—powerful sounds that couldn't be matched by known North American fauna. (07:00)
• Transition from reading reports to active fieldwork distinguished Matt from earlier "armchair" researchers.

Field Encounters and Investigation Philosophy (09:44 – 15:45)

• Criticizes early Bigfoot research for ignoring reports east of the Mississippi.
• Founded BFRO to take a scientific, data-driven approach, validating and mapping credible sightings across North America.
• Investigations include both direct field encounters and collection of tracks, eyewitness testimony, and audio evidence.
• Quote (Tyrus, on Matt's credibility): "You’ll come out and say exactly how it is. If it's not there, it's not there. If it's there, you'll stand by it." (09:57)

Anatomy, Intelligence, and Behavior (03:30 – 17:54)

• Discusses Bigfoot intelligence in relation to head size and behavioral patterns.
• Consistently nomadic, highly cautious, expert at avoiding humans. Will retreat rather than defend a territory.
• Observes how Bigfoot appear more curious and less aggressive toward women and children, more standoffish with men.

Social Behavior & Language

• Supported by evidence of complex vocalizations: "They do a strong vocal language..." (15:46)
• Recordings of "Samurai chatter" and other vocalizations suggest inter-group communication.
• Tyrus: "Would you support the fact that they have a language?"
• Matt: "Yeah, they do a strong vocal language." (15:46)

Diet & Ecological Niche

• Bigfoot are likely opportunistic omnivores, similar to bears—staying mostly unnoticed because they do not rely exclusively on predation.
• Range, migration, and population density are dictated by food supply (esp. deer).

Historical and Cultural Context (19:30 – 25:18)

• Native American oral histories, petroglyphs, and artwork often reference a "hairy man" or similar beings.
• Early settlers had "wild man" stories that parallel modern Bigfoot descriptions.
• Sightings often involved non-confrontational retreats rather than aggressive encounters.
• Detailed overview of how Bigfoot, coyotes, wolves, and big cats responded to human expansion and habitat change.

The Problem of Physical Evidence (26:15 – 31:01)

• Skeptics argue there should be bones everywhere, but fossil discovery of even extinct megafauna is rare unless found in tar pits or special contexts.
• On hair samples and DNA: Most claims of "unknown primate" are unsupported by legitimate lab work; many high-profile DNA tests revealed misidentification or outright fraud.
• Quote (Matt): "One of the misconceptions is people think that hairs have been brought in and tested...good luck trying to find a qualified, capable university that will analyze them for DNA for free." (27:16)

Shift in Scientific Attitudes (29:28 – 32:40)

• Noting a parallel in public acceptance between UFOs and cryptozoology.
• Openness in mainstream research increasing for UFOs, some spillover happening with cryptids like Bigfoot.

Audio Evidence: Analyzing Bigfoot Howls (48:41 – 61:19)

• Matt and Tyrus play and discuss three authentic Bigfoot vocalizations from different states.
• Each includes powerful, sustained howls not reproducible by known animals or humans.
• Morton, WA – 2010 (50:08): Loud, far-carrying howls; "Let everyone know who needed to know in the general area..."
• Forest County, MS – 2004 (53:49): Layered howls with underlying clicks and moans; likely family-unit communication.
• Ohio – 1994 (59:01): Matt’s own famous recording, with a local dog reacting each time ("on cue").
• Quote (Tyrus): "As a guy who's 6'8" and 320 pounds, when I heard that howl, I was like, that's gotta be at least 2 or 3 ft bigger than me." (49:10)
• Matt: "The distinguishing characteristic is the sustain. When you hear it, it's how long an opera singer—maybe—could hold a note, but with a power nothing human can match." (55:16)

Modern Expansion and Changing Landscape (62:36 – 64:38)

• America's reforestation post-Great Depression led to increases in deer and suitable habitat for Bigfoot, possibly causing more sightings post-1960s.
• Eastern U.S. previously denuded of forests now provides new, extensive wild habitat.

Bigfoot Expeditions and Reconnecting with Nature (39:45 – 45:46)

• Matt leads BFRO expeditions, reintroducing modern people to the wilderness.
• Many first-timers are amazed (and scared) by true darkness and unfamiliar forest sounds.
• Use of thermal scopes and night vision helps—participants report it as spiritual or transformative.
• Quote (Matt): "There's definitely something that happens when...you're out there waiting...your mind is really trying to tune in to every sound, every vibe..." (43:46)

Philosophical Reflections and Advice for Listeners (45:46 – 47:23; 68:00 – End)

• Tyrus and Matt emphasize patience, observation, and humility—nature reveals itself only slowly.
• The experience of seeking Bigfoot is also about rediscovering our own instincts and place in the natural world.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Moneymaker (on first tracks): "I saw those tracks, and I just kind of fell to my knees, and I'm like, oh, my God, they're real." (05:57)
• Tyrus (on the howls): "When I heard that howl, I was like, that's gotta be at least 2 or 3 feet bigger than me." (49:10)
• Matt (on skeptics): "One of the misconceptions is people think that hairs have been brought in and tested... good luck trying to find a university that will analyze them for DNA for free." (27:16)
• Tyrus (on being in the woods): "We used to be the scariest thing in the dark." (41:12)
• Matt (on fieldwork): "There's a lot of waiting or a lot of looking around, it's very quiet. You soon figure out...your mind is really trying to tune in to every sound, every vibe, every nuance. That's the spiritual thing that kind of happens..." (43:46)
• Tyrus (on why evidence is rare): "Good luck finding any evidence that they were ever here [large extinct animals]...very rarely do you hear someone go, hey, I was digging in my backyard this weekend, and I found a giant sloth." (26:15)
• Matt (on howls): "When you hear it, the distinguishing characteristic is the sustain...an opera singer—maybe—could hold a note, but with a power nothing human can match." (55:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:35: Matt's introduction to Bigfoot research and early expeditions
• 05:57: "Oh my God, they're real"—the moment of conviction
• 09:44: Why east coast sightings were ignored—BFRO’s scientific approach
• 15:46: Language and vocalizations: “They do a strong vocal language.”
• 19:30: Native American perspectives & oral history
• 26:15: Why we don’t find Bigfoot bones; limits of biological evidence
• 41:12: BFRO expeditions; re-experiencing the wild at night
• 48:41 – 61:19: Analysis of real Bigfoot howls, regional variation, and vocal prowess
• 62:36: Rise in population & habitat; forest comeback post-Depression
• 68:55: The problem of hoaxes in Alaska and importance of skepticism
• 70:00: Humorous family anecdotes and the social side of Bigfoot fascination

Resources Mentioned

• BFRO (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization):
  Website: bfro.net – primary public sightings database, expedition info, and credible reports.
• Finding Bigfoot (Animal Planet): TV show archives—valuable for learning about techniques, the diversity of reports, and types of evidence.

Closing Thoughts

Tyrus and Matt Moneymaker serve up a lively, respectful, and sometimes philosophical exploration of the Bigfoot phenomenon. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the episode champions open-mindedness, the thrill of discovery, and the irreplaceable value of real contact with wild places. Listeners are encouraged to research, head outdoors, and maybe even join an expedition—to rediscover wonder, and perhaps, leave with more questions than answers.

(For further information or to find a BFRO expedition, visit bfro.net.)