By Tim Binnall
The Oklahoma lawmaker who created a controversial cash prize for the first person to capture a living Sasquatch in the state announced that the proverbial Bigfoot bounty has been increased to a staggering $3 million. State Representative J.J. Humphrey made the declaration during a session of the Oklahoma legislature on Wednesday as he was providing his colleagues with an update on the audacious idea which he first suggested as a Bigfoot hunting season back in January. "Who knew that that would go international and that we would gain so much attention," he marveled at the worldwide headlines that followed his initial proposal.
Since that time, the concept has transformed into a plan wherein applicants could get 'tracking licenses' from the state's tourism department with the express knowledge that they are not to kill Bigfoot, but can capture it alive and, if they do, they win the enormous cash prize. "We have started what may be the biggest promotion in the state of Oklahoma ever," Humphrey proclaimed to the legislature, "this is turning out to be huge." The lawmaker also noted that the attention surrounding the state's strange embrace of Bigfoot has already brought dividends as a documentary crew had journeyed to Oklahoma to film a series on the famed cryptid.
During his address to the legislature, Humphrey emphasized that "we don't hunt Bigfoot. Nobody wants to harm Bigfoot. We're going to do a live, humane capture of Bigfoot," which drew chuckles from his colleagues. He also stressed that the goal of the bountiful prize is to draw visitors from across the globe to Oklahoma in the hopes of striking it rich by finding Bigfoot. "We're extending this beyond just our region and throughout the state," he said, "we're excited to invite the whole world to come and participate." During his address to the state legislature, Humphrey also singled out local businessman Phil Silva for "spreading the Sasquatch fever around the globe" by way of his Oklahoma gas station, 'Gasquatch,' which boasts the world's tallest Bigfoot statue.
Coast Insiders can learn more about the Oklahoma lawmaker's Bigfoot bounty by checking out his 2/26/2021 appearance on the program. Not a Coast Insider yet? Sign up today.