Poor Josh Gates -- had they shot the Yeti episode in this half of the year he might have qualified for Field and Streams and Bushnell's reward of one million dollars for photos of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or the Yeti. Don't feel too sorry though -- remember -- he's the one with the real cool job.

Yes, you heard me right. Field and Stream magazine-- found too often in hospital waiting rooms, and Bushnell-- known as one of the world's leading makers in binoculars and hunting scopes, is offering one million dollars for unaltered photos or video of these cryptids. This promotion is already unleashing the money-hounds and sent serious Cryptid watchers to the forums to rant.

The biggest catch to the Field and Stream contest -- you have to catch Bigfoot, Sasquatch or Yeti with a trail camera - which Bushnell conveniently sales.(Cough: marketing.) Any images submitted become a free right of use in any manner by Field and Stream in any form.(Cough: you won't get paid.) So this means -- we may start seeing a lot of picture of people in costume in upcoming ads. (From a marketing standpoint- free, royalty-free images are great! Free, royalty-free goofy images are awesome!)

You can check out the specifics at: http://www.fstrailcamcontest.com/

Bushnell's offer is $1,000,000 (payable in a 40-year annuity of $25,000 per year) if a participant can provide an unaltered photograph/video, verified and substantiated by a panel of scientific experts, the evidence required to prove a Sasquatch/Bigfoot/Yeti exists. Photo or video must be taken with a Trail/Deer Camera. A Trail/Deer Camera is defined, for this Sweepstakes, as any camera designed/sold for the purpose of being attached to a tree or other object to automatically capture images of passing wildlife. (Yet again, conveniently marketed by the Bushnell corporation.)

I will say Bushnell's disclaimer is traditional yet entertaining:

The Sweepstakes Entities shall not liable for any injury, loss of
life, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience,
trespassing, illegal means of entry, or other Federal, State or
local laws when obtaining the photo/video, or other irregularity
that may be caused or contributed to obtaining a photo or
photographs for submission, or
if they are attacked by a Bigfoot, or any other irregularity
that may be caused or contributed to obtaining a photo or
photographs for submission.
Please use caution when taking photographs outdoors,
and in the wild, especially when using suits or costumes
that resemble wild animals (Gorilla, Sasquatch, or other).


You can check out the specifics:
http://www.fstrailcamcontest.com/Rules/MillionDollarGiveaway/



This contest runs until December 15th, 2008. I doubt this is the last of this "hunt" mainstream media will toss upon it's viewers. However, this should prove entertaining- drunk men, monkey suits, and cameras - just imagine!

I wonder if there's a Destination Truth fan in the marketing firm for Bushnell...

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Hope you found this as amusing as I did.

As always, comments, criticisms, and input are welcome.