Michael Mayes

Former Chairman of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy, Author, Researcher, and Blogger

Welcome

Welcome to my official website.  I'm glad you stopped by for a visit.


It has been a busy few months. I have gotten to do some really cool things and more fun events on are on the horizon. I’ll try to recap things below.

 

I have decided to self-publish by non-fiction book about time as a middle school teacher and coach in the Texas public school system. The book is a collection of humorous and poignant stories from my two decades of working with middle schoolers. The publishers to which I have submitted it have all been very positive in their opinions, glowing in some cases; however, I am basically unknown outside of the cryptozoology world and the most they have offered me are hybrid contracts. In the case of a hybrid contract, the author and the publisher “split” the cost of publishing the book. It is a way for the publisher to mitigate losses should the book tank. While I understand the concept – and it has become a VERY popular way to go for new authors – I have passed on these offers. I can publish the book myself much cheaper than I could by accepting a hybrid agreement. More on this front soon.

 

I had the privilege of speaking at the Arkansas Bigfoot Conference, hosted by my friend and Patty artist, Robert Swain. I had a wonderful time, made a lot of new friends, renewed some old friendships, sold some books, and saw some beautiful country. If you love nature, a trip to Arkansas should be on your list.

 

I will be doing a two-day speaking engagement at the Ice House Museum in Silsbee, Texas on Friday, 12/8 and Saturday 12/9. I will speak on the black panther phenomenon on Friday evening and the topic of Bigfoot in Texas on Saturday night. If you are in the area, I’d be honored if you attended. I’ll be taking questions, signing books, and generally visiting with any and all who are interested in these mysterious subjects.

 

There is a possibility that I will be shooting a segment for the television program Texas Country Reporter within the next two weeks. I’ll leave it at that for now but, if it comes to fruition, I’ll fill you all in ASAP.

 

If you would like to have me come speak to your group, class, or organization on Texas folklore and/or matters of a cryptozoological nature, shoot me an email at Texascryptidhunter@yahoo.com. There are few things I enjoy more than getting out and meeting people as interested in mysteries of the natural world as I am.


My best,

Michael C. Mayes

News and Schedule of Events (2022-23) 

I will be speaking at the Ice House Museum in Silsbee, Texas on Friday, 12/8 and Thursday, 12/9 on the topics of black panthers and bigfoot in Texas

My latest blog post, "Historical Black Panther Sighting, a Lesson Learned, and a Photo" is now available. Click here to read.

Blog post, "Was the Tshul'gul' of Cherokee Legend a Sasquatch?" Click here to read.

Listen to the audio/reading presentation of my recent blog post, "The Pebble Thrower of Peach Creek," by Dr. William Lester of Blackwater Media for his Shadowlands Radio Show. Click here to listen.

Two new blog posts are now available. Check out "The Phantom Bull of the Huana" and "The Pebble Thrower of Peach Creek".

Listen to my latest interview with Doug and Alex Hajicek of Untold Radio here.

Listen to my latest interview with Tim and Dana of "The Bigfoot Influencers" podcast. You can listen and watch here.

New on the blog, a sasquatch story unlike any other: "The Kindly Phantom of Wilson Creek." Click here to read.

I recently spoke at the Ice House Museum in Silsbee, TX. The event was covered by several reporters. Read the stories written about the night's activities at the Beaumont Enterprise and Houston Chronicle.

My latest blog post details one of the strangest accounts in Texas history: the tale of the lobo girl of the Devil's River. Could wolves have really adopted and raised an orphaned girl in west Texas in the early 1800s? Click here to find out.

Check out my latest interview with the great Cliff Barackman and James "Bobo" Fay on "Bigfoot and Beyond"  here.

My new book, Valley of the Apes: The Search for Sasquatch in Area X, is now available. Get your copy here or wherever online books are sold. For personalized signed copies, contact me directly.

Check out the new YouTube feature by Candy Michlosky. She narrates a piece I wrote titled "Murder and Mayhem in Portlock, Alaska." I think it came out great!