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FBI Publishes 22-Page Bigfoot File from 1976–77 — Hairs Identified as Deer

The FBI's FOIA Vault published a 22-page file from 1976–77 documenting tests of a small hair sample sent by the Bigfoot Information Center in Oregon. About 15 hairs attached to a tiny skin patch were examined by the FBI lab, which concluded the hairs originated from the deer family. The file is both a straightforward scientific result and a cultural snapshot of how cryptid claims reached national laboratories, though some records may remain unreleased.

03:16 AM, 11/25/2025Culture
FBI Publishes 22-Page Bigfoot File from 1976–77 — Hairs Identified as Deer

The FBI's public FOIA Vault has released a 22-page file from 1976–77 documenting correspondence about alleged Sasquatch evidence. The exchange centers on a small hair sample sent by the Bigfoot Information Center and Exhibition (BIC) in The Dalles, Oregon, and the bureau's Scientific and Technical Services Division.

What happened

In 1976, BIC director Peter Byrne submitted roughly 15 hairs attached to a tiny patch of skin and asked the FBI laboratory to analyze the sample. Byrne said it was the first hair specimen in six years that his group thought might be important. The FBI noted its lab primarily serves law-enforcement investigations but agreed to examine the material after the case drew public attention.

Testing and result

The file records several months of follow-ups and the delivery of test results to Byrne and the Academy of Applied Science, which supported his research. The bureau's laboratory concluded the hairs were not from an unknown hominid but belonged to the deer family.

It was concluded as a result of these examinations that the hairs are of deer family origin.

Why it matters

Beyond the scientific finding, the file is a small historical snapshot showing how a regional cryptid claim moved into a national laboratory. The FOIA Vault, which hosts thousands of formerly sealed or obscure records, often contains surprising or lighthearted entries alongside criminal and historical files.

Open questions

While the Bureau's test closed this particular sample, enthusiasts note that additional records may still be unreleased or could surface later. For now, the 22 pages offer a clear, prosaic result and a reminder of how cultural fascination with cryptids can drive serious scientific and institutional responses.

Readers curious about similar inquiries can explore the FOIA Vault for other unusual or historically interesting files, and keep an eye out for any follow-up releases.

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