“ So, does bigfoot exist? I believe it does. But what a bigfoot is, is a whole other beast of a question, isn’t it? That’s why I’m out here hunting the truth, I’m trying to find those answers…” __ Jay Bachochin
It’s Saturday night, I’m in my Jammies, I’ve popped my popcorn now I’m sitting down to watch and review a new documentary. One that I’ve been eagerly anticipating for awhile. Beyond the Kettle Finding Jay 2.
If you’re not familiar with Jay, and didn’t catch his first documentary, Finding Jay, here’s a bit from a previous interview I had with Jay about what made him began his journey with bigfoot;
“While I was still fascinated with the ghost
phenomenon it wasn’t until October 2013
when I entered the Kettle Moraine. We heard
what sounded like a simian type yell in the
distant woods. We couldn’t identify it.
Personally, I’ve never been the big outdoor
man and didn’t know all the sounds of the
woods. That’s why I went onto the computer
to find some sounds of the indigenous
animals in Southeast Wisconsin. We couldn’t
find a match. And It intrigued me so much
that I thought, maybe there is something to
this Bigfoot.”
His first documentary he presents some very interesting evidence he’s collected over his five year long research into the Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin. For me personally, the evidence presented that showed something moving out there like a Predator cloaked alien (I know some people hate that description, but it fits)! It shook me a bit. You put your own theory of what one can be into this little box, but then evidence like this comes along and challenges those beliefs and theories and it makes you reevaluate everything because that box didn’t leave a spot open for an encounter like that.
Jay has had other bigfoot encounters out there before, so he knows a little bit about what you may find out there should you head to the kettle. Here is a bit about his encounters from that same past interview;
“I have had four encounters with bigfoot.
They all weren’t up close Harry and The
Henderson’s style, but unique enough to
know what it was. The first one was really
quite extraordinary. It was at night in the
woods with no light, the snow filled the forest
floor and you can see like an animal without
any lights. I saw this 8 foot being swaying
from side to side and then it glided as if it
was on the wire to another tree. I wasn’t
scared as I was more intrigued.
Now, fast forward just a couple of years, and you have the follow up, Beyond the Kettle. In this second documentary, he addresses what many people have reported seeing in the forests, sometimes along with bigfoot sighting as well. The orbs or strange lights in the forests have been seen for centuries now. Some call these lights, will-o’ of the wisps.
They are scientifically explained as being swamp gas. Swamp gas experts say it’s caused by organic matter breaking down near wetlands. But no one can really explain how this “swamp gas”, is able move around. These lights out there in the woods that people see, that I’ve seen, they moves, and not always near water. And these circular orbs Jay and other respected researchers have seem are just flying around. (amongst other strangeness as well) The husband and wife team of the singular fortean society and Adam Benedict of the pine barrens institute both appear in this documentary and share their thoughts on what they have witnessed out there hike with Jay.
There are other great researchers appearing in this documentary as well, such as Steve Kulls The Squatch Detective. He is one of the researchers Jay trusts to help isolate and analyze the audio and video evidence he captures, but he also weighs in on the strange lights phenomena as well. (And of course the woo!)
David Weatherly speaks to the folkloric aspect of the lights. Discussing many different theories out there on what they may be. A few he mentions are the fae people, spirit,, and even otherworldly creature. I myself am not sure yet of what I think they could be. But regardless of whatever they may be, as you are seeing them for yourself, your mind is thinking “what the hell is that?!”
Rounding out the esteemed “four horseman” (jay’s words) is Ken Gerhard and Ron Morehead of Sierra Sounds discussing bigfoot language and Quantum Bigfoot. The line up of all these researchers combined is very impressive.
But at the center of all this, what all this is really about is Jay’s journey and what does all this evidence, all these encounters mean to him, what does beyond the kettle mean to him? Well…let’s ask him that and maybe a few other things too.
You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth…
Jay went down to the kettle….
What are these new techniques and experiments you’re doing in woods! (Like leap frog)
When I go out hiking, I am always using the ‘human technique’. The ‘human technique’ is simple because we don’t have to try to be human, of course, we just are. So talking out loud, laughing and enjoying nature by observing our surroundings is one of the best techniques you can use. They are curious about us and will come in for a closer look if we’re not dressed in camouflage and walking quietly like “we’re hunting wabbit”. It’s the human condition Bigfoot finds curious and entertaining. With that said, in 2017 I began a technique called ‘The Leap Frog Technique’. While using safety and being smart, we will use walkie-talkies to communicate as we send 1 person up 100 yards on the path, the next person will go only 50 yards and the last person stays put at the starting spot. The objective is to safely isolate ourselves in the woods while using the ‘human technique’ of being alone in the woods. We’re hoping that the curious forest people come in for a closer look to one of us. We can whistle, cup our hands and clap twice, talk to the woods, just be human while being alone. While doing this technique over the years I have been collecting data of those that experience something while they are isolated. An encounter doesn’t always happen to the people you hike with, it’ll happen with different people. The results are staggering. It seems like the less equipment you have on you, the better the chance Bigfoot will approach closer. My theory is that these forest people can sense our feelings (or intentions) while being the woods. Those that have their cameras going the whole time may seem aggressive (as they want to stay hidden). However, those without any recording devices can’t record their encounter and that is exactly what a Bigfoot we be attracted to, not to be caught on film or audio. Other technique has also been effective and that is to stop hiking for miles to try and find Bigfoot. Bigfoot will find you (i.e. how I named my first documentary). We’ll never find Bigfoot but Bigfoot will find us. So hike into the woods and bring a camping chair and just sit and be patient. Again, the human technique. Bottom line, it’s a double edge sword, or a damned if you, damned if you don’t strategy. Do you want to make contact or have an encounter without any proof or do you want to use all that technology wrapped over your body and not experience or encounter anything? It’s a crap shoot and it really comes down to the individual’s intentions: Prove it to the world and be rich with all the money in the world or to have a one on one relationship with a being we don’t fully understand and learn from?
Has your theories about Bigfoot changed since your last documentary?
Pretty much my whole life I didn’t believe Bigfoot existed, that is, up until 2013. At this point I thought Bigfoot was a flesh and blood primate we (science) hasn’t caught up with yet. Yet, over the years of researching these beings we haven’t found a body or bones. So how could that be if they were just a flesh and blood primate. The more you research these beings (books, podcasts and of course, boots to ground) you begin to have more questions than answers. How did the tracks I found in 2014 just suddenly end? I followed 12 of them and they disappeared in a clearing with the closest large tree 25 yards away. Did it jump that long distance to the trees? Walk through a portal? Sprout wings and fly away? Since my last film I have ‘shifted’ my beliefs of Bigfoot. I do believe Bigfoot is flesh and blood (as it leaves physical prints as evidence) but also, people have sightings of a physical being. But i now believe they have special attributes that we can’t comprehend. I don’t mix supernatural with the paranormal because they each have a different meaning. Supernatural means they would have abilities that we as humans do not. Can they speak with their minds using telepathy? Can they use infrasound with other animals or people to make themselves invisible? Are they so advanced that they can alter their physical form into energy to travel quickly and silently through the woods to avoid detection? We really don’t know those answers but this is how I approach Bigfoot in the woods.
You’ve gone out with a few great researchers, what are some of the great tips and tactics you got from them?
It’s common that different researchers use different techniques because of their beliefs in their own quest. But if there is one technique I can take away to use for myself, that is a reward. One technique is so simple. Do not let your bias get the best of you (i.e. there is a Bigfoot behind every tree). It’s very easy for me to say I’m not expecting an encounter (but realistically I’m jumping up and down in the inside that today can be the day!). So while a lot of researchers dress in camouflage and are silent in the brush, using trail cams, pheromones, etc. I may not use those techniques but I do respect them and their own personal quest. But I always remain open and learn from other researchers.
Do you have just one or two specific areas in the kettle you frequent, or do you investigate all over?
I’m definitely not like ‘Finding Bigfoot’ where I can travel all over the United States to investigate. One, I’m not rich and have the funds and two, I found an area of the Kettle (about a 15 mile radius) and have certain areas of this area deemed as ‘areas’. I’ve had so many encounters in ‘this’ area since 2013 and don’t plan to go outside this area. The radius has (5) separate areas I research which I deem Area A, B or C, etc. People ask me why I don’t go outside these areas and it’s simple: I don’t have all the answers I’m seeking in this area. It may take me the rest of my life to keep investigating this area but I’d rather have the answers I seek then try to prove they exist outside this radius.
What do you think all these orbs we see could be? And how do you think they could be related to bigfoot?
Why do I think the ‘orbs’ of light are connected with Bigfoot? That’s a simple answer (for me). Let me digress on how I came to this conclusion of what the orbs of lights are in the woods. In August of 2020 I experienced the trifacta of Bigfoot encounters. We heard a fake owl call (as if it was made by a person or other), and then a very incredible thermal capture of a Bigfoot peeking around a tree and as it finally ducked for the last time behind a tree, a well lit orb came from the same area I caught the peeking Bigfoot on thermal. But then the unexpected happened as the orb of light went from left to right in front of us, we heard an incredibly loud breaking through the trees and brush. My theory is that the flesh and blood Bigfoot peeking behind the tree became energy to evade being caught on thermal and glided seamlessly through the trees only to become solid flesh and blood again which caused all the breaking through the brush. While that’s a far-out theory, it’s only because I experienced the trifacta of bigfoot behavior (without the orbs of light). The orb of light was a bonus in this encounter.
Is there anything different to how you pack now for an investigation out there compared to now?
I used to go LIGHTS. CAMERAS. ACTION. into the woods. I was my own TV Production Crew. Nowadays I ‘try’ to carry less technology on me even though I do carry it in my side bag (just in case I need it). It’s that age old debate: do I carry no technology and maybe have a better chance of an encounter or carry technology in hopes to capture something? It really is a struggle for me as I’m not trying to capture evidence to prove to the world that Bigfoot exists, however, I would like at least show my wife I caught this Bigfoot on film so she doesn’t think her husband is crazy. Today I put on a body cam and my audio device to record and conceal everything else and have the mind set that I’m just hiking in the woods. That way I forget about the body cam and audio device that allows me to concentrate on the hike as the ‘human technique’ is legitimate. That’s my belief anyway. It’s hit or miss so I keep trying different things and evolve with my journey.
Now that the children are older are they wanting to be more involved or less?
Both of my kids still hold a big interest in Bigfoot and dad’s quest to Hunt the Truth but honestly it was easier when they were younger. They had no choice (I say that laughing out loud). But honestly, they are older, still hold that interest but it’s not their main interest anymore which is ok with me. It may take a little coaxing to get them out in the woods like I did when they were younger but once they get out, they are happy to be back in the woods. My goal was to teach my kids not to just look for bigfoot, rather, to Hunt the Truth. Hunting the Truth doesn’t end with Bigfoot, Aliens or Ghosts. I have taught them to question everything and seek their answers (just don’t listen to it from someone and accept that answer). With that being said, my kids still come out to the woods with me but they are both different in accepting a noise in the woods or an eerie feeling they had. They both think it could be a bigfoot but it could also be something else.
Do you still investigate the Beast of Bray Road?
Bray road is on my way to and from where I research in the Kettle. So I still patrol Bray Road and the surrounding roads from time to time. Unfortunately Bray Road is not accessible by pulling off the road to investigate. Bray Road is occupied by 3rd and 4th Generation Farmers so it’s all Privately Owned. I also believe that ‘the Beast’ is not confined to Bray Road. This Dogman could’ve been the red eyes I’ve seen in the Kettle back in 2016. It could be possible Dogman is a different kind of Bigfoot or Bigfoot is related to a Dogman. It’s hard to say at this point. Bottom line I do still investigate Dogman ‘The Beast’ but it many not always be on Bray Road.
Do you think the Kettle Moraine is like its own Bridgewater Triangle with all these strange happenings reported there?
Without investigating the Bridewater Triangle I can only go by what I’ve experienced in the Kettle Moraine. If all these encounters in the Bridgewater Triangle are true then yes, I think they can one in the same. Different areas on the globe that all share the same phenomenon.
What does beyond the kettle mean to you?
‘Beyond the Kettle’ is a play on words. One would think the title refers to me exploring beyond the Kettle into other areas of the state or other states. On the contrary ‘Beyond the Kettle’s means that I am still in the Kettle exploring but I need to look past the hills, trails and trees. Look beyond what I can visually see and have an open mind to other out-of-this-world possibilities. Sometimes you need to take a leap a faith as the questions you seek only bring more questions, not answers.
Do you feel bigfoot is more of supernatural being?
Nobody knows what a bigfoot is (as there is no wrong answer). But since I’m asked if a Bigfoot is a Supernatural Being I’ll give you my opinion. I believe they are Supernatural and are the first humans on planet Earth. I believe they have adapted to their environment and nature itself. By doing so, their behavior is like a wild animal, however, they are very intelligent to know one simple word ‘consequence’. Wild animals don’t have a consequence mentality. A wild cougar or angered bear would have no problem attacking a human. They’re animals and they are doing what they instinctively do. Bigfoot won’t advance on the human race or abduct them while they are out for a walk on the trails. They would know if they broke that rule, the rest of us humans would go searching for that missing person. This would cause a disruption in their daily lives as they just want to be left alone and prosper. So I believe these Bigfoot ‘people’ use only what nature and their surroundings give them. This is how they have special attributes (which we would call Supernatural). Supernatural is something we don’t understand and like to call it Paranormal. But both Supernatural and Paranormal are two completely different things.
When and where can everyone find the documentary?
Currently you can find both FINDING JAY and BEYOND THE KETTLE: FINDING JAY 2 streaming on Vimeo. You can find both links to Vimeo for both films on his website : www.jaybachochin.com. Keep checking in to the website for updates.
If people want to contact you about their encounters, where is the best spot to reach you?
The best place to contact me is on my website. www.jaybachochin.com. There you can send me a message and reach out with any questions or encounters you have had. Even if someone on the East Coast had a strange encounter, they can message me on my website here in Wisconsin. If we collectively worked together we could unite in Hunting the Truth to try and solve the questions we all ask.
“The truth is in our own reality, in what we discover, there are 8 billion people in the world, everyone has their own truth. I don’t even know if there is just one truth anymore. But the truth is the one that you find, the one that makes sense. So you have to go out and discover for yourself, find your truth.
I found my truth, beyond the kettle moraine…”
This documentary has everything you want to see in one film. There are witness encounters, great researchers, a bigfoot and paranormal hot spot, and finally, evidence!
Beyond the Kettle starts streaming in just a few days on Vimeo August 22nd, I absolutely recommend it! I can’t say enough, You don’t want to miss this one!
Come for bigfoot, but stay for the journey…
Sasysquatchgirl 
