OLL LEWIS: 5 Questions on… Cryptozoology - DEREK `TEX` GREBNER

Today’s guest is Tex Grebner, CFZ Illinois Rep. Regular readers will no doubt be familiar with Tex’s discoveries in his home state, related through the ‘Still on the Track’ and CFZ Illinois (http://cfzextra.blogspot.com/) blogs.

So, Tex Grebner, here are your 5 questions on… Cryptozoology:

1) How did you first become interested in cryptozoology?

Well, I have always been fascinated by the unexplained, and listened to plenty of campfire lies from old hunters and trappers. I was always in the woods and waters and so I kind of fell into cryptozoology.

2) Have you ever personally seen a cryptid or secondary evidence of a cryptid, if so can you please describe your encounter?

In my younger days I believe I may have found panther tracks in the mud that were as big as my hand, in a set of thick woods.

3) Which cryptids do you think are the most likely to be scientifically discovered and described some day, and why?

I personally think that the large big cats and aberrant wolves that inhabit Illinois are very likely to be proven true, based on the terrain and available food. Also, due to the amount of wilderness still left, I believe it entirely possible that the sasquatch also exists.

4) Which cryptids do you think are the least likely to exist?

I would not say that they are unlikely to exist but they are unlikely to be a corporeal, natural animal. I attempt to be secular, professionally. However, based on my belief system, I believe that some things that some consider to be cryptids are in fact supernatural. I do not say paranormal because I think that the word paranormal is a 'dumb' word. I am from a Catholic background and so supernatural fits; paranormal just sounds like, "I want to sound cool and new age!" I believe that the werewolf and other beasts are not cryptids and so by that logic they are least likely to exist as cryptids, but very likely to exist in other forms.

5) If you had to pick your favourite cryptozoological book (not including books you may have written yourself) what would you choose?

My favourite book, ironically enough based on my answer to the last question, is Hunting the American Werewolf by Linda Godfrey. I differ from Linda on the theory of the werewolf as a cryptid animal, but I find the book to be a very good reference book. I would like to say Sanderson’s ABSM, but the book always puts me to sleep.

My favourite work, even though it is fiction, is Dark Woods by Jay Kumar about a hunter who wounds a bigfoot in self-defence and then feels morally obliged to track it down.