FARMINGTON – Jacob Chavez was fly-fishing in the cool San Juan River during harvest season with crows flying overhead when he heard the sound.
It was a deep, guttural growl and could clearly be heard over the sound of the crows and rapids. A few minutes later, whatever creature made the noise started moving through the brush, upstream and away from him.
Chavez, owner of Majestic Enchantment Fly Fishing in Blanco, New Mexico, never got a clear look at what made the noise, but he shared his story with the History Channel’s “Ancient MonsterQuest” film crew in August. The special explores the theory that Bigfoot has been known throughout the history of the United States through different legends and stories of creatures.
The show travels throughout the country and includes footage from New Mexico and interviews with people, like Chavez, who have had mysterious run-ins. The Bigfoot episode is “part of a series that will evaluate evidence that monsters and other mythical creatures existed and may have gone extinct in history,” according to the History Channel.
Although the hourlong show travels throughout the country, Chavez said the network’s film crew spent a day shooting in the area. The episode features a small portion of legends and stories of Bigfoot throughout Arizona and New Mexico, including Chavez’s own farm.
Chavez is no stranger to potential sightings of large-footed, hairy creatures. The story he recounts to the “Ancient MonsterQuest” crew is the third instance he has heard or seen strange noises or shapes moving in the brush.
The Four Corners has also been featured in Animal Planet’s long-running series, “Finding Bigfoot,” which travels the country interviewing people who say they have seen big, furry creatures. Chavez said he and his farm were in a Season 5 episode and the “Return to Four Corners” episode the following year.
The History Channel’s “Ancient MonsterQuest” episode originally aired on Jan. 25 and is set to re-air at 8 a.m. Friday MST.
lweber@durangoherald.com