162: The Great UFO Conspiracy, Part 2: The Rise of the Mutes, 1973-1979

162: The Great UFO Conspiracy, Part 2: The Rise of the Mutes, 1973-1979

Author: Rob Kristoffersen July 31, 2023 Duration: 1:08:55

“Is it saucers, satanists or CIA?” wrote Tom Adams in Stigmata, the only zine dedicated to the cattle mutilation phenomenon of the 1970s and 80s, and by the end of the decade, researchers and investigators were no closer to finding the culprit.

The road to the greatest UFO conspiracy of all time is a windy one, laced with paranoia, shady figures, and a carcass count in the tens of thousands. The mute phenomenon was a slow moving one that gradually gained momentum until it led to ranchers arming themselves against mystery helicopters and out-of-town strangers.

Still, there were a number of oddities during this time period. In Montana, Cascade County accounted for nearly every type of phenomenon associated with their mute cases, including the discovery of a “cult” site and the appearance of that big hairy guy that likes to hang out in the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot. In Colorado, cases reached an epidemic proportion, and the culprits were brave enough to leave one carcass at NORAD’s front gate. And on Manuel Gomez’s ranch in Dulce, New Mexico, the perpetrators planted evidence to make it seem like the government was definitely involved.

Regardless, the mute phenomenon reached epidemic proportions, leading one U.S. Senator to convene the first conference on the topic. A conference that would lead to the greatest UFO conspiracy of all time.

Special thanks to Brennan Storr (The Ghost Story Guys), Philip Keating (Botched Podcast, Imaginary Nomad on Twitch), Emily Louise (Weird Reads with Emily Louise), Ash, Ryan Sprague (Somewhere in the Skies) and David Riedel.

Sources:

“The Enduring Panic About Cow Mutilations” by Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, May 8, 2023

Stalking the Herd: Unraveling the Cattle Mutilation Mystery by Christopher O’Brien

“Mind Blowing Soul-Suckers??” by Staff Writer, Stigmata, No 5

“Ordeal in Arkansas” by Staff Writer, Stigmata, No 4

The Night Mutilators by Gene Duplantier

Dulce Base The Truth and Evidence From the Case Files of Gabe Valdez by Greg Valdez

“Wave of Mutilation: The Cattle Mutilation Phenomenon of the 1970s” by Michael J. Goleman, The Agricultural History Society, 2011

Theme song:

"Ufo" by Floats, available on Soundcloud, iTunes and Spotify

Logo designed by Megan Lagerberg

T-Shirt Designs by The Great Desdymona

Welcome UFO People Prints Are Now Available! 

Check out ourstrangeskies.com for all things related to the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


There's a long, winding story written across our collective past that doesn't always make it into the official records. Our Strange Skies: UFOs Throughout History follows that thread, tracing the phenomenon from ancient accounts to modern-day encounters. Host Rob Kristoffersen approaches these tales not just as mysteries, but as integral parts of our cultural and historical fabric, examining how they reflect the anxieties and imaginations of their times. Each episode focuses on a specific case, era, or theme, blending documented reports with the broader lore that has grown around them. You'll hear detailed breakdowns of famous sightings, deep dives into lesser-known incidents, and thoughtful discussions on topics ranging from reported abductions to the cryptic creatures often associated with these skies. Rob's conversations with a rotating cast of researchers, historians, and fellow experts add layers of context, ensuring the narrative is grounded even when the subject matter is decidedly ungrounded. This isn't about sensationalism; it's a careful, curious exploration of why these stories persist and what they tell us about ourselves. Tune into this podcast for a thoughtful journey through the archives of the unexplained, where history meets mystery head-on.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Our Strange Skies: UFOs Throughout History
Podcast Episodes
158: Sometimes UFOs Are Therapy with Lindsey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:00
Have you ever been so burnt out on a subject that you needed to just have a good therapeutic chat with a friend about UFOs, ghosts, and about the shit going on in your life? Well, that's what I decided to do with my frie…
157: The Veggieman with Cole Herrold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:46
Researcher Cole Herrold (New World Explorers Society) returns to the podcast to talk about the numerous and varied experiences of Jennings Frederick, a resident of Rivesville, West Virginia. He talks about the experience…
156: Russell Kellett, The E.T. Rider with Rus Ryan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:41
Do you like intergalactic wars between humans and aliens? Well, have we got a treat for you. This week, Rus Ryan from The Unbelievers podcast returns to discuss another Rus... Russell Kellet, the E.T. Rider! In the forew…
155: Stories from Somewhere in Our Strange Skies with Ryan Sprague [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:41
This week, Ryan Sprague, the host of Somewhere in the Skies, and author of the new book, Stories from Somewhere in the Skies. Culled from the "Witness Accounts" series from the podcast, Ryan presents the stories of every…
154: The West Wales Flap of 1977 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:28
In 1977 a series of UFO and humanoid sightings would capture the headlines in and around West Wales. Sightings of cigar shaped objects and saucers became common place. On Ripperstone farm, the Coombs family were plagued…
Bonus Episode: The Origins of Gondola Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:53
In late 2021, when we relaunched OSS full time, I had my friend Brian Hastie from the Double Density podcast on to talk about the abduction of José Antônio da Silva. We decided to record a bonus episode where I dropped a…
153: The UFO Conversations with Mike Clelland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:24
This week we welcome Mike Clelland to the show. We dive into the weirdness of Saranac Lake, NY, a town we both lived in, as well as the nature and meaning of synchronicities, the work of Mac Tonnies; we each dive into so…
150: The Night Visitor of Argentina & the Flap of 1968 with Zee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:08
The city of Villa Carlos Paz is a tourist destination in central Argentina, known for a number of outdoor activities, such as kite surfing and hiking, as well as a giant cuckoo clock in the center of town. (Apparently th…