Duel Masters Withdraws and Rescinds $1M Bounty Hunt (Renton, Wash.) As noted by international cryptozoologist and author Loren Coleman earlier this week, the Duel Masters trading card game produced by Wizards of Coast [Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE: HAS)], explored the possibility of sponsoring a one million dollar bounty hunt that would encourage the live safe capture of Bigfoot, Yeti (Abominable Snowman) or Nessie (Loch Ness Monster).

Prior to the start of the promotion, Duel Masters reconsidered based on safety concerns for both the public and for creatures-at-large. Specifically, Duel Masters feared that untrained cryptozoologists would engage in unsafe behaviors in their attempt to capture these legendary creatures and that innocent creatures may be harmed in the process.

Instead, Duel Masters is sponsoring a photo contest that provides a guaranteed first prize of $5,000 for the photo that best perpetuates the mystique surrounding the hunt for the legendary creatures Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster and/or Yeti. A second place prize winner will receive $2,500, and three third place winners will receive $500. The contest will be launched on October 24, 2005, which is the beginning of Creature Appreciation Week. A full set of contest rules may be viewed beginning Oct. 24, 2005 at the official website for Creature Appreciation Week.

Loren Coleman comment: Okay, I’ve seen it all in 45 years, so this doesn’t really surprise me. Sure, I’m disappointed in Duel Master’s withdrawal of the bounty offer. But I understand. My phone has been ringing off the hook (since getting back from Texas). I’m hearing from people from around the world, from Scotland to Australia. The media story on this bounty has caused an unprecedented worldwide frenzy in which, apparently, Duel Masters felt a monster hunter could have gotten badly hurt in the race for the million dollar bounty. No one wants that.

The company seems to have discovered all kinds of legal considerations too. Duel Masters may have discovered, for example, that the Loch Ness Monsters are protected under British law, specifically The Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act of 1912 and The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. And a few American counties have laws with heavy fines and imprisonment for harming Bigfoot, which could have accidentally occurred. Glad to hear there are guaranteed prizes of $9000 for photographs now.

Hasbro produced this set in 1973, demonstrating a lengthy awareness by the company into Yeti hunts.