In September 2008, A&E aired the Paranormal State episode, “First Contact,” which followed the adventures of PRS as they investigated Gilliland’s Ranch.
PRS Director Ryan Buell recently wrote a blog where he discussed some of his experiences investigating Gilliland’s Ranch:
I first heard about the famous Gilliland Ranch in December 2006. Dave Schrader, an Internet paranormal radio host, told me of his unbelievable experiences. I listened for over an hour as he told me about all the things he experienced – lights forming in to a triangle and then merging in to one bright light, seeing a large creature move from tree to tree, etc. He told me that several other people have had even more intense experiences, both spiritual and other-worldly. I asked him about James, the owner of the ranch. I couldn’t help but be a little skeptical when I asked him, “do you REALLY believe this guy?”
He told me that at first, he too had his doubts. He had allowed for James to go on his radio show, “Darkness Radio on the Edge of Town,” and talk about the experience. But Dave allegedly didn’t believe it at first, to which James responded, “come up here and experience it yourself.”
And that’s exactly what we did. I remember telling the producers for “Paranormal State” about Gilliland’s Ranch. The majority of them were less than thrilled, mainly because they didn’t understand it. Aliens? UFOs? Batsquatch?!? In their eyes, it didn’t necessarily fit under the rubric of ghosts and demons. But I wanted to do something different. I wanted to push the boundaries. Most importantly, I wanted to see it to believe it. Somehow I was able to win over their support, and we went to the beautiful state of Washington in August of last year for what would be our final episode for season two.
I remember telling Chad Calek that we were finally going. He had heard me talk about going to the ranch for months now. “Dude, you gotta let me go,” he said. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Chad and I both have that childhood awe about certain aspects to the paranormal. And Gilliland’s Ranch brought about as much excitement to us as a trip to Disneyworld would be for any red-blooded American child. Yes, Gilliland’s Ranch was our amusement park.
You can watch snippets of the episode here.
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
