Claimed encounters in Polk County, Florida

21 entries reported in Polk County, Florida, each linked to the report or podcast segment it came from. Narrow them down with the filters, or see them on the map.

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21 encounters
2 August 2017 Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida Class B #57991

Large brown figure seen standing in water near Lake Wales

Three relatives driving on a rural Florida road at midday spotted a large dull-brown human-like figure standing waist-deep in a swampy marsh area with its arms away from its body and head down. After driving on briefly, they turned around to look again but the figure was gone. They agreed they had all seen the same strange thing and could not explain it as a cow or tree.

Partial sighting
24 April 2014 Nalcrest, Polk County, Florida Class A #49777

Motorist has nighttime sighting and strange incidents near Lake Weohyakapka

The witness was driving home in the evening near Tiger Creek when headlights revealed a tall, dark, hair-covered figure standing by a road sign. At first the witness thought it was a bear on its hind legs, but it turned away and walked upright into dense woods, appearing unbothered by the vehicle. The witness returned the next day to look for footprints but loose sand and overnight rain left no clear trace.

Full-body sighting
31 May 2013 Groveland, Polk County, Florida Class B #41309

Possible daylight sighting by a bicyclist on the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail

The witness was bicycling on a trail through swamp in the early afternoon when two dark brown figures crossed the trail about 200 yards ahead. The figures paused briefly to look toward the witness, then ran off into an area with no visible trail and a steep bank and quickly disappeared from sight. The witness thought they looked like Bigfoots but considered a hoax or soldiers as possible explanations, and noted a large military helicopter flew overhead just after.

Full-body sightingPossible hoaxPossible misidentification
16 May 2013 Highland City, Polk County, Florida Class B #41265

Possible sighitng at dusk by father and daughter riding an ATV near Bartow

The witness and his daughter were riding a four-wheeler through orange groves to watch pigs when they stopped to listen. They heard several loud noises likened to yelling or a panther cry, then both saw a large dark upright figure move quickly between tree rows. Frightened, they left quickly, and the witness later concluded it resembled a Sasquatch.

Partial sightingVocalization
13 April 2013 Poinciana, Polk County, Florida Class B #45883

Two deputy sheriffs report hearing possible vocalizations while hog hunting near Poinciana

Two men were hog hunting at night in woods near a lake when they heard a loud deep chuffing sound given four times from several hundred yards away, followed by complete silence of other animals. About an hour later they heard the same sound much louder from about 50 yards away and heard something moving slowly westward along the treeline. They remained frightened and sat back-to-back for the rest of the night and later could not identify the sound.

VocalizationFootsteps
4 January 2012 Groveland, Polk County, Florida Class B #51800

Three black figures seen moving thru a hunting area during the daytime in the Green Swamp

A lone hunter lying prone in a pine plantation in the early afternoon watched three tall dark figures cross about 10 yards in front of him. The figures walked upright in single file into a cypress swamp, after which loud banging sounds were heard from the swamp. The witness first assumed they were hunters in black ghillie suits but later questioned that explanation.

Full-body sightingWood knock
1 November 2008 Zephyrhills, Polk County, Florida Class A #25129

Hunter watches creature picking persimmons in the Green Swamp

The witness was scouting for deer near a persimmon tree in the evening when he noticed an animal feeding. Initially thinking it was a bear, he watched for about 20 minutes as it alternated between standing to pick fruit and dropping to the ground. When it left, it walked away upright on two legs for about 40 yards, convincing him it was not a bear.

Full-body sightingAnimal behaviour
1 December 2006 Haines City And Avon Prk, Polk County, Florida Class B #16823

Family describes repeated incidents on their property near Lake Wales

The witness and spouse were preparing to grill in the evening when they noticed an extremely foul dead-like odor. The witness retrieved a gun, then three loud knocks or bangs sounded on the side of the shed. The spouse backed quickly away from the shed and wooded area, and they saw nothing upon looking around.

Wood knockOdor
2004–2005 Mulberry, Polk County, Florida Class A #12732

Couple describes vocals and a sighting on their fence-line outside Mulberry

The witness was at home when she heard her dog whining and barking. She looked out the back door window and saw a tall, hairy figure standing at the fence line apparently watching the yard and fire area. Frightened, she quietly left the window with the dog and hid under blankets. She associates the visits with late-night fires and a strong foul odor.

Full-body sightingOdor
January 1978 Brewster, Polk County, Florida Class A #24032

Multiple witness motorist sighting in daylight at the edge of the Alafia River

On New Year's morning in 1978 the witness was riding as a passenger south on Highway 37 over the Alafia River when she saw a large hairy figure squatting at the water's edge splashing water. She got out at the bridge rail for a closer look; the figure looked up, stood, briefly faced her, then climbed the bank into the woods. Her sister, the driver, saw it as it entered the woods, after which they left in the car.

Full-body sighting
September 1974 Lakeland, Polk County, Florida Class A #11812

Twilight sighting on the west side of Lakeland

Two people were sitting outside watching the sunset when they heard muffled tapping like wood being chopped from behind a house across the street. They stood to look and then watched a very large upright monkey-like animal climb a pine, jump to another tree, pause briefly, and jump down from an estimated 20 feet.

Full-body sightingWood knock
This year Late at night about 12-2am Mulberry, Polk County, Florida Related account #12732

Unidentified sound near Mulberry, Florida

The witness reports noises have returned late at night while sitting by fires this year.

Unidentified sound
The next night Mulberry, Polk County, Florida Related account #12732

Footsteps near Mulberry, Florida

The witness and her spouse heard something large running and knocking down trees approaching them and went inside.

FootstepsTree break
last year when it was cool enough to sit around a fire Mulberry, Polk County, Florida Related account #12732

Growl near Mulberry, Florida

The witness, her spouse, and neighbors heard an unfamiliar growl or deep groan from the woods while sitting by a fire.

Growl
BFRO YEAR: 1979 or 80 East Of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida Class B #1608

Noise, like wood being banged against tree. Tracks found

The witness was on a trail on a sunny hot afternoon when a loud impact like a large stick hitting a large tree trunk was heard 20 to 30 yards off the trail. Tracks were later found in the area several weeks afterward. Two other witnesses were said to have been involved but would not come forward.

Wood knock
Last fall Turkey hunt Zephyrhills, Polk County, Florida Related account #25129

Howl near Zephyrhills, Florida

During a previous turkey hunt the witness and a companion heard an unfamiliar loud vocalization described as between a howl and a guttural growl.

HowlGrowl
BFRO YEAR: 1985 86 Lakeland Fla, Polk County, Florida Class B #3918

Hunter has unexplained, late night encounter while in small boat on Saddle Creek

Late at night the witness paddled a small boat up a creek with two dogs and heard something following on the bank, then a loud blowing noise. The dogs refused to go ashore and later barked intensely. The witness shone a light and saw a large ape-like figure running away over a hill, then noticed a group of tracks while leaving. A skunk-like brassy odor was noted before the sighting.

Partial sightingTracksOdorUnidentified sound
Another time Haines City And Avon Prk, Polk County, Florida Related account #16823

Sasquatch sighting near Haines City And Avon Prk, Florida

A young child playing near the steps screamed about a monster and ran inside, and has since feared going alone near the fence line.

Partial sighting
Date unknown Haines City And Avon Prk, Polk County, Florida Related account #16823

Sasquatch sighting near Haines City And Avon Prk, Florida

A relative walking a dog behind a camper trailer reported seeing a figure, after which the dog pulled hard to return inside.

Partial sightingAnimal behaviour
it wasnt even 5 minutes he was gone Haines City And Avon Prk, Polk County, Florida Related account #16823

Footsteps near Haines City And Avon Prk, Florida

Shortly after the main incident, the witness and a child heard shuffling in gravel, strange breathing, and breaking branches from inside the home.

FootstepsUnidentified sound