Search results

10 encounters
December 2012 Folkston, Nassau County, Florida Class A #39080

Late night sighting by a stranded boater on the St. Marys River

After their boat motor failed, two companions camped overnight by a campfire on the riverbank. Around midnight they heard something approaching through the woods, followed by loud growling, grunting, stomping and tree knocks. One of them shone a light across the narrow river and saw a head, shoulder and red eyes looking back before it retreated, continuing noise for over an hour. They left at first light and were later towed back to the landing.

Partial sightingEyeshineGrowlVocalizationWood knock +3
11 April 2012 Not Disclosed At This Time, Hillsborough County, Florida Class B #35053

Hitch-hiker tells of his possible nighttime encounter along I-75

The witness was hitchhiking and camped for the night in a hammock under a river bridge. During the night he heard unknown noises, a cough/grunt sound, whistles, rocks thrown toward him, and a very loud crash near his hammock. He smelled a skunk-like odor and felt watched as he packed up and left, then continued his trip by bus.

Unidentified soundVocalizationWhistleRock throwingWood knock +1
8 January 2012 Bronson, Levy County, Florida Class B #31933

Hunter experiences dusk encounters in Goethe State Forest

On the second evening the witness walked a sandy horse trail about a half mile from an earlier brush trail. He reported hearing an unfamiliar screech/growl, answering wood knocks, loud stomping nearby, and a rock thrown past him, followed by crashing in the brush. He then found a very large bare footprint that he photographed with his shoe for scale before leaving quickly without ever seeing the source.

GrowlScreamWood knockFootstepsRock throwing +2
November 2011 Ocala National Forest (Fort McCoy) Fl, Marion County, Florida Class B #32332

Hunter has series of possible incidents on private property near Ocala

The witness claims that while hunting alone from a climber in a tree near a swamp, he heard heavy steps approaching followed by two loud claps like trees being struck together. Minutes later he heard an extremely loud, deep growl from behind him that repeated after the animal stepped closer. He reports being terrified and describes the animal as foul-smelling and territorial.

FootstepsWood knockGrowlOdor
11 October 2011 Masscotte Or Ridge Manor, Sumter County, Florida Class B #36915

Possible daytime encounter by a father and son hunting in the Richloam Wildlife Management Area

Two people bow hunting in swampy woods heard distant knocking and noticed trees shaking. While on a small hill they both saw a large reddish-brown animal crouched behind a large stump at too great a distance for details. They then left the woods.

Partial sightingWood knockOdor
April 2010 Naples, Collier County, Florida Class B #39382

Frightening encounter experienced on family property outside Naples

Three people spending the night in a trailer heard distant howling that grew closer and seemed to come from more than one direction, and they called back. Small stones were thrown toward them, and they heard stomping, grunting, knocking, movement in brush close by, and trees breaking. They retreated into a bedroom where screaming, walking, and contact with the outside of the trailer continued for about an hour while one of them looked through window blinds and was left frightened.

HowlScreamGrowlWood knockFootsteps +4
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
24 May 2005 Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida Class B #12068

Possible intimidation behavior experienced while shining for alligators in Ormond Beach

Two people were shining lights for alligators beside a lake at night when vegetation beside the dock shook and repeated knocking like wood hitting a tree was heard. A nearby tree then fell, and as they ran toward safety they heard heavy steps and grunting keeping pace parallel to them. About an hour later they returned and found a tall tree freshly snapped about eight feet up with dripping sap and a hair on a branch.

Movement onlyWood knockTree breakTwistFootsteps +2
November 1981 Perry, Fla, Taylor County, Florida Class B #28263

Man recalls his terrifying encounter near the Econfino State Park while camping with his family

The witness and relatives were sleeping in lean-tos at a family hunting camp when the witness was awakened by shouting and gunfire. A relative said a tall, hairy figure had loomed over the shelter and then fled into the woods with loud crashing sounds. The group reported a strong foul odor around the camp and wood knocks shortly afterward, then left at sunrise.

Partial sightingVocalizationOdorMovement onlyWood knock
about two years into it Florida #1d45ea7a-54fb-413d-a3f8-ee0576848194

Wood knock in Florida

The witness and his friend were watching a creek on the same property and exchanged knocks with something across the creek that came closer. Then a red light appeared on the ground between them that could only be seen peripherally and moved up. He calls this the first of many light incidents.

Wood knockMovement only