Search results

9 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
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 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
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
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
BFRO YEAR: About 1995 Bartow, Polk County, Florida Class B #15310

Possible daylight sighting by fisherman near Bartow

The witness was fishing from a hilltop near a park in Bartow while companions checked lines. She noticed a dark, hairy form protruding chest-high from the water among reeds, seemingly staring at her. She stared back, testing the sighting by closing and averting her eyes, but when companions returned and she tried to point it out, it was gone.

Partial sighting