Search results

26 encounters
May 2026 Bergholz, Jefferson County, Ohio Class B #80158

Family is frightened from the woods by unseen creature and loud knocks near Yellow Creek

A family of four was sitting by a lake when they heard crashing and crunching of something large moving in the woods about 50 yards away. This was followed by three very loud knocks from the same area where two children had just been playing and chopping trees. The group left immediately while the adult male stood watch, and later searches found only game sign and a few possible tracks.

Wood knockFootsteps
September 2024 Stark/ Carroll County Line, Carroll County, Ohio Class B #78936

Wood knocks and branches thrown near strip mine ponds 9 miles southeast of Canton

The witness was fishing alone at a series of strip-mine ponds when he heard snorting, brush movement, and then loud wood-on-wood knocks that continued as he walked out. As he headed uphill to his truck he saw distant movement behind brush in dense cover. He interpreted the sounds and movement as Sasquatch warning him away, shouted that he was leaving, and drove off.

Wood knockMovement onlyFootstepsVocalization
April 2020 Morristown, Belmont County, Ohio Class B #65305

Footsteps near Morristown, Ohio (2020)

Two people were night fishing from their truck beside a creek. They heard heavy-sounding bipedal-like footsteps moving on the far bank, followed by single hoot-like calls from two positions and later a loud crashing sound like a tree falling. They stayed a while longer before leaving.

FootstepsVocalizationTree break
25 June 2017 Rockbridge, Hocking County, Ohio Class B #57774

Possible footprint find near Rockbridge State Nature Preserve

The witness was hiking a loop trail in a nature preserve in the afternoon. After hearing something large move away through the woods, the witness noticed a single large footprint on the hard trail surface and photographed it. A loud crash in the trees overhead then frightened the witness, who left the area quickly.

TracksFootstepsUnidentified sound
17 June 2017 West Union, Adams County, Ohio Class B #58703

Strange occurrences at a rural cabin near West Union causes owner to put it up for sale

A couple staying overnight on the screened porch of a wooded cabin report two nights of disturbance in June 2017. The first night included talk-like and giggling sounds followed by an hour of limbs breaking all around them. The second night something vocalized loudly near the creek, rushed toward the cabin causing felt impacts, then ran off breaking wood. The next morning they found widespread broken limbs and a snapped tree but no footprints, and did not return.

HowlScreamGrowlVocalizationFootsteps +2
17 June 2013 Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio Class B #41452

Couple flees their camp site after a possible late night encounter at Salt Fork State Park

The witnesses were camped overnight in a tent when they heard loud screams and later activity just outside the tent described as pulling grass. One witness shined a flashlight toward the tree line and reported large yellow eyes close together that then turned toward the woods. They reported hearing movement retreating into the woods, then packed their vehicle and drove home in the early morning hours.

ScreamEyeshineFootsteps
3 March 2012 Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio Class B #34664

Fishermen describe nightime encounter at Clendening Lake near Buckeye Trail

Two people were fishing at night by a creek feeding into a lake when they heard loud man-like screams from several directions and distances. After one scream was mimicked and answered from farther away, they heard splashes and rocks landing in the water around them. They put out their fire, shouted a warning, then retreated to their truck as another rock landed nearby and left.

ScreamRock throwingFootsteps
August 2011 Hillsoboro, Adams County, Ohio Class B #30369

Photo of a possible footprint taken by campers in the Fort Hill Area

The witness was hiking with two companions on a hill trail when they found a large human-like footprint in mud. Shortly after, they heard a loud crash like a tree or branch breaking and then heard something moving in dense brush alongside the trail, keeping pace as they walked. The follower stopped when they stopped and continued for several minutes before stopping. They never saw the source and photographed the track.

TracksFootstepsUnidentified sound
6 July 2010 Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio Class B #27972

Family camping at Shawnee State Forest has possible encounter

A family camping at a wooded campsite was awakened around 4 a.m. by strange calling sounds and heavy footsteps behind their tent. After shouting, they heard heavy stomping retreat into the woods and fled to their car. They returned later that morning, heard heavy breathing and had a stick thrown toward them before retreating again, later finding disturbed garbage and an opened food packet before leaving.

VocalizationFootstepsSilhouetteObject throwingProperty disturbance
17 June 2009 Atwater, Portage County, Ohio Class B #31000

Possible night time encounter while fishing near Atwater

Two brothers were night-fishing from a secluded point when they broadcast loud predator calls for about 90 minutes and then sat quietly. The witness heard footsteps approaching through the woods and shone a high-powered spotlight toward the sound. A loud, deafening scream/roar erupted, terrifying both men, who then gathered gear and left with one covering their exit. They reported sensing movement about 20 to 30 yards away and hearing branches breaking in another direction but seeing no distinct shape.

ScreamFootstepsMovement only
June 2009 Peebles, Adams County, Ohio Class B #34932

Possible day and nighttime encounter by campers west of Alexander Salamon Airport

The witness was camping overnight with family and companions. He stepped out of his tent in the early morning to relieve himself and heard grunting very close by, then went back inside. While inside he heard movement approach, contact with a vehicle and brushing along the tent with grunting and sniffing, before it walked away.

VocalizationFootstepsVehicle contactProperty disturbance
10 June 2008 Mogadore, Portage County, Ohio Class B #23980

Woman recounts possible night time encounter near Mogadore

A group walking on a path by a closed campground at night heard something large crashing through trees alongside them. A very large rock then landed a few feet away with enough force to vibrate the ground, followed by a loud growl. The group left the area immediately.

FootstepsRock throwingGrowl
22 September 2007 Saybrook, Ashtabula County, Ohio Class B #29018

Woman recounts possible early evening sighting near Saybrook

The witness was driving home with her son at dusk when a tall, dark-furred biped with long arms crossed the road in front of their vehicle in about three strides and entered the woods. After pulling into the driveway, they noticed a strong rotten odor and heard branches breaking and a high-pitched woot sound. They went inside, and the odor was gone when the witness returned outside an hour later.

Full-body sightingRoad crossingOdorFootstepsWhoop
7 September 2007 Harrisville OH, Harrison County, Ohio Class B #63140

Multiple encounters near an old strip mine just outside of Harrisville

The witness and a companion camped beside a strip pond after fishing and cooking. Around 4 a.m. the witness awoke to heavy footsteps coming down a steep high wall to the tent, followed by heavy breathing and a throat-clear that mimicked his own. He shouted that he had a gun while his companion remained asleep, then heard the visitor drink from the water with its hands, sit briefly by the tent, and climb back up. The next morning they found 18-inch tracks at the edge of the reeds.

FootstepsVocalizationUnidentified soundTracks
August 1991 Canton, Stark County, Ohio Class B #17189

Close encounter remembered and possible vocalizations heard and recorded near Minerva

The witness camped alone on pine needles above old coal mines after companions left for the night. Around 3 a.m. he awoke feeling watched to dead silence, then heard loud ape-like screams from both ends of camp at intervals. He saw a very large hairy biped cross the camp about 20 to 30 feet away and felt its steps through the ground. He walked quickly out of the camp and ran to his parents' house once clear of the woods.

Partial sightingScreamFootsteps
14 September 1988 Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio Class B #12789

Night time sighting by resident near Germantown

Late at night the witness left a friend's house to walk a short distance home and heard rustling and branches breaking behind him. While running he heard a loud high-pitched scream he did not recognize. He paused at his doorway and watched a large dark figure part pine trees and come over a fence in streetlight before fleeing inside.

SilhouetteScreamFootsteps
August 1988 Batesville, Noble County, Ohio Class B #4962

Hunter states that vocalizations heard near Batesville are identical to recordings on BFRO site

The witness spent several hours alone in a hayfield shooting groundhogs while hearing intermittent crashing and twig snaps from adjacent brush. At dusk after standing to retrieve game, the nearby brush erupted with loud crashing and a loud scream, and the witness shouted back reflexively. The witness then walked toward the barn with rifle ready while snapping sounds followed in the brush until fading near the barn.

ScreamFootsteps
June 1988 Sandyville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio Class B #4980

Night sighting near Sandyville

Four young people went to a collapsed train tunnel late at night and sat on top of the entrance. They reported an overpowering odor, snapping twigs, loud crashing through trees, a low growl, heavy footsteps they could feel, and a loud thud. As they ran back to their car, the reporter glimpsed huge hairy legs and a large hand with long dark nails, then they drove away quickly after the car lurched.

Partial sightingGrowlFootstepsMovement onlyOdor +1
May 1988 Xenia, Greene County, Ohio Class B #31100

Possible stalking of ROTC Unit at Indian Mound Reserve

The witness was leading a small ROTC patrol on a nighttime escape-and-evasion exercise along creek and cliff trails. The group heard movement and walking above them with small rocks falling, found no one when they climbed to search, then heard heavy running footsteps and branches being swiped aside approaching them that caused the patrol to flee to a field edge. The opposing unit later said it never left base, and a next-day visit found snapped branches above head height but no tracks.

FootstepsRock throwingTree breakMovement only
October 1987 Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio Class B #4957

Hunter has dusk sighting in Oberlin area

The witness was bow-hunting deer from a tree stand beside a cut path through pines at dusk. After hearing movement and deep grunts approach, the witness saw a large bipedal figure jump across the path while emitting a loud scream. The figure ran into a wooded area, and a neighbor also heard the screaming and wood-breaking sounds.

Partial sightingVocalizationScreamFootsteps