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72 encounters
4 May 2011 New Smyrna Beach, Brevard County, Florida Class A #29529

Fishing guide with clients approached by a Florida Skunk-Ape in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (includes witness sketch)

The witness was guiding a fishing charter by boat in a remote refuge in the morning when a reddish-brown hairy biped was seen searching a sand bank. The creature approached to close range, stood erect and faced the boat for several seconds, vocalized, then left quietly into mangroves. The sighting lasted about two minutes and was watched by the guide and two clients.

Full-body sightingVocalization
31 October 2010 Inverness, Citrus County, Florida Class B #28450

Possible footprint found and vocalizations heard in the Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area

The witness and a companion were hunting and scouting in a swampy wildlife management area. After hearing something large run off unseen, they found a single fresh human-like barefoot print in mud beside a puddle. They photographed the print and marked the spot, and also noted distant squirrel alarm calls that moved closer then fell silent.

TracksFootsteps
September 2010 Floral City, Citrus County, Florida Class A #29565

Man describes several compelling incidents while hunting in the Withlacoochee State Forest

The witness was driving past a hunting area in the dark with bright headlights on. A large black hairy biped ran across the road from one woodline to the other in three leaps with a bent-kneed stride. It turned its head toward the vehicle but facial details could not be made out except deep-set eyes.

Full-body sightingRoad crossing
November 2009 Century, Escambia County, Florida Class B #26947

Hunter and daughter hear chatter and find possible tracks near Escambia River

The witness and a relative hiked into river swamp woods to hunt squirrel and heard bipedal footsteps described as like a man walking. Later in a meadow they found a single large bare footprint with toes in soft soil around an ant bed, larger than the witness's boot. The witness photographed the track with a shell for scale and measured its length and width.

FootstepsTracks
18 October 2009 Mascote, Sumter County, Florida Class A #26823

Daylight sighting by hunter and son in Richloam Wildlife Management Area

The witness and a relative were driving to a store after hunting when they saw a large hairy biped partly behind a scrub oak beside a curved road. The witness slowed and watched it for about 10-15 seconds from about 20-25 feet away before passing and turning around, by which time it was gone. After returning to the spot they noticed a strong foul odor and large ground impressions with flattened plants.

Full-body sightingOdorTracks
18 October 2009 Mascote, Sumter County, Florida Class A #28200

Father and son have very close daylight sighting in the Green Swamp

The witness and a relative were driving on a road through a hunting area late in the morning when they saw a large hair-covered biped beside the road at very close range. The vehicle passed within a few feet of the creature, then they turned around to look again. The creature had left the roadside and left a trail of disturbed vegetation and indistinct footprints. They described its size, build, hair, and facial features in detail.

Full-body sightingOdorTracksTree break
2 April 2008 Pittman, Lake County, Florida Class B #23582

Possible stick structure and track found in the Ocala National Forest (w/YouTube videos)

The witness was hiking on a trail and noticed a tall structure made of bent and broken trees that he thought might be related to Sasquatch activity. He recorded video of the structure. While heading back, a relative showed him a large possible footprint in sand, which he also recorded.

Structure or nestTree breakTwistTracks
February 2008 Wakulla, Wakulla County, Florida Class A #23570

Two hikers see an upright ape running off into the brush in Apalachicola National Forest

Two companions hiking in Apalachicola National Forest stopped at a shallow brook to cool off. After leaving the water they heard rocks colliding and sticks breaking and went to investigate. They glimpsed an ape-like biped charging away through thick brush, breaking limbs and leaving a foul odor. Afterwards they noted disturbed rocks and a partial heel print that later dried out and was not photographed.

Partial sightingTracksOdorTree breakUnidentified sound
December 2007 [Naples Is The Nearest Big Town], Collier County, Florida Class B #22156

More Tracks Found in the Big Cypress Region (w/photos)

The witness was hiking with a companion when they found two sets of unusual tracks about a mile apart. One set showed an abducted ape-like toe, while the other showed unusually splayed toe prints unlike a human print. Photos of the tracks were later shared with an investigator for review.

Tracks
11 November 2007 Ochopee, Collier County, Florida Class B #22122

Possible footprint found near Ochopee (see Photo)

The witness was hiking in the Big Cypress Preserve when they found a single large footprint off the side of an old road or trail. They searched outward for additional tracks, then measured and photographed the impression. The witness reported feeling uneasy and looking over their shoulder while documenting it.

Tracks
12 July 2007 Leesburg, Lake County, Florida Class A #19958

Dusk sighting by hikers in Flat Island Preserve

The witness and a companion were walking a nature trail at night when they heard repeated wood-on-wood knocking. They approached the sound and saw a tall muscular figure that looked at them briefly before running away. Both witnesses were later interviewed separately and estimated the figure at 7 to 8 feet tall.

Full-body sightingWood knockVocalizationFootsteps
June 2007 Paltka/Bardin, Putnam County, Florida Class B #25979

Man finds possible footprint outside Palatka

The witness was hiking alone on the Florida Trail when he found very large bare human-like footprints on a dirt road that had been clear of prints shortly before. He did not see the track-maker but reported feeling watched and then hearing a yelp described as half dog and half human. He did not photograph the prints and hurried back to his truck.

TracksVocalization
17 November 2006 Middleburg, Clay County, Florida Class A #16727

Nighttime sighting by teen at Lake Asbury off HWY 739 outside Middleburg

The witness was at a wooded church camp at night when a tall black-haired biped trotted across about 50 feet away for about seven seconds. The witness noted a dome-like head, very large shoulders, and long arms hanging straight down while the shoulders twisted with movement. About a minute later a strong foul odor was noticed, followed minutes later by a series of loud hoots. The next morning the witness found large human-like barefoot tracks in sand.

Full-body sightingVocalizationOdorTracks
November 2006 Land O Lakes, Pasco County, Florida Class A #24266

Boy sees large creature peering at him from behind a tree next to Cypress Creek Wellfield

The witness was playing in woods near home with companions when breaking sticks and sounds of something large approaching were heard through dense undergrowth. Sticks were thrown as the group retreated, and the witness briefly saw a very tall hair-covered biped peering from behind a large tree before running out scared. The initial report of something big was brushed off until similar local reports months later prompted detailed questioning.

Partial sightingObject throwingOdorFootsteps
12 April 2006 Taylor, Baker County, Florida Class B #26276

Man growing up near Taylor recalls several incidents

The witness and a companion were hunting turkey near a swamp and clear-cut when the bird they were following went silent. While returning toward their truck they found a very large footprint at a water hole where the swamp crossed the road. They believed the track explained why the turkey stopped sounding and left the area quickly.

Tracks
4 March 2006 Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida Class A #14021

Daylight sighting by two ATV riders near Lake Placid

While riding ATVs, the witness and two companions came around a corner and saw a large dark upright figure standing on the trail ahead watching them. As they approached closer, the figure turned and jogged into the woods beside the trail. They went to the spot where it entered the woods and found several large footprints in the sand but did not see it again.

Full-body sightingTracks
September 2005 Dunnellon/ Inglis, Levy County, Florida Class A #17644

Daylight Sighting in the Goethe State Forest

The witness and a companion were scouting in a state forest when they noticed a strong foul odor. They saw an upright figure down a trail, watched it kneel in palmettos staring at them for many minutes, then saw it stand and cross the trail followed by a smaller similar figure into dense brush. They later found two footprints larger than the witness's foot.

Full-body sightingOdorTracks
September 2005 Lakeland, Hernando County, Florida Class B #22074

Possible early morning encounter by hunters in the Green Swamp

Two people were sitting around a campfire in early-morning darkness when they heard heavy footsteps approaching through the woods. A creature passed through the campsite toward the river, then ran back and into the woods behind the camp, seen only as a fire-lit silhouette. After hunting from stands, they returned and found large five-toed footprints in sand that they felt were too large to be human.

FootstepsSilhouetteTracks
April 2005 Down By Museum, Collier County, Florida Class B #18737

Campers report possible vocalization and footprint in Big Cypress National Preserve

The witness was family camping in the Big Cypress area when she noticed a tall black shape in the woods that vanished minutes later. Around 4 a.m. she awoke to a distant wailing sound with heavy breathing that approached the campsite, passed by the tents and left down a trail, waking several companions who also heard it. In the morning the group followed the direction of travel and found large wide footprints with a four-toe appearance in a sandy trail that had not been there the day before.

SilhouetteVocalizationTracks
15 June 2004 Salt Springs, Marion County, Florida Class A #23076

Road grader operator observes creature crossing logging road in Ocala National Forest

The witness was grading a remote forest road around noon when he spotted a large hairy creature about 200 yards ahead standing by the road and looking at him. After watching for about a minute, the creature crossed the road in three steps and disappeared into the woods. The witness drove to the crossing point and found large human-like footprints and broken branches, left food and water, and found them untouched on his return pass.

Full-body sightingRoad crossingTracksTree break