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1,563 encounters
December 1985 Del Norte County, California Class A #1551

Campers hear screams, and find large footprints

The witness and a companion were walking a dog on a loop trail in redwood forest when the dog lunged up a steep embankment toward crunching and branch-breaking sounds from above. They followed a short distance to a ridge and found freshly broken lower tree branches up to about ten feet high and large human-like foot impressions in the duff that lacked claw marks. The source of the noise was gone by the time they reached the top, and they returned cross-country to the main trail.

FootstepsTracksTree break
October 1985 Silver Bay, Lake County, Minnesota Class A #4777

Daytime vocalizations and sighting by grouse hunters near Silver Bay along Lake Superior's north shore

Two companions hunting grouse in a remote swampy forest heard repeated loud howls and sensed a large animal moving nearby. They left their birds behind and headed toward the exit trail while the animal paralleled them through dense brush, stopping when they stopped. In a backlit clearing they observed the full outline of a tall, dark, hair-covered biped that crossed difficult terrain with remarkable speed. The animal ceased following as they reached a more traveled ridge trail.

SilhouetteFull-body sightingHowlVocalizationFootsteps
October 1985 Kernville, Tulare County, California Class B #11407

Two young men camping in the high country, hear vocals

Two companions were camping away from developed sites and sitting by a campfire in the evening when they heard loud shrill scream-growl vocalizations that seemed to come closer over time. The surrounding forest reportedly fell silent and they felt frightened and that something was close. They turned off music, readied firearms, heard another series of screams later that night, and slept with guns for protection.

ScreamGrowlFootsteps
October 1985 Humboldt County, California Class B #2176

Large footprints found by witnesses

The witness and a friend were walking their dog on a trail when the dog lunged up a steep embankment toward loud crunching and branch-breaking sounds from above. They followed a short way to the top of a ridge but the source of the noise was gone. On top they found freshly broken lower tree branches up to 10 feet high and foot-like impressions in the duff without claw marks, then returned cross-country to the trail.

TracksTree breakFootsteps
October 1985 Gasquet, Del Norte County, California Class B #4445

Campers hear late night scream near Gasquet

In 1985 the witness and a companion were remote camping near Patrick Creek when they heard loud primate-like screams and conversational voices from a nearby ridge around 11 p.m. During the night the witness heard heavy tramping and deep breathing just outside the tent while a normally bold dog hid trembling inside. At dawn the witness found the campsite duff heavily scuffed with signs of foot traffic that had not been there the previous evening.

ScreamVocalizationFootstepsTracksUnidentified sound
8 August 1985 Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah County, Virginia Class B #62934

Campers report 'Ohio howls' and stalking near Mt. Jackson in George Washington National Forest

Two people camped in a remote, heavily forested area heard prolonged, loud howls from a nearby ridge, along with heavy footsteps and crashing through brush. After briefly walking up the road to listen, they felt the source paced them and then moved closer downhill toward them. They returned to camp, kept the fire built up, and continued hearing sporadic howls and movement until they fell asleep after midnight.

HowlFootstepsMovement only
August 1985 Coral Springs, Broward County, Florida Class B #17011

Man describes teenage incident -- possible intimidation approach at 2 AM in Coral Springs, at the edge of the Everglades

Three children were camping in a tent in a backyard near a canal when they heard loud dumpster noises and deep grunting from across the canal. They then heard heavy footsteps approaching and a large splash about 50 yards away as something appeared to enter the canal toward them. They fled screaming to the house, and the adult found the tent leveled, moved from its stakes, and covered in water and mud.

VocalizationFootstepsProperty disturbance
1 July 1985 Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California Class B #4886

Two men hear afternoon vocalization near Fort Bragg

The witness and a companion were at a house overlooking a river when they heard loud crashing from the forest across the river. They then heard vocalizations that began as grunting and a deep loud moo-like sound and rose into a very loud high-pitched scream. After vocalizing, the unseen source moved rapidly inland through the forest until its footsteps could no longer be heard. The witness concluded the sounds were made by a Bigfoot, noting the speed and distance covered did not match a cow.

VocalizationScreamGrowlFootstepsMovement only
July 1985 Yelm, Thurston County, Washington Class B #1585

Witness reports bad smell and a scream

During a week-long military field exercise, the witness spent the final night alone in a forward foxhole on guard duty. Around 2 a.m. he heard loud bipedal footfalls pass his position, followed by a strong putrid odor. About 45 minutes later he heard a distant loud scream. He saw nothing and remained at his post until morning, when the odor still lingered.

FootstepsOdorScream
July 1985 Trout Lake WA, Skamania County, Washington Class B #270

Campers awakened by late-night visitor in the Indian Heaven Wilderness

The witness was camped with a companion, a child relative and a dog at a campground. During a daytime hike the dog became reluctant to continue and stayed close, and the witness noticed rustling in brush. Late that night the dog barked and dug frantically at the closed tent door, then after voices inside the tent heavy two-footed footsteps were heard running away.

FootstepsMovement only
June 1985 Twin Valley, Scioto County, Ohio Class A #5229

Man recalls seeing a strange bipedal animal during his one and only hunting trip

The witness, then 15, was squirrel hunting with two relatives in forested hills when he descended into a hollow and saw a dark brown creature sitting on a large rock. The creature stood on two legs and ran off quickly while walking noises were heard on both sides and a strong odor filled the air. The group left the area shortly after at the father's urging.

Full-body sightingFootstepsOdor
1985–1986 Hanna, Duchesne County, Utah Class B #20430

Possible camp stalking at Betsy Lake, Grandaddy Basin, Uinta Mountains

The witness was camping with relatives by a lake and sleeping in a tent. Around 2-3 a.m. the witness was awakened by heavy footsteps outside, something touching the tent, and sounds from the lake. The witness shouted and went outside, after which two unseen presences reportedly ran past the tents and left. A relative in another tent also heard them run past.

FootstepsProperty disturbanceUnidentified sound
Summer 1985 Groveland;, Tuolumne County, California Class B #816

Camper experiences strange night time visitor near Groveland

The witness was camping in a remote area near Yosemite, sleeping in a tent set apart from companions' tents. Very late at night while drifting toward sleep, the witness heard heavy footsteps moving around the tent and became frightened. The witness ran to a companion's tent; the companions reported hearing nothing, and the night was noted as unusually quiet with no crickets. No visual observation was made.

Footsteps
Spring 1985 Butte County, California Class B #1548

Several reports of vocalization sounds.

A resident went to the outhouse around 2 or 3 in the morning and heard something very large moving on two legs through dense brush toward him. The creature made deep guttural grunts that sounded aggressive and left the resident feeling severely threatened. The resident ran back to the house while hearing it follow below the trail.

FootstepsGrowl
December 1984 Shelton, Mason County, Washington Class B #9168

Boy wakes and has sighting through bedroom window in Shelton

The witness was sleeping alone in the family home when they awoke suddenly in the early morning and saw a dark head-shaped outline at the bedroom window, apparently peering inside. The figure immediately fled off the deck and ran around the house into the woods behind, moving very fast and making loud crashing noises. The witness was frightened and spent subsequent nights at a relative's house nearby.

Partial sightingSilhouetteFootstepsMovement only
November 1984 Somerset County, Pennsylvania Class A #3571

Big, fast moving creature seen near Laurel Hill Turnpike

The witness was walking back from a grassy field off an old road when they felt watched and smelled a strong odor like body odor and wet dog. They then glimpsed something out of the corner of their eye moving parallel to the road through dense woods. They described it as larger and faster than a bear and noisy while moving, and they left quickly without checking for tracks.

Partial sightingOdorFootsteps
October 1984 Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan Class B #15514

Possible stalking at rural school bus stop near Benzonia, Michigan

The witness was alone waiting for the school bus before dawn at the edge of woods. He heard heavy footsteps in dry leaves that appeared to pace him as he moved along the road. As he boarded the arriving bus he heard a deep growl from the woods behind him. He searched the area later that day and found nothing.

FootstepsGrowl
October 1984 St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida Class A #1003

Two horseback riders see hairy creature

Two companions were riding horses south alongside railroad tracks when they noticed a foul odor, breaking branches, restless horses, and the sound of movement on the track rocks. They then saw a single slim, reddish-brown hair-covered figure standing in a partial crouch in the middle of the tracks about 150 yards away, watching them. The witnesses struggled to control their horses and left the area without returning.

Full-body sightingOdorFootstepsUnidentified sound
August 1984 Manchester, Dearborn County, Indiana Class A #25454

Man remembers observing creature taking food while camping near Manchester

The witness and four companions were camping overnight near a pond when they heard vocalizations and heavy footsteps approaching. The group hid in their tent while something raided their food bag hung in a tree and ate their snacks. The witness peeked out and watched a large hairy biped squatting nearby eating bean dip before it stood and walked away up the trail. At dawn they found the food cache torn down and learned another nearby camp had also been raided.

Full-body sightingHowlScreamFootstepsOdor +1
1 August 1984 Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee Class B #25377

Man remembers a scary encounter while camping with friends near Hampton

In August 1984 four teenagers were camping overnight on a wooded ridge when they heard unexplained noises and their dogs became agitated. A very loud yell came from just behind their lean-to, which shook visibly, causing the group to flee through the dark woods. One teen briefly froze before following, later reporting grunting and footsteps behind him. The next day the group found the lean-to torn down, the fire pit rocks scattered, and a strong wet-dog-like odor at the site.

ScreamGrowlFootstepsUnidentified soundOdor +1