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66 encounters
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
March 2006 Geneva, Holmes County, Florida Class B #14181

Hunter hears vocalizations, relates other experiences in vicinity

The witness was waiting in a field to turkey hunt around dawn when he heard two distant, high-pitched calls from near the river a few seconds apart. He described the sounds as like a child's yell and unlike any animal he knew, and he heard no answering deeper call. No visual, odor, or tracks were noted with this vocalization event.

Vocalization
Fall 2006 Ashville, Jefferson County, Florida Class B #26393

Man experiences loud yells and tree-shaking while deer hunting near Ashville

The witness was hunting from a tree stand in the late afternoon when he heard very loud, unfamiliar yells from about 150-200 yards away. The yells repeated minutes later from apparently closer. He then watched a small sapling whip violently side to side for about a minute while surrounding grasses did not move similarly. Feeling uneasy as darkness approached, he climbed down and left the woods without ever seeing the source.

VocalizationMovement only
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
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
12 February 2005 Lake County, Florida Class B #12903

Stalking in swamp during Florida BFRO expedition

The witness camped in a forested swamp area after dusk and reported hearing large animals moving around the camp in a triangular pattern, breaking branches and knocking on trees, including between the camp and a nearby vehicle. Later that night with others present, the witness reported a strange gurgling sound followed by a prolonged bout of tree knocking. The witness suggested the sounds implied dexterous animals and doubted humans could move that quickly in the dark swamp.

Wood knockVocalizationTree break
14 November 2002 Jay, Santa Rosa County, Florida Class B #10192

Possible vocalizations and tracks found by hunter on state land near Jay

The witness was scouting for deer sign on a swampy island reachable only with chest waders on a cold clear early afternoon. After the woods became quiet, the witness heard a single call that started like owl hooting and ended with monkey-like sounds and felt another presence nearby. The witness later reported finding large tracks with distinct toes.

VocalizationTracks
15 October 2000 Summerfield, Marion County, Florida Class B #598

Vocalizations and Footsteps heard

On the night of October 28, 2000 the witness was hosting an adult-only backyard barbecue party with about a dozen guests. Around 10 p.m. the group heard loud unidentified sounds from the woods near the back of the property and heard heavy footsteps breaking branches that sounded bipedal. Two men entered the woods with a flashlight but the source stayed distant and was never seen, and no tracks were found in deep oak leaves.

VocalizationFootsteps
22 November 1998 Indiantown, Martin County, Florida Class B #26271

Hunter tells of possible encounters while in the DuPuis Reserve east of Lake Okeechobee

The witness was hunting hogs at dawn in a remote forest area while a companion was stationed about 150 yards away. After noticing paired trails in wet grass and hearing soft splashing from a cypress head, the witness heard a low powerful harrumph-like sound that caused alarm. The witness then took cover behind a dirt mound and watched the area for about an hour without seeing anything leave to the east, west, or south.

VocalizationUnidentified soundTracks
October 1996 Alexander Springs, Ocala Nat. Forest,Aster, Lake County, Florida Class B #1480

3am observation in Alexander Springs (Ocala Nat. Forest) of tall upright animal. Coolers ransacked

The witness and a companion were camping in a tent at Alexander Springs. After playing cards until about 3 a.m., the companion fell asleep while the witness lay awake. The witness heard surrounding animal sounds fall silent, smelled a skunk-like odor, saw a tall upright shadow on the tent wall and heard a grunt-like noise. In the morning the coolers had been ransacked, and the pair left the campground early the next night after feeling uneasy.

SilhouetteVocalizationOdorProperty disturbanceMovement only
18 December 1994 Fasevile Ga, Gadsden County, Florida Class A #246

Daylight sighting by hunter near FL / GA border

In 1994 the witness was hunting on a farm in Florida when a strong foul odor was noticed. Shortly after turning a curve, the witness saw a tall brown bipedal animal about 40 yards away that turned and ran very quickly into the woods. A deep grunt-like vocalization was also heard. The witness did not shoot, citing uncertainty about what it was.

Full-body sightingOdorVocalization
November 1986 Lake Butler, Union County, Florida Class B #23498

Bow hunter describes possible tracks, sounds and scat north of Lake Butler

The witness was archery hunting from a ground blind near a hog wallow when he heard close grunting and breathing that he could not see. After the sounds stopped he inspected the area and found very large scat and large deep tracks leading to and away from the scat. He first assumed hogs and then a very large bear made the sign, but later judged the scat too large for a Florida black bear.

VocalizationTracksScatOdor
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
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
15 August 1981 Inglis, Levy County, Florida Class B #430

Brothers hear howl while trailblazing

Two brothers were trailblazing through dense brush at the edge of a marshy swamp in the morning when they heard a very deep, loud howl that echoed. The sound then changed to match a purported Bigfoot scream recording the witness knew, continuing for about half an hour. They also believed they heard a faint answering call from elsewhere in the swamp.

HowlScreamVocalization
July 1980 NAPLES, Collier County, Florida Class B #13889

Man describes incidents in teen years in swamp area outside Naples

The witness and two companions were exploring a swampy wooded area when they found a large steel cage trap baited with fresh meat. After noticing a foul musty odor, they heard a very loud roar from behind them and fled as a large log flew over their heads. They ran home to tell the witness's mother and stayed out of those woods for a long time.

VocalizationObject throwingOdor
1980–1981 Lady Lake, Lake County, Florida Class B #13976

Possible tracks and sounds outside a home near Lady Lake

As a child staying at a relative's house near lakes and woods, the witness heard growling, snorting and footsteps outside a bedroom window late at night and stayed in bed frightened. The noises lasted several minutes. The next morning the witness found two very large human-like bare footprints in a sand pile in the driveway and measured them, but relatives dismissed them. The witness now interprets the incident as involving a bigfoot.

GrowlVocalizationFootstepsTracks
November 1977 Naranja Near Homestead Fla., Dade County, Florida Class A #21951

Man describes figure looking into window outside Homestead

In fall 1977 a teen woke just before sunrise and looked out his screened window, exchanging grunts with something outside that made the screen vibrate. He and his father then went outside and watched a very large hair-covered creature near the woods that faced them before running into the woods, breaking two small pines as it left. The next day a neighbor reported seeing the creature as well.

Full-body sightingVocalizationTree break
15 January 1975 Coral Springs, Broward County, Florida Class A #592

Two witnesses observed a large, black-brown human-like form between Wiles Rd. and Sample Rd

The witness and a relative were playing in a vacant lot across a narrow canal from a wooded area with a dirt-bike trail. They heard grunting and movement in bushes beside a large tree and saw a large black-brown human-like figure near the tree. The figure reportedly snapped a thick branch at its base with ease, then ran into the woods knocking down small trees.

Full-body sightingVocalizationTree breakMovement only