YEAR: 2000(?)

SEASON: Spring

MONTH: May

DATE: ?

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Jasper County

LOCATION DETAILS: Longitude-87.97622 Lattitude-38.94564

NEAREST TOWN: Ste. Marie

NEAREST ROAD: Not sure. Its all rural roads.

OBSERVED: Around five years ago me and a buddy were mushroom hunting and came across about ten feet prints walking down a almost dried creek. The creek went from water to a muddy spot about 15'(?) long and then back to water. It looked like they walked out of the water into the mud making the prints then back into the water on the other side. The feet prints were from bare feet as the toe and heel impression were very reconizable. They were about the size of my size twelve shoe and had a longer leg stance then me (i'm about 5'10"). They went east straight down the creek/ditch heading towards the Embarrass River which is about 1/8 mile away from the prints.

There shouldn't have been anyone walking barefoot down a creek down in the bottoms so that's what really got our attention. There are no houses within miles and there are no campgrounds or any reason anyone other then farmers or hunters to be down there and I just can't conceive any of them not wearing boots and not to mention walking down a creek with water in it. We were going to get pictures but didn't get to it in time because it ended up raining a few days later.

OTHER WITNESSES: 2, mushroom hunting.

OTHER STORIES: Yes, I have heard of several incidents of sightings around the Ste. Marie area. Don't know to many details but will ask around and try to find out.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: It was probaly around 10 in the morning and nice out since we were mushroom hunting at the time.

ENVIRONMENT: A treeline with a creek/ditch in the middle near the river with fields all around.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

He stated that the prints were about thirteen inches long and five inches wide. He did not measure the stride but remembered that it was quite large.

The witness is attempting to find out other witnesses to actual sightings in the area and those will be reported on as well.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net