YEAR: 2006

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: 23rd

STATE: California

COUNTY: Humboldt County

LOCATION DETAILS: [edited -- location details removed]

NEAREST TOWN: [edited -- location details removed]

NEAREST ROAD: [edited -- location details removed]

OBSERVED: Heard very unusual gutteral howling at dawn last week while camping in Humboldt State Redwoods. Howling lasted about 3 minutes. Then started up again several minutes later (but further up the stream, so not as loud) The second set of howling was follwed by baby-type screaming (small Puma maybe?)

OTHER WITNESSES: Myself, my partner and the camper next to us. Still in our tents and just waking up! All very experienced campers - never heard anything quite like it.

OTHER STORIES: Nope, never been there before.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Dawn

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator B Brewer:

When questioned about their familiarity with animal sounds, they stated that they know most of the sounds that could be expected in California.

Quote from the witness: "I did an extensive search of animals sound recordings on the Internet, and didn't find anything quite like what we heard. It was pre-dawn - just a hint of light. At first, I assumed the sound was human. My initial thought was that is was the noise of a man in terrible pain. But then, because of the rhythmic quality of the sound/call, I became convinced it was some sort of animal. The vocal tones were definitely in the range of a male with a deep voice."

Witness discussed the sound with the other camper at the location, a man in his 60's. He also could not identify the animal.
Witness says that they saw two small bears in the area the day before. Apparently there is an old apple orchard in the area, and the bears were in the apple trees eating the apples. There were also several deer visible.

About BFRO Investigator B Brewer:

Former student of Anthropolgy and Primatology as part of studies at the University of Oregon. Currently architectural designer/fabricator in CA. Active field researcher in Western states. Attended the following BFRO expeditions: California Redwoods - 2005; California Redwoods - 2006; California Sierra Nevadas - 2005: New Mexico 2005 ; Arizona Mogollon Rim - 2006 , Oregon / California Border Expedition in November 2006. Oregon 2007, Sierras 2008, 2009, Redwoods 2008, 2009, 2010, Bluff Creek 2011, 2012, Shasta 2012.