YEAR: 2003

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: 08/12/2003

STATE: Georgia

COUNTY: Atkinson County

LOCATION DETAILS: Turn left on hwy 441/221 at the hwy 82 intersection(center of Pearson), go south for 1/4 mile, and turn left on Cogdell hwy, for approximatly 2 miles.

NEAREST TOWN: Pearson Ga.

NEAREST ROAD: On Cogdell Hwy, about 1 mile from hwy 82

OBSERVED: I was playing paint ball with my son, and some kids he was freinds with, about summertime 2003. I had taken the youngest child(about 6) with me, and the other kids(mostly late teens) were looking for us. We were hiding in an overgrown ditch near our home, in a fairly populus, rural area. We both heard a strange groaning noise coming from the direction of some nearby appartments. The little boy I was with, was quite afraid, and wanted to go inside. I scared him so bad, he was crying. We went inside, and I told my wife, the boys mother, and the other kids about the sound. We all went into the yard, and heard the groans. I just listened to the Mississippi groans, and that was what i heard. I also checked to see if there was anymore sightings in my area, and I am about 25 miles from the Lanier county Georgia sighting.

OTHER WITNESSES: My son, wife, wifes friend, and 3 of my sons friends.

OTHER STORIES: I have seen a black panther near here. I know that doesn't sound related, but alot of people say they do not exist in South Georgia, lol.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Early evening, almost dusk.

ENVIRONMENT: Populated rural

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Morris Collins:

This area is within 25 miles of the sighting in Lanier County (Report 15329). The area in general is rural with populated areas surrounded by pine forests and swamp with numerous creeks and lakes. There is a large population of deer and wild hog in this area.

The area the witness heard the howl was about 150 yards away from his house. The area is wooded with a canal close by. There are sinkholes scattered throughout this area.

He reported that a friend had seen a large bipedal creature crossing the road near this area in 1998. There are also numerous reports of large, long tailed black cats from this area of south Georgia.

About BFRO Investigator Morris Collins:

Morris holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Auburn University and additional coursework toward an MBA in International Business. He is an avid backpacker and SCUBA diver. Morris attended Georgia 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2011; North Carolina 2006 and SC 2007 expeditions. He is a member of the SE BFRO Tracking Team and has completed a first course in visual tracking.