YEAR: 2000

SEASON: Spring

MONTH: March

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Edwards County

LOCATION DETAILS: It was near Red Hill Road on Route 15 between Albion and Fairfield.

NEAREST TOWN: Albion

NEAREST ROAD: Route 15

OBSERVED: I was coming home from work, heading from Albion towards Fairfield, which would have been about 11:30 that night. It was near Red Hill Road. I started smelling something first, I had my window down, it was a little warm. I thought what in the devil is that! And all of a sudden I saw this huge, huge figure off to the side of the road, between the ditch and the field. It was walking east towards Albion. It stopped and I just went. I don't know why it stopped. I was about 120 feet from it.

It scared the crap out of me, I said what the heck is that. It is walking upright, it wasn't no coyote or wolf, we don't have bears up there that I know of, I grew up there.

That was the one I seen on the way home from work.

ALSO NOTICED: None

OTHER WITNESSES: Just me.

OTHER STORIES: Yes.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 11:30 at night

ENVIRONMENT: Near town and open land and some woods.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

In summary:

• The animal was over seven feet tall.
• The animal was stockily built.
• Hair coloring was dark.
• The animal's weight was around 350 lbs.
• The witness was 120 feet from the animal and could see it in the headlights of the vehicle.
• The witness was unable to see the face.

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