YEAR: 1980

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: 12

STATE: Michigan

COUNTY: Roscommon County

LOCATION DETAILS: Swamp between 2 hills

NEAREST TOWN: Roscommon

NEAREST ROAD: County Rd 104.

OBSERVED: A friend and myself were coming home from a party, about 10:30 at night. We were in his Chevy van. Something ran out in front of us. He slammed on his brakes and this large animal on 2 legs bent at the waist looked right at us, 3 to 4ft. away. I was close enough to see the pupil and its eyes were bloodshot. Small head not a bear. Long brown matted hair with a blond tint here and there. As it went by watching us, I felt it was scared. I continued to watch and it was bent at the waist and it hip was level with my vision in van. This all happened very quick, 4 to 5 steps and it cleared the road.

Another car was comming at us and went into the ditch. We drove on about 2 min. and I said to my friend, Did you see something back there and he stoped the van and said I didn't want to say anything, I asked him tell me what you seen and I was not crazy either. We have both told the story here and there but have never told you or police, No one would believe us. You do not have to believe us either but it is the truth.

OTHER WITNESSES: 2 of us, he was driving and I was a passenger, so I ended up with my face close to the wind shield when he locked up the breakes.

OTHER STORIES: Nothing:I never went back. I wouldn't want to run into this in the woods. Outcome would have only one end

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 10:30 at night Lighting was good our van and on comming car.

ENVIRONMENT: Thick swamp on both sides of road.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

The witness stated that the animal was between seven and eight feet tall as it walked away. He was very impressed by the size when it was directly in front of their vehicle.

He stated that the face was human looking and he could see the whites of the eyes. As they looked into each others eyes he felt that the animal was as frightened as he was.

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