YEAR: 2016

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: November

DATE: 20

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Madison County

LOCATION DETAILS: The road winds and has small hills. Passes through a lot of hilly areas. If you're on I-64 heading west, get off at 19 B exit and keep heading straight.

NEAREST TOWN: Troy

NEAREST ROAD: Scott-Troy Road

OBSERVED: I was driving along Scott-Troy Road after work one night. It was around 8:15 pm when I was driving through some wooded parts of Scott-Troy. I saw something large, black and hairy take two-three giant bounds across the road before it disappeared on the other side. I slowed for a bit, trying to see what it was, but it was too dark to see what it was or where had it gone.

ALSO NOTICED: It was very large. Stood maybe at least 8 ft. Fast enough to take a two lane road in three bounds.

OTHER WITNESSES: No.

OTHER STORIES: I've read other reports about people spotting something near I-55 and along Route 4.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: The weather was still mild in November. Clear night, little to no moonlight.

ENVIRONMENT: Wooded area; thick in some areas

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

• The witness estimated the animal's height at 7 to 8 feet tall.
• The animal was covered in medium length black hair.
• The animal was of muscular build and weighed about 300 lbs.
• The upright animal took several large steps to cross the highway and was quickly out of sight.

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