YEAR: 2020

SEASON: Spring

MONTH: April

DATE: 12

STATE: Ohio

COUNTY: Warren County

LOCATION DETAILS: just east of the bike trail, which was the rail line, which was the trail used by the Shawnee heading to Yellow Springs (which was their main camp, I think the home of Tecumseh). Anyhow, the trail the same.

NEAREST TOWN: Oregonia, nearing the Ft. Ancient area

NEAREST ROAD: just pass (south) I-71

OBSERVED: I was on the Little Miami Bike Trail heading back to Morrow from Oregonia...mile marker 23.5. It was Sunday, April 12, around 5:00 in the afternoon. Since the Covid restrictions were enacted a week or two prior, the trail had became so crowded every day of the week. However a cold front came in and it was a cool, cloudy day and very few people on the trail...maybe 15 to 20 riders encountered from Oregonia to Kings Mill...well, maybe more, but not bad.

I'm retired and ride this route nearly day, weather permitting. So, after passing under the former Jeremiah Morrow Bridge (I-71 over Little Miami river) there's a long gentle arc in the trail. I haven't seen a soul since I turned around at Wilmington Rd. I'm cruising, it's nice and quiet, when suddenly I heard a loud knock...so distinct I instantly said in my head...that was a knock! It came from atop the hill to the east. I pondered all the conditions, i.e; kids playing..not!, cold, remote, and they don't play in woods anymore,..adult messing...maybe, but how would they know I was there?... natural, very doubtful, I'm nearly 68 and never heard anything so crisp, clearly, like a Louisville slugger full speed against a barkless solid ash tree (I imagined). There...that's what happened.

I look online to see if any Bigfoot sightings had been reported in this area and found none. I stored the incident away until last weekend when I was talking to my son. He's 46 in May, I raised him near Morrow (abutting the former Frisch's Farm on the 3-C highway). Our school district includes the Maineville area. One of his good friends lived on a hillside, at a 90 degree curve on Sibcy Rd. His friend, Chris Flick's older brother told Nick, 20 years ago, he and his dad both saw a Bigfoot walking through the woods on the opposing (their house) hillside...two different times. Nick said he never related this until he told me...because of my knock story. He said he'll never forget it...and because of his story, I tell you my story...There! Thanks for reading, and hopefully you consider. Dan

ALSO NOTICED: nope... but the sound was so distinct...say like the first strum of "Take it Easy", or the cock of a 12 gauge pump shotgun!

OTHER WITNESSES: nope...just me and a couple pileateds.

OTHER STORIES: no.. just the one my son related, as explained in my story

TIME AND CONDITIONS: early evening 5 to 6

ENVIRONMENT: heavily wooded, but early spring...ergo no leaves.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:

The area he describes is on the opposite side of the bike trail from Mathers Mill Nature Preserve, which has a sizeable marsh.

About BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:

Matthew Moneymaker is originally from the Los Feliz District of Los Angeles, California.

- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

- Juris Doctorate (Law degree) from University of Akron School of Law

- Founder of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization,1995.

- Writer and co-producer of the Discovery Channel documentary "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science", 2001.

- Co-producer of the TV Series "Mysterious Encounters" for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN Channel), 2002.

- Producer of the "2003 International Bigfoot Symposium" (Willow Creek Symposium) DVD set, 2004.

- Co-host of "Finding Bigfoot" on Animal Planet Channel, 2010 - 2017.

- Current Director of the BFRO

- Available for private bigfoot expeditions and conferences. To inquire please email ContactUS@BFRO.net