Geographical Index > United States > Florida > Wakulla County > Report # 23570
(Class A)
Submitted by witness on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Two hikers see an upright ape running off into the brush in Apalachicola National Forest
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YEAR: 2008
SEASON: Winter MONTH: February STATE: Florida COUNTY: Wakulla County LOCATION DETAILS: I cannot remember where we had parked, but we walked almost straight northeast for about 5 or 6 miles. NEAREST TOWN: Wakulla NEAREST ROAD: Highway 98, I think. OBSERVED: Me and my friend were going out into the woods to explore the Apalachicola National Forest, we heard the sound of a stream or creek so we went to go check it out. It was a small and shallow brook layered with 5-10 lbs rocks, so we washed off, cooled down and as we were leaving the brook it was out of sight but not sound, we heard some noises of rocks moving and colliding or being tossed into other rocks. We were nervous of a wild animal. As we approached we heard like a hog running off, only we caught a glimpse of an ape like mammal charging through and away from the brook. The rocks on the bank and in the water were moved and jumbled in a very distinct way. Because of the leaves, there was no other prints except one upper left side of a left foot imprinted in the mud touching the water. We tried to preserve it, but as we returned to the cars, the mud had fried and cracked, we had no camera, sorry. OTHER WITNESSES: 2 total, me and my friend. We were taking a break as we were hiking and exploring. OTHER STORIES: Nope, I dont remember any. TIME AND CONDITIONS: About 1:30 when we returned to the cars ENVIRONMENT: Tree forest some lower shrubs, mostly burned off though, at the creek thing.
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Cathy Betz:
I spoke to the two witnesses by phone and they had these details to add:
-They were near a brook when they heard 'rocks being tossed into other rocks' and sticks breaking, so they decided to investigate to see what was making the noise. Upon coming to the brook they heard what they described as 'a hog running off' but instead witnessed an 'ape-like' mammal on two legs charging through and away from the brook and into some thick brush, which lasted only seconds.
-They described it as being 'about 7 foot tall, with bulky shoulders and huge body'. It had black, hanging, or 'fuzzy' hair and their overall impression of the creature was that it was 'strong'. They stated that it had 'big' hands but they could not see the feet and lower legs because of the thick brush, and they both commented on how surprised they were that it could get through such thick undergrowth so easily.
-They stated that when it 'charged' through the brush, it was very loud in that it broke thick limbs and small trees in its path and left an 'indescribably bad, trashy' odor behind.
-After the sighting they found a partial 'mushy' heel print near the edge of the brook that was 'big' and 'twice the width' of their heels, and they also stated that the rocks on the edge of the brook were 'disturbed and moved in a distinct way'.
-They were in the confines of the Apalachicola National Forest which is bordered by the Ocala and Osceola National forests, a combined acreage of almost 1.2 million acres of undeveloped forests, swamps, rivers, lakes and inlets.
About BFRO Investigator Cathy Betz:
Cathy has been a nurse for over 27 years and currently works in a busy ICU. An amateur naturalist, Cathy has been intrigued by the bigfoot phenomenon from an early age.
Attended the following expeditions:
- The 2006 Florida Expedition
- The 2007 North Carolina Expedition
- The 2008 South Florida Expedition
- The 2008 North Florida Expedition
- The 2009 Central Florida Expedition
- The 2009 Utah Expedition
- The 2010 TN Survey Expedition
- The 2011 East Texas Expedition
-The 2012 North FL Expedition
-The 2013 Michigan Upper Peninsula Expedition
For more information, please see the Florida BFRO
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