YEAR: 2012

SEASON: Winter

MONTH: January

DATE: 5th

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Kendall County

LOCATION DETAILS: West of route 47 on route 71

NEAREST TOWN: Yorkville

NEAREST ROAD: Route 71

OBSERVED: I have been walking my dog through Harris Forest Preserve for about 5 weeks now. About the last 3 days we have been walking back there I noticed a foul smell and starge howling noises. I didn't think much of it at the because I've heard alot of coyotes howling in the area. I should also add my dog seemed pretty stressed out and affraid the last couple walks we were on. The last walk we went on was kind of late, from 6 till about 7 pm after dark. We heard quite a few knocks on trees that seemed pretty close by and rocks were being thrown at me and my dog. At first I thought it was some kids screwing around, until I got through the trail to the pond in back. I was paralysed with fear after what happened next. I believe it was a Bigfoot that ran out about 10 feet in front of me and stopped for about 15 seconds, it let out a very loud scream right at me then turned around and ran straight through the pond. I also noticed that behind me appeared to be another very large figure that ran the opposite direction. The first one I got a very clear view of, I was 8 to 9 feet tall with very wide shoulders about twice as wide as mine, it had dark brown hair mixed with some grey, and it smelled awful. I did not get a very good look at the other one but it did appear to be 8 to 10 feet tall. I have never really been a believer and as a matter of fact I am the kind of person more likely to make fun of a believer. That being said I am having a hard time coming up with an explanation for this. This happen in early Janurary and it was about 35 degrees out and I don't think a person playing a joke would be able to handle the water temps.


[ The small pond in Harris Forest Preserve where the witness had his encounter]

ALSO NOTICED: Tree Knocks and Howling

OTHER WITNESSES: No other witness

OTHER STORIES: There were sounds reported on BFRO website but I don't know if it was the same area.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: After dark but was still pretty bright from the moon. It was pretty warm for Janurary about 35 degrees.

ENVIRONMENT: Forest preserve, with 2 ponds. Occurrence was on trail near back pond.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

In summary:

- The animal was eight to nine feet tall.
- The animals weight was at least 600 lbs.
- The shoulders were at least twice as wide as a human's shoulders.
- The animal was dark brown with some gray mixed in.
- The witness was unable to see the animals face.
- Although the witness did not have a flashlight he was able to see somewhat because of moonlight.
- On the 5th of January the moon was waxing gibbous with illumination of the moon disk of 86 %. The moon was full on the 9th of January, a few days after the sighting.
- On this date and location the moon rose at 1:40 pm so was high in the sky.

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

• Explanation of the report classification system
• Submit a report for the sightings database
• Please send any comments or inquiries to ContactUs@BFRO.net