North American Wood Ape Conservancy

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Class 3a

Hiker has daytime encounter in Sam Houston National Forest.

Report#

01050011

Occurred April 2002

(Submitted February 22, 2005)

Witness Observation

Me and my family had moved to the Montgomery county area in October of 2001. In December I had noticed a old logging road leading into the Sam Houston National Forest from the sub-division which was still under development at the time. I haven't hiked since I was a teenager so I decided to see where this road went when weather permitted. In April 2002 I had taken some vacation time from work and one afternoon after mowing I thought I would go for a walk a routine I continued for several days going further down the road and deeper into the woods with each trek. I had seen evidence of deer, hog, squirrel and even bear in the area. On the sixth day I walked by an area that had springs on both sides of the trail which alternated sides every so often. I noticed on this trip there was no animal sounds or activity and I felt watched. So I stopped and surveyed my surroundings and to the east of me about 25 yards in the thick underbrush something quite robust in size and dark in color seemed to be crouched between a couple of trees looking in my direction. I thought it was a large hog or maybe a bear so I turned south heading toward home and this creature moved along with me keeping a distance of approximately 15-30 yards between us at all times. We continued this kind of cat and mouse routine for about 20-25 minutes. I stopped to relieve myself. Then suddenly I don't know what possessed me to turn into the woods toward this creature. It stopped and crouched very low to the ground and remained perfectly still. I had gotten into about 10 yards. The hair on my neck stood up when I heard movement of something large moving in woods from across the trail behind me. I moved quickly back onto the trail and it seemed I wasn't being followed so I slowed my pace, by this time I was about 100-125 yards from the point I had urinated I turned and saw this dark figure walk upright out of the east woods and stop at my puddle area it squatted for a few second then stood up and looked directly at me for a few more seconds. It head turned abruptly toward the west woods and much larger dark being came slightly into view they both watched me as I back peddled watching them for another dozen or so yards when I decide home was the best place to be and ran off.

Sounds

I heard a low guttural growl coming from the creature's area.

Additional Observations

I could see it was very dark in color and almost lying in a prone position much like a sniper lining up a shot. It had human like legs only very hairy. I could make out thick arms and shoulders also covered with thick hair probably no more 1-2" in length. It was down almost as if it was trying to hide its face. I would estimate it to be no more than 6 ft tall. Over the next three years of living in that area I would often feel being watched when I was outdoors. Loud crashing sounds from the woods. Times of no animal activity at all. My dogs growling fearfully towards the woods. Occasional chattering and screams. Sticks and debris coming from the woods and even eye shine one evening about 8 foot from the ground. Neighbor at the time said she heard grunts and groans some nights and her dog would shake. Foul odors. I got wind of a strange odor I can't describe.

Time and Conditions

2-4 pm - Clear, sunny, warm.