Class 3a Encounter Report in Addicks, TX, Case #01060016

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Class 1a
Class 1, Corroboration: Reports involving a sighting, and accompanied by another form of support.
1a A sasquatch/bigfoot specimen has been collected (alive or dead).
Class 1b
Class 1, Corroboration: Reports involving a sighting, and accompanied by another form of support.
1b A report investigation results in a sasquatch observation or the documentation of clear tracks or other forms of physical evidence by an investigator.
Class 1c
Class 1, Corroboration: Reports involving a sighting, and accompanied by another form of support.
1c An investigator determines that a visual encounter with a sasquatch/bigfoot by a very reliable observer is a distinct possibility, tangible corroborating evidence is documented, and all other sources can be reasonably ruled out.
Class 1d
Class 1, Corroboration: Reports involving a sighting, and accompanied by another form of support.
1d A visual encounter with a sasquatch/bigfoot is a distinct possibility involving two or more reliable observers, and all other sources can be reasonably ruled out.
Class 2
Class 2, Competency: Reports involving sightings by professionally trained or highly skilled observers.
2 Investigator determines that a visual encounter with a sasquatch/bigfoot is a distinct possibility, the observer is exceptionally trustworthy, professionally trained, and experienced in the outdoors and/or is accustomed to looking for and recording details (e.g., biologist, anthropologist/archaeologist, ranger, trapper/tracker/seasoned hunter, bird watcher, game warden, naturalist, law enforcement), and other explanations can be reasonably excluded.
Class 3a
Class 3, Credibility: Sightings or possible wood ape evidence reported by credible witnesses.
3a Investigator determines that a visual encounter with a sasquatch/bigfoot is a distinct possibility, the observer is credible, and all other sources can be reasonably ruled out.
Class 3b
Class 3, Credibility: Sightings or possible wood ape evidence reported by credible witnesses.
3b Unidentifiable vocalizations were reported and there is accompanying tangible evidence to possibly indicate the presence of a sasquatch/bigfoot, the observer is very reliable, and other sources can be reasonably ruled out.
Class 3c
Class 3, Credibility: Sightings or possible wood ape evidence reported by credible witnesses.
3c No visual encounter occurred, but physical evidence was found to indicate the presence of a sasquatch/bigfoot (tracks, hair, scat, etc.), the observer is very reliable, and other sources can be reasonably ruled out.


Case: 01060016

Class 3a

Morning encounter in Addicks Reservoir woodlands by endurance bicyclist.

Report Details

Occurrence date: September/2006
Location: Harris County, TX
Nearby/Vicinity: Addicks
Time / Conditions: 08:00 — Swampy. Clear night.
# of Witnesses:

Witness Account:
While riding on the paved trail at Addicks Reservoir Hike Bike Trail, I noticed on one of the pipeline cuts a large apelike creature. I always look for deer and usually see them but on this day there were no deer in the area. The next day I returned to see if I possibly had mistaken an object but there was nothing. The creature was taller than a man and was broader through the shoulders.

Sounds:
Not during this incident. At other times have heard howls and loud squeals.

Additional observations:
Foul smells.

Investigator's Observations

Investigator(s): Walter Blake and Daryl Colyer

This investigation was conducted as a result of a reported incident that allegedly occurred in the dense woodlands of the Addicks Flood Control Reservoir, near Addicks, in Harris County, Texas, September, 2006.

The Addicks Flood Control Reservoir, on the western outskirts of Houston, Texas, comprises close to 36 square miles of undeveloped and protected wetland and hardwood bottom habitat that is surrounded on all but the south side by dense residential and commercial development. To the south is the Barker Reservoir of equal size, with a belt of agricultural lands running for a mile or so to the expansive Brazos River bottom area. This is a large river system with associated hardwood and bottomland habitat comprised of many square miles of sloughs, marshes, swamps and palmetto flats. These two flood detention reservoirs are kept primarily empty and are used to slowly meter out flood waters subsequent to a storm event, thereby decreasing the hydraulic load on the fully developed drainage systems downstream.

It should be mentioned that this location, because of its proximity to the associated urban sprawl, was at first considered by us to be highly unlikely habitat and sanctuary for indigenous wildlife, much less the undocumented sasquatch; after a comprehensive physical onsite investigation, our perception changed to one of serious consideration.

Addicks Reservoir, beyond its primary function of flood control, effectively serves as a large wildlife preserve that is nestled among urban and suburban development. The watercourses that flow into the reservoir, with their dense riparian vegetation, conceivably serve as travel routes for any wildlife moving into and out of the reservoir.

The individual involved in this incident initially reported a visual encounter with an unidentified large primate-like creature in the Addicks Reservoir area west of Houston. Subsequently, upon comprehensive interview, the witness also reported that some strange vocalizations were heard just a few days prior to the sighting and seemed to originate from the same general area.

The reporting witness is a long distance bike rider who often trains on the paved hike and bike trails that meander throughout the 23,000-acre flood control project. At the time of the two incidents the witness was with his wife and nine year old son with their 14 month old toddler in a roll-behind bike cart.

The vocalizations were not only heard by the claimant, but also by his wife and young (9) son as well. During our first phone conversation the wife was heard in the background describing what she heard as "shrill screams." The witnesses described what was heard as two distinct vocalizations of consistent tone lasting 4-5 seconds each. One vocalization was distant and sounded like nothing the witness has ever heard, using the terms "large and powerful" to describe them. The other strange vocalization seemed to be in response to the first and came from a closer location. The witnesses did not feel as though the screams were directed at them but more from one animal to the other.

Approximately three days later the family reportedly again went out on the same trail during a morning ride. They had traveled the length of the path eastward and reaching the end had turned around to travel back the way they had come. On the return trip while approaching a pipeline crossing in the same general area of the before-mentioned vocalizations, the witness noted a strong musky odor. This pipeline right-of-way (ROW) bisects the reservoir running north and south through the entire system.

As the witness approached the pipeline he reportedly turned to look south down its length as was his habit "looking for deer and other wildlife," when he saw what he thought was a large, dark brown humanoid-shaped creature standing on two legs, approximately 75 yards away near a pipeline marker. The figure appeared to be perhaps seven feet in height, and much wider than a man at the shoulder area. Although the sighting only lasted a few seconds and the subject made no movement, the witness became alarmed and decided to extract his family from the area as fast as possible and continued peddling westward at a hurried rate. The wife was riding ahead of the witness and did not see the subject.

During this brief sighting no facial features were detected but the form was taller than a man with broader shoulders, obvious long arms and what appeared to be a cone shaped head.

The witness told us that he did return the following day to check and see if there was anything in the sighting area that he could have possibly mistaken for what he saw. There was nothing but empty pipeline ROW.

After physically surveying the area with the witness and his family, we indeed realized the scope and density of the woodland area. Our impression of the place was that it was much like a wildlife preserve, (much like the nearby Big Thicket National Preserve units); no hunting or camping is allowed, and there does indeed appear to be abundant wildlife. We saw numerous signs of raccoon, rabbit, squirrel, coyote, hog and a large variety of fowl.

The witness and his family also reported to us that they saw what they believe was a tawny-colored cougar at close range about a month prior to the reported sasquatch sighting; the cougar reportedly crossed the trail in front of them.

While it may be difficult to imagine that an unlisted large species exists on the North American continent at all, it is all the more difficult to even consider that such a species could exist right under the proverbial noses of the millions of people who live in and immediately around the nation's fourth largest city. After comprehensive evaluation by two NAWAC investigators and one other individual, along with surveillance of the physical aspects of the reservoir area itself, the prospect that the report represented an actual event became more of a possibility for us.

We believe he saw something. We also believe in our ability to thoroughly and comprehensively interview the witness and his family in a manner that allows us to make a proper evaluation regarding whether or not the witness is telling the truth. We believe he did tell the truth. We were reminded of reported sightings near other large cities (Ft. Worth, San Antonio, among others), and that all, to include this one, took place in areas where it seemed perhaps possible for a large transient animal to temporarily find sanctuary.

We cannot with absolute certainty rule out the possibility of a hoax (someone in a suit). However, we believe this alternative to be of such low probability as to render it highly unlikely. Such a scenario would have required the suited individual to have maneuvered in an area that is reminiscent of the Big Thicket; getting around on foot, off the trail is extremely difficult to do, and in some areas nearly impossible, especially towing a heavy, hairy costume, or even worse, wearing such a costume. Also it would have required the hypothetical hoaxer to have stood waiting in the hopes that someone would soon pass the area on the trail, and then just happen to look down the pipeline and see him standing there. Then, he would have had to hope that the person who just happened to see him would not pursue him, and not be armed. Then, upon being seen, the person in the costume would need to make a hasty retreat, with the pipeline really providing the only quick path of escape. Either he would have been forced to leave the costume there on the ground, or carry it with him; either would have been highly risky, especially in daylight hours.

Another alternative is that the witness misidentified what he saw. We entertained the notion that perhaps he simply saw something much more innocuous, such as a human in dark clothing. However, when presented with such a scenario, the witness was emphatic and adamant that what he saw was not a human. He was certain that its size, coloration and shape precluded a human as a possibility.

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