YEAR: 2024

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: October

DATE: 11

STATE: California

COUNTY: Calaveras County

LOCATION DETAILS: [Investigator (MM) notes:

GPS for location:
38.206086, -120.379571

Address of cabin:
536 Avery Sheep Ranch Road

NEAREST TOWN: Avery, CA

NEAREST ROAD: Sheep’s Ranch Road/Hwy 4

OBSERVED: I heard a noise in the back woods of our cabin. Our friend's dog alerted at the exact same time. I had a spotlight in my hands because we were out letting the dog go to the bathroom when we heard the noises.

I rushed to the back of the property. When I reached the back fence, I was able to put the spotlight onto a light brown “animal” running away from me. More dogs in the direction this “animal” was running started barking after it was out of sight of me and my light.

I have seen many deer, and a few bears here. This was HUGE compared to them. I estimate at minimum 8ft tall. I was about 100’ away or so.

My friends are here with me. Two family members who I have texted about it are asking me about the sobriety level I’m at ... but I know what I saw. I have NEVER seen anything like this at all. I honestly believe I saw a bigfoot, and nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise!!!

OTHER WITNESSES: Nobody in my party heard anything, they were in a different part of the property (inside the cabin) as I was outside.

OTHER STORIES: Three years ago I made some Bigfoot calls roughly 1 1/2 miles away and got a wood knock response. I’ve made numerous calls before and after with no reply.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Late evening, dark, but I had a very highpower LED spotlight, and it is a clear night.

ENVIRONMENT: The area behind our cabin is forest service land, so all pine forest with slight hills.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:

This incident happened last night (10/11/2024)

I spoke with Lee at length about this incident and the local area.

Lee lives and works in Mountain View (Silicon Valley). He and his wife were at this cabin with another couple. They are still there right now, actually.

Lee first heard, and then saw, a very tall light brown figure running away from his cabin property just before 9pm. By happenstance he had a spotlight in hand because he was taking a dog outside to relieve itself.

The first flashing glimpse of something big and brown furred occurred when the figure was only 20-30 yards away. Lee lit it up only briefly then he moved as quick as he could toward where he saw it.

By the time Lee reached that spot and then landed the spotlight beam again on the fleeing creature, it was nearly 100 yards away. He got a better look the second time. It was definitely upright and very tall but could not see more detail than that. He is sure that it was not an deer or bear.

He is estimating the height being over 8 feet tall (closer to 9 feet tall) based on a particular big tree it ran beside.

BFRO investigators are very familiar with bigfoot locations in Stanislaus National Forest. Avery in definitely in the zone. Lee sees deer in the area every time he stays at the cabin.

The elevation of Avery is 3,400 feet. The boundary between oak foothills and pine forest can be seen roughly 6 miles downhill on the highway at the town of Murphys (elevation 2,200 feet).

We have suspected for years that bigfoots in this area try to remain in the high country above 5,500 feet

He is going to look around for tracks now,. Later he will join the BFRO's Facebook Group so he can answer questions that people may have ... including stupid questions like "Why didn't you take a picture??"

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 [email protected]