Geographical Index > United States > Illinois > Bond County > Report # 31419
(Class B)
Submitted by witness on Thursday, December 29, 2011.
Possible nighttime sighting and vocalizations in a backyard near Old Ripley
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YEAR: 2011
SEASON: Winter MONTH: December DATE: 8 STATE: Illinois COUNTY: Bond County LOCATION DETAILS: Outside Greenville near Old Ripley NEAREST TOWN: Greenville NEAREST ROAD: Prairie OBSERVED: I was in bed and heard my dogs barking outside. I went out in time to see the dog run under the porch and something duck into the woods.
I first thought it to be a large man in a coat but upon shouting and throwing a small stone into the trees discovered otherwise.
Responding to my shout it shrieked/howled and tossed the stone back at me. It landed at my feet and then silence took hold in the trees again. I ran inside in a panic and finding a flashlight headed out to search for the intruder. I found only torn twisted horseweed and snapped branches about five and a half feet up.
I have not seen it since but it stood easily six feet stooped, smelled like a rotting carcass even in the winter and walked on two then four legs. I have however seen trails in the woods before and after the incident that looked as if they were made by a very similar animal. ALSO NOTICED: Just the smell, and his trail. It smelled of a rotting carcass and old urine. OTHER WITNESSES: Just myself. TIME AND CONDITIONS: Late night, cold, clear, still. Porch light that illuminated 65% of the yard had a clear field of vision. ENVIRONMENT: Wooded area with a slope leading into a large ravine, with creeks and fields on three sides.
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:
I spoke with the witness by phone.
In summary:
- The animal was about six feet tall hunched over.
- The animal weighed about 250 to 300 lbs.
- Hair coloring was between dirty gray and brown.
- The witness was unable to see the face at all, only seeing the back of the head.
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 [email protected]
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