A listener writes “Here’s my experience; at the time I lived in fairly remote countryside with dense forest south of Charlottesville VA, I’m 45 and work in (removed) and I grew up in rural mountainous parts of VA, I’m comfortable in the woods and camp a fair amount.
On the way to town, in a field, I saw what looked like a red’ish brown bear, with really matted and gnarly looking fur, on 4 legs and looked like it was searching along a fence line for something. It didn’t look exactly like a bear. We are in black bear territory and I’ve had them in my shed and yard, and around enough to be up close and familiar with bears, one time almost too close. Anyway, It was about 30 yards away, I pulled off to the side of the road to see it, I didn’t get out of the jeep.
It’s not walking like you would expect a bear to walk, but was on all fours. As I pulled off the road it looked up at me and had a face like a collie. So I’m now thinking, “I’ve never seen a collie that’s the size of a VW Bug, that’s freaking weird “. I seriously was thinking it was some kind of mastiff/ collie mix…that almost verbatim what I told myself. Then it started to watch me….really creepy and it had this harsh stare and was kind of looking around to check me out like I starteled it, but it didn’t really seem too concerned. It had bushy hair around its neck that framed its face.
Now I’m getting weirded out that this thing is watching me and not moving anymore. This is where its gets fuzzy in my memory because I still have a hard time believing this, I could swear that it stood up and did this bark/scream/growl and I kinda felt the bark; then stepped/hopped over the barbed wire fence and did two or three big steps and covered a huge distance in that field, then dropped into a run on all 4’s and bounded into the forest. It moved bizarrely fast. All of this I’m telling you took place in maybe 20 seconds after I stopped the car.
That’s been about 6 years ago. I’m interested in what that was and are there similar sightings in this area. I listened to your episode 100 (i think that’s the right number) about a guy that called something similar in with a coyote call and watched it through his scope and that sounded about like what I saw. I’m a believer this type of stuff, but never thought I’d see something. I grew up camping in some remote areas of the Jefferson National Forrest and as a kid believed but I thought bigfoot was a California thing. I only recently heard of the dogman phenomena.
I’m reaching out to also get advise on what to do if I ran into that while camping. I usually carry .45 or .44 mag, but I don’t know what you could do if something like that actually moved in on you. I have kids that like to go and now Im second guessing where to camp with kids. I’ve camped enough to know the odds of something like this are slim, but after seeing this I’m wondering what kind of sightings are there in the Appalachian mountain chain and what aren’t we being warned about by the rangers and police. I did talk with animal control and they said it was a bear or big dog and ended the conversation.
I appreciate the time and any advice. I’ve been getting up the nerve to reach out and try to learn more. When you have seen something yourself it makes all of the stories solidify and I kind of have a new reality to think about.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.”
Trent M
The more encounters like yours that I hear the more I believe it’s not a matter of caliber needed to take them down but a matter of being able to hit them as fast and agile as they are. Thanks for coming forward and adding to the knowledge base.
Patrick N
Dogman. Shapeshifter.
Michael L
Yes, it is about holding your nerve while you aim between the eyes as it comes for you…referencing the episode- which is one of my favorites is- “Last Man Standing”, and it is all about having a semi-auto weapon with large capacity magazines ready to reload because I don’t think that they are alone most of the time…Doesn’t wimpy California have an Assault weapons ban with restriction of large magazines as well? I hope those Legislature’rs are out camping some time and have an encounter….
Michael1lion
Jack33
None of us will be allowed to own firearms when they’re through…thats their plan.
Problem, reaction, solution.
The intelligence agencies with the full cooperation of the Justice Dept, and the Mainstream Media corporations recruit individuals within local city governments and municipal police departments to participate (for large sums in federal grant monies) in fabricating mass casulty shooting events.
These ficticious shootings are then reported on and presented to the naive, unsuspecting public as actual, real-life events by the Mainstream Media (which they own and control).
Once there gullible public has finally had enough, the gov. will convienently swoop in with the solution – and that solution will ne gun control.
They did it in Great Britton, now its our turn.
Jack33
Excuse the typos.
Big hands, tiny keyboard?
Martin Z
I agree with you 100%.
Tammi C
Yup, exactly
Martin Z
I believe these cryptids have a very thick skull and in my opinion it should be shot in the eyes and or neck. The body just soakes up any rounds with all that muscle stopping the bullet from penitrating any further.
Oscar P
Ive also had a similar encounter, but totally different location ( Yucca Valley, Cal.)
And over 25 years ago.
But i totally believe it. And until you see it for yourself, you would think you’re crazy too.
Wes and I spoke about this creature a couple of day ago and ive come too the conclusion of demonic entity.
And just like Wes said, do the world a favor and take it out when you have the chance.
Thank you for sharing your story. It means alot.
David B
Oscar P . Just wanted to give you a shout out I was born and raised in 29 palms and a family member of mine saw something big cross highway 62 at Indian Cove in Joshua tree . That was around 1970 ish
michael r
i thank god that out here on the olympic penninsula of washington that we do not have these creatures here. It genuinely shakes one up when you see, hear, or sense something you have’nt a “BOX” for in your mind..
brad b
Trent M you’re totally right. I’m very comfortable with lots of firearms but I have serious doubt no matter how I’m armed that I could get a life-saving shot off on one of these creatures given the kind of instant, overwhelming fear everyone says they fear in their presence combined with the superhuman, practically supernatural, speed and agility witnesses almost always attribute to them as well. This is especially true trying to land multiple rounds with a semi-auto. Hopefully I could calmly squeeze the trigger but jerking it wildly if you’re terrified and sending lead everywhere except where you want it is very possible. The more I hear the less I want to encounter one of these cryptids face to face.
Robert F
If I were to have something, it would be the most powerful green laser strobe combo rigged up. And weapon of choice, and 3 or more people along.
Dave T
Great encounter. A bear? Here we go again. Sighting in the open, broad daylight, and only 30 yards away. No, you saw exactly what you said you did. Sounds more of the Dogman variety. I wouldn’t be afraid to camp but just be cautious and use your head about where you do it. I’d consider taking a firearm for protection. It’s more for a deterrent than anything because these creatures know what guns are and want to avoid them most of the time. No gun of any size caliber or chamber capacity would save you if one of these creatures actually hunted you. If it came at you at less than 20 yds you’d never even get the safety off to fire a shot. I think most of the time, they give lots of warnings wanting you to leave which is a good thing. I’d rather be intimidated than hunted.