sasquatch chronicles blog

Tonight we’ll be speaking with Dave from Maine. Dave has been a registered Maine Guide for many years and knows the woods well. He and his wife had a strange encounter that he still can’t fully explain. He told me it was the first time in his life he heard something in the wilderness that he couldn’t identify.

In October 2025, he caught sight of what he thought was a figure, but it was hard to make out any details, it appeared as a solid black shape. At one point, a deer was thrown at his truck, and when he stopped to assess what had happened, the situation became even more unsettling. Strangely enough I have heard a few encounters like this over the last couple of years. I had previously not heard this behavior. Not sure why there has been an uptick.

We’ll also be speaking with Bud, who emailed me to share three strange events from his life. The first took place in Tennessee, where he witnessed an unusual craft. He said it wasn’t until he saw the recently released “tic tac” footage that he finally had a way to make sense of what he’d seen. A few years later, while attending summer camp, something entered the cabin and approached his bunk. He told me that experience has stayed with him and bothered him most of his life.

From The Shadows writes “A Santeria Priestess predicted a Florida woman’s death long before the woman had a near death experience. Marissa joins us to share a harrowing time she had as a younger woman when she was in the presence of a Santeria Priestess who warned her about her death.

Marissa also shares with us a possible Bigfoot or Skunk Ape sighting in her neighborhood near a campus of the IMG Academy in Florida.”

A 2023 study detected small traces of substances like cocaine, caffeine, and some pharmaceuticals in shark tissue. The study which involved taking samples of blood from 85 sharks near Eleuthera Island, the Bahamas is polluted with a disconcerting cocktail of pharmaceuticals.

The results revealed that most of the animals showed traces of caffeine and over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, while some even had traces of illegal drugs such as cocaine.

Where it comes from the contamination is believed to come from:

Wastewater runoff (human urine, improperly treated sewage)
Discarded or dumped drugs
Pharmaceutical residues entering the ocean

This kind of pollution has been found in many marine animals, not just sharks. The amounts detected were extremely low measured in parts per billion or trillion.

According to scientist, there’s no solid evidence that these levels:

Affect shark behavior
Make them more aggressive
Turn them into anything like the viral “cocaine sharks” idea

The study highlights how our own activities might come back to haunt us later down the line.

Native Oklahoman Steve Britt shares his Sasquatch Experiences that range from Washington State, to Florida to South Eastern Oklahoma, where he discovered a Sasquatch that was just as interested in him as he was in it.

Check out Sybilla Irwin’s channel, Sketching Encounters Here

Deep within the rugged wilderness of South Africa, where mountains stretch into mist and forests remain largely untouched, stories persist of a strange, elusive creature. Known as the Otang, this mysterious being is often described as South Africa’s answer to Bigfoot.

But what exactly is the Otang?

The Legend of the Otang

The Otang is typically described as a large, ape-like creature that walks upright like a human. Witnesses claim it is covered in thick, dark or reddish brown hair and possesses a powerful, almost human presence. Some accounts even describe it as moving silently through the bush, vanishing before it can be closely observed.

The name “Otang” is thought to be derived from “orangutan,” though this raises an immediate mystery, orangutans are native to Southeast Asia, not Africa. This disconnect only adds to the intrigue.

Where Is It Said to Live?

Sightings of the Otang are most commonly reported in remote and mountainous regions such as the Drakensberg Mountains and parts of the Eastern Cape. These areas are characterized by dense vegetation, deep valleys, and limited human presence, ideal conditions for legends to thrive.

In places where visibility is low and wildlife is abundant, it’s easy to see how unusual encounters might be interpreted as something extraordinary.

Eyewitness Accounts: Fact or Folklore?

Stories about the Otang vary, but they share common elements:

• A towering, human-like figure
• Covered in hair
• Moving on two legs
• Seen briefly, often at a distance

Possible Explanations

There are several theories that attempt to explain the Otang phenomenon:

1. Misidentified Wildlife
South Africa is home to animals like baboons, which can sometimes stand upright and appear surprisingly human-like from afar.

2. Folklore and Cultural Storytelling
The Otang may be part of a broader tradition of storytelling, used to explain the unknown or to pass down cultural lessons.

3. Hoaxes and Exaggeration
As with many cryptids, some sightings may be fabricated or embellished over time.

4. An Unknown Species?
While highly unlikely, some speculate that the Otang could represent an undiscovered primate. However, no scientific evidence supports this claim.

Spoke to the witness and he has agreed to come on. A listener writes “Hey Wes, I’m writing from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I’ve been a regular listener for several years.

When I was 14, back in July or August of 1994, I took my small scooter down a rough dirt road used by the local power commission to access power lines. About half a kilometer in, the terrain got too difficult to keep going, steep dips and uneven ground, so I shut the bike off to take a break. It was a warm, sunny day around midday.

Out of nowhere, everything went completely silent. The best way I can describe it is like someone put ear protection over me. I had never experienced anything like that before.

As I looked back down the path I had just come from, I saw something I’ll never forget. About 500 feet away was a creature that looked somewhat like an African lion, but… not right. Its eyes were solid black, and it had a full mane around its head. I couldn’t see its hindquarters clearly because they were partially obscured by trees and brush. It was on all fours. The closest comparison I can make is that it resembled what some people describe as a Dogman.”

At that point in my life, I was a paperboy with excellent eyesight, and I saw all kinds of dogs on my route regularly. This was not a dog. I was absolutely terrified. There was something about it that felt wrong, almost like it didn’t belong in this world. I can still remember its mane moving slightly in the breeze and the intense, predatory stare it had locked on me.

After about 10–12 seconds of just staring at each other, I tried revving my little 70cc bike, hoping to scare it off. It didn’t react at all.

After another several seconds, it slowly backed into the woods without ever breaking eye contact. That’s when it hit me, I had to go back the same way I came. There was no other way out. I was genuinely afraid it might circle around or ambush me if I stayed any longer, so I made the decision to go. I sped past the spot as fast as that little bike would take me, pretty much expecting it to come crashing out of the woods at any moment.

About seven years later, I told a friend who lived in that area about what I saw. He told me his father had reported seeing something very similar around that same time.

For context, I later spent 10 years working as a police officer and have seen a number of unusual things during that time, some of which might be worth sharing as well.

One other detail that’s always stuck with me: around that same period in my life, I had also experimented with a Ouija board, and that led to an experience that still bothers me to this day. I’m 45 now, and it’s something I’ve never fully shaken.

If this is something you’d be interested in, I’d be happy to talk more.

Best regards,”

The Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival writes “TOWNSEND, Tenn. (March 18, 2026) – Get ready to party in the Smokies the first weekend of May – it’s going to be a beautiful birthday bash for the 6th annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The family and pet-friendly festival is happening at the Greater Smokies Event Grounds adjacent to the Blount Partnership Townsend Visitor’s Center, 7930 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.

New this year – spectators will get to watch trained athletes, and Bigfoot, compete head-to-head in dramatic feats of strength.

“This year, we’re throwing a birthday party Bigfoot would be proud of,” festival organizer Brian Johnston said. “Along with our beloved festival staples – guest speakers, live music, food trucks, vendors, and contests – guests can expect party hats, sweet treats, games and a few surprises…including a possible appearance from the birthday legend himself.”

Highlights Include:

Bigfoot-themed birthday games & giveaways

A Bigfoot-sized birthday card for fans to sign

Special edition merchandise to mark the occasion

Photo ops with Party Sasquatch

A sweet celebration moment — complete with cupcakes, candles, and confetti

Back by popular demand:

SlashSquatch

Bigfoot Battle Royale Wrestling

Wood Carving & Auction

Live Music

Special Event Add-on: Dinner + Special Guest Meet & Greet – Very Important Believer Experience

This ticket includes admission to the VIB (Very Important Believer) Meet & Greet (hosted at Bigfoot in the Smokies) on Friday, May 1st, 2025. Your VIB ticket includes dinner and beverages with our festival VIPs, an exclusive VIB shirt, and hopefully the time of your life!

As part of the festivities, runners and walkers can hit the pavement for the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, both starting at Peaceful Side Social in Townsend. The 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 8:50 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9 a.m., offering a scenic course set against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. The races combine outdoor adventure with playful Bigfoot lore, complete with themed swag, on-course support and the possibility of a legendary “Squatch sighting.”

A listener writes “Hi, Wes. I’ve been listening to the podcast for a few years now. In one of the episodes I think I heard you state that you had access to, or did yourself, enhancements of video. I have some video of some sort of lights I filmed a few nights ago that I’m curious about. These lights are not in the sky, even so they are something I’ve never seen before.

I’ve been to the site they appear to come from, it’s a home no one lives in. I see nothing that would generate light. I’ll attach a video. Could you let me know what you think these might be? There was no sound. I never saw them before nor since. I’m in southwestern Virginia. A year or so ago I sent another video of what I think may have been an orb?”

Modern Explorer writes “Dave from Durango, Colorado shares several chilling Sasquatch encounters he’s had over the years — real Bigfoot stories that left him convinced these creatures exist in the San Juan Mountains.

Dave describes a terrifying moment when a massive Sasquatch stood watching him from the treeline before sprinting away at incredible speed — a classic close-range sighting that still gives him chills. But that’s just the start. He recounts other hair-raising experiences, including a night camping when something enormous lifted his truck off the ground and gently set it back down, as if testing or warning him. He’s also heard heavy footsteps and loud bangs on his shop walls at night, with evidence of these forest giants running around his property after dark.

These aren’t isolated incidents — Dave has had multiple Sasquatch encounters throughout his life in the Durango area, from strange vocalizations deep in the woods to finding unusual tracks and feeling watched during hikes. His stories highlight the intelligence, strength, and elusive nature of these hominids that many locals in Southwest Colorado quietly acknowledge but rarely discuss openly.”

A listener writes “I lived in Picnic Point, just north of Edmonds near the Puget Sound, for about 11 years, from 2013 to 2024. I love being outdoors and gardening, and I spent time outside almost every day.

Sometime in the spring or summer of 2023, I was in my backyard, which sits at the top of a very dense ravine. Out of nowhere, I suddenly felt something land on my right shoulder. I reached up, picked it off, and saw that it was a small rock about the size of a marble. I was so surprised that I just stood there staring at it in my hand. I looked around, but my neighbors behind me and to the side weren’t home. I couldn’t figure out where it could have come from. I wondered if a bird might have dropped it, or if it somehow fell from the roof but neither explanation really made sense. It’s just one of those little mysteries I’ve never been able to explain.

Then, in September 2024, I had another strange experience. I was standing on my back deck watering plants when I started hearing sticks snapping down in the ravine below, like something was walking through the brush. I stopped and watched. From my deck, it’s about 75 feet to the edge of the trees and bushes. Suddenly, a patch of bushes at the edge started shaking violently. I stared, trying to see what was causing it, but I couldn’t make out anything, just the movement.

At that point, my son’s dog, an American Bully XL, came over and started barking nonstop. I felt torn between keeping her there for protection or bringing her inside to quiet her down, but I didn’t do either I just stood there watching. After about 15 seconds, the shaking stopped completely. Everything went silent. I didn’t hear anything moving away, no footsteps, just quiet. I stayed there for a while longer, waiting, but nothing else happened.

There’s one more thing I’ve experienced out there. On at least two quiet summer afternoons no wind at all, I heard large trees fall in the ravine. It’s a pretty unsettling sound when everything else is still. The first time, around 2018, I just heard a sudden crash as a tree hit the ground. It was big enough that I almost jumped up and ran because I didn’t know which direction it might be falling. The second time, in 2022, I actually heard the roots snapping and breaking before the tree came down. For a split second, I thought it sounded like fireworks, until the tree hit the ground and I realized what it was. Both days were calm, sunny, and peaceful, which made it even more surprising.

There are multiple gulches in the area, and it’s known to have wildlife like coyotes and deer. One neighbor even claimed they heard a cougar once, though who really knows.

So my question is: have there been any other reports of unusual or unexplained activity in this area? I do believe in Sasquatch, but I never would have expected something like that to be anywhere near Edmonds, especially with so many people around. Still, I can’t help but wonder.

Thank you for your time.”

From The Shadows writes “A skinwalker or a shape shifter ran away from a truck driver while he was parked overnight at an Indiana Travel Plaza. Steve was awakened by his dog in time to see a strange creature just feet in front of him in the tree line. What is lurking in the shadows just outside of South Bend, Indiana?”

A listener writes “I lived in a house in Connecticut for about 30 years that had ongoing spirit activity, which seemed to intensify after my kids were born. Hearing Colton’s story (SC EP:1241 Lights Over Utah) really resonated with me.

I’ve since moved to New Jersey. I actually wrote to you once before about drones in my backyard, I’m now living near Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Back in Connecticut, I was fortunate to work with a woman who specialized in helping people deal with spirits in their homes. She had a small team and didn’t charge for her work. She also collaborated with a priest from the Archdiocese of Bridgeport, and together they helped many families dealing with similar situations.

In my home, not everyone experienced things the same way. My husband, for example, rarely saw anything, though he did hear footsteps and had one visual experience. I, on the other hand, regularly saw both shadow figures and fully formed apparitions, and my kids did as well. Even one of my clients had an experience in the house.

From what I’ve come to understand, it seems to come down to vibration or frequency, something that loosely connects to quantum physics. Colton may simply be tuned differently than his wife, making him more sensitive to these experiences. I noticed that when I was especially tired, I would see more shadow figures. Likewise, if I rested, cleared my mind, or entered a semi-meditative state, I’d often have more experiences afterward, almost like my awareness had been heightened.

I grew up Protestant, and when I feel uneasy, I still turn to reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Even now, I occasionally sense or encounter spiritual presences in different places, from restaurants in New York City to historical sites like battlefields in Germany.

The reason I’m reaching out is because I truly understand what Colton may be going through. You’re also welcome to contact me directly, I’ve had many similar experiences and may be able to offer some insight.

I’ve also wondered if people who are more sensitive to these “frequencies” are more likely to encounter things like UFOs, spirits, or even Bigfoot. That’s just my personal theory, and I could be wrong, but it’s something I’ve thought about over the years.

I really enjoy your show. I actually found it after searching for Les Stroud. As a kid growing up in northwest New Jersey in the 1970s, I once came across some unusual footprints. I discovered your show about a year ago, and while I was initially skeptical of the more paranormal aspects, like mind speak or lights associated with Bigfoot, I’ve become more open to it after hearing so many firsthand accounts.

Thanks again for everything you do.”

After a brief bulletin about recent news, Cliff Barackman, James “Bobo” Fay, and Matt Pruitt discuss plans for a future Bobo-centric exhibit at the NABC!

The trio then take a deep dive into John Green’s 1978 paper https://cryptozoologicalreferencelibrary.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/green-1980.pdf to see how it holds up in 2026.

A listener writes “First, I wanted to share something my son and I saw recently. This just happened on Saturday, March 14th. We were driving westbound through the Feather River Canyon on our way to Chico for a trading card show our first one together, and we were both really excited. I’ve done antique shows before, so I’m familiar with the whole process setting up, selling, and bartering but this was his first experience. As we drove, we were going over what to do, what to say, and just generally planning things out.

As we passed the turnoff for a small town called Twain, the road dipped downhill and then leveled out. We were going about 65 mph when we noticed something strange a dark object floating toward us on the opposite side of the road. What stood out immediately was that it wasn’t drifting randomly like something caught in the wind. It was moving with purpose, in a straight line.

After we passed it, I asked my son, “What was that?” He looked confused and hesitantly said, “A balloon…?” We started talking it through, but it didn’t add up. If it were a balloon, it should have been moving erratically, not traveling steadily about four feet off the ground. Then, after we went by, it stopped, crossed the road, and moved up the hillside until it disappeared around a bend.

I keep trying to rationalize it telling myself it must have been a balloon caught in some kind of air current but it just didn’t behave like one. The whole thing felt strange and hard to explain. If I had been alone, I probably would’ve doubted myself even more, but my son saw it too. I’ve always been open minded about unexplained things, but this really threw me off.

As for my Sasquatch encounter, it was a drive by sighting with a twist. This happened along Highway 70, heading west just past the small town of Cromberg. The road there goes up and down, with a series of bends, before continuing toward Quincy, where I live. Along one stretch, there’s a dirt frontage road that seems to run alongside the highway likely for power line access. It goes up over a hill, dips below the main road, and then climbs again.

That’s where I saw it.

At first glance, I thought it was a large stump sitting in the middle of that access road. But as I got closer, I realized it had hair. My immediate thought was that it must be a bear like most people would assume. But then it hit me: bears have fur, not long, hair like strands like what I was seeing. This was different. The hair looked too long, and the figure itself was massive. It was squatting there, and as I approached, the distance closed from about 100 yards to maybe 50 before I passed it and lost sight of it.

I turned around to go back, but by the time I returned, it was gone.”

A listener writes “I’ve been listening to your show for a while, and this past Saturday my friend and I had a strange experience on Highway 27, about an hour south of Sebring, Florida. We were driving back from the 12 Hours of Sebring race, my friend was behind the wheel, and I was in the passenger seat. Neither of us had been drinking at all that day.

At one point, my friend said, “What is that light behind us?” I immediately checked the side mirror. I don’t remember exactly what I said in response, but it was something like, “I don’t know what I’m looking at.” I’ve heard other witnesses describe similar lights, and I’ve even spoken to people who’ve seen them on their own property.

Then I looked in the rearview mirror and saw it clearly a circular ball of what I can only describe as a dull, glowing white light. It wasn’t overly bright, just a steady, muted glow. I’d estimate it was somewhere between the size of a baseball and a bowling ball. I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned around to get a better look.

This may sound strange, but it felt like the moment it realized I was watching it, it vanished.

We both talked about it afterward and completely agree on what we saw, but we can’t explain it. It definitely wasn’t a headlight, this thing appeared to be floating just above the bed of the vehicle.

For context, I’m a merchant marine officer, and my friend is a pilot, so we’re both pretty familiar with what normal lights and aircraft should look like. I know this isn’t exactly a Sasquatch encounter, but I can’t help feeling there may be some kind of connection. I figured you’re someone who would at least take the account seriously.

Have a great day, Wes.”

Tim and Amy had been invited to stay at their family’s cabin in Michigan in 2024, expecting a peaceful, relaxing getaway. But things quickly took an unsettling turn.

Tim recalled, “Nothing really happened the first day, but the rest of the stay was strange. The forest was completely silent, and at night we kept hearing these loud whoops and what I now know is the Ohio call. At the time, I had no idea what it was. It started with this eerie owl sound that didn’t resemble any owl I’d ever heard. It sounded more like a person trying to imitate one.”

As the nights went on, the disturbances escalated. “At one point, a large rock slammed into the cabin,” Tim said. “Then one morning we woke up to find all of our camping chairs thrown around, and right in the middle of the campsite was this massive pile of feces.”

We’ll also be speaking with Shane, who recently lost his wife. More than 66 years ago, she had a mysterious encounter in Oklahoma. Shane reached out and asked to come on the show to share her story, saying he wants to honor her memory by telling what happened.

Kolton writes “Hi Wes, I went back and forth for a long time about whether to send this, but after everything that’s happened over the past few years, I figured it might make an interesting listener story.

It all started outside my house with what I can only describe as plasma-like lights or “plasmoids” that seemed to morph into drones or other aircraft. I’ve captured some pretty compelling videos and have been posting them on TikTok (my handle is Rockymountainflyfishing). I also use a flight radar app to rule out normal air traffic. Since I live near the air base in Ogden, Utah, my first assumption was that it was some kind of government or experimental aircraft funded by our tax dollars. But after observing these things for a few years, I’ve started to wonder if they might be something stranger possibly even interdimensional in nature.

Over time, though, the experiences took a much eerier turn.

I began noticing dark, plasma-like shapes in my peripheral vision. At first I brushed it off as shadows, lighting, or just exhaustion (I do have a teething baby at home). But it kept happening. Eventually I started seeing brief flashes of light inside the house, sometimes followed by shadowy figures that seemed to move with intention, never fully revealing themselves.

On multiple occasions I’ve also seen orb-like lights hovering around my yard at night. These weren’t distant lights in the sky they were low and close, close enough that I could clearly tell they weren’t aircraft, stars, or drones. A few times they drifted so near the house that I had a strong sense of being watched… almost surrounded. It wasn’t outright panic, but more of a heavy awareness like something knew I was there and wanted me to know it too.

This hasn’t been a one-time event. It’s happened repeatedly over weeks and months, both inside and outside my home, and I haven’t been able to find a normal explanation that fully fits what I’ve seen.

I’m sharing this mostly in the spirit of curiosity and entertainment, but I can honestly say these experiences have changed how the house feels when everything goes quiet at night.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share more details or videos.”