Sasquatch Chronicles Blog

Dec 9

SC EP:1013 Why Is There A Gorilla In Virginia?

John writes “This happened on the opening day of rifle season 1998 in the southwestern mountains of Virginia. Now to give a back drop to the property we used to hunt so you can get an idea. The parcel of land backed up to the New River, less than a mile above it.

When I say above, you could walk to the river if not for the 100 foot sheer rock cliffs, caves and caverns that fall off to the riverbank. We had built a tree stand in an oak tree about 75-100 yards down in a holler. This stand was a 2-sided stand with a roof over top. The front side of the tree where we built the ladder was about 20-25 feet off the ground, whereas the backside was probably 60-70 feet above the kill zone. It was strategically placed this way because of the kill zone. The zone I mention is what you would call a super highway for deer. 3 different points coming together in an opening with an unobstructed view and vantage point. The leaves had fallen, so that Sunday afternoon I had taken a rake and swept them off the path to the stand.

I always like to get into the stand by 530ish so if by chance I did spook a a buck it could have a chance to settle down. I got to the stand about 20 minutes late cause of forgetting my knife. I had walked this trail many times over the years so no need for a flashlight. Climbed up in full ghillie suit, got settled and waited. 20 minutes or so later, start hearing something walking my way. I could tell that it was on 4 feet, so I was expecting a deer at least. The sun had just started to come up, so I was just waiting on it to come to the bait pile that was set up about 30 yards from me. In the Laurel thicket im seeing movement and notice its too dark to be a deer. Well, I’m sitting there thinking to myself that’s got to be a bear, because deer do not make that much noise.

When this thing/creature comes into my view the first thing I think is what the hell is a gorilla doing in the mountains of Virginia. It/she (breast In full view) makes its way to the bait pile, looks around to the thicket and here comes a smaller one. When I say smaller, I mean it looked like Cha-ka off the land of the lost episodes on tv only it was black and not copper. The adult stands up on all fours, starts looking around the forest. She grunted towards the small one and it instantly climbed on her back. She is scanning the forest, I don’t know if she scented me or just knew something was off. I was sitting completely still, not sure I was even breathing.

She glanced up to the stand I was in and with a scowl on her face stared for a few seconds. She dropped back down on all fours, with the little one still on her back and let out what I can only describe as part scream part growl. 2 seconds later I hear a scream to the north from what I assume was another one, but this scream was much more intense, louder and more deeper. She turned and walked off down the trail. I sat there for at least an hour, maybe more without moving, barely breathing. After that time, I slowed lowered my rifle, which was a .270 ruger that I knew would have only pissed her off. Only way I think I could have done damage was a head shot, but the way I was shaking there’s no way I could have hit her.

Besides I was worried about the other scream/howl to the north. I backed out up the trail turning complete circles to make sure I wasn’t being flanked. Once I got to the clearing, which was probably 50 yards wide, I sprinted like never before. Climbed to the fence, got on my knees to make sure I wasn’t followed. I ran to my truck, got in and left. The bigger one, I’m guessing the mom was at least 7 feet tall and probably had to weigh at least 600-700 lbs. Those guesstimates could be wrong because at the angle I was at and the shadows. The baby as I said looked just like Cha-Ka from the tv show Land of the Lost. It was on all fours the entire time so I could get a gauge on the size. I’d say even at the same time it was at least 100-150 lbs.

When on all fours, they had a gait and body structure that resembled a hyena. The momma creature reminded me of a gorilla in the face. Sunken in eyes, protruding brow and flat nose. The face wasn’t hair covered. The body was completely covered in hair that seemed matted with mud. Hard to tell again with the shadows, but could tell it was somewhat long and unkempt.

The skin on the face, hands and soles of the feet were a greyish color. I could see the feet when she turned and walked away. I didn’t notice any ears, but did notice that when she screamed that it looked like she had canines.

I know you like to ask about what witnesses knew about the subject, so I’ll tell you. I thought ppl were crazy when talking about it. I laughed at a buddy once when he said he had seen one. I’ll never do that ever again. It’s been 25 years to the month and I have never spoken a word about this to anyone. I had seen the Patterson/Gimlin film and some things in the book but waved it off as delusional people.”

 

 


 

 

 

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59 Responses to “SC EP:1013 Why Is There A Gorilla In Virginia?”

  9. theresa m

    Thanks Wes and John.
    I recently listened to an interview that Steve of How to Hunt had with Dr. Melba Ketchum. These creatures bury their dead according to her experiences. She said that that nobody should attempt to find their graves. It was very eye opening.

  12. Mike S

    I always like to do a little Google image search of the sighting locations, and wow is the New River area in Virginia gorgeous! where I’d be if I was a Bigfoot 🙂

  14. Brian L

    I’ve whitewater rafted down the New River and Gauley River in West Virginia twice each. Other than probably Maine, that area is some of the most remote and unbroken section of dense forest east of the Mississippi.

  16. Josephine L

    Hola SC family this fine Saturday ❣
    Maynard, wishing you a speedy recovery ❤
    Thanks Wes & your guest(s) today…just getting ready to listen this evening from Central Cali. Stay safe out there everyone 👀

  18. HD H

    Great episode, Wes, as usual! Thank you for sharing John. It’s a tough thing to finally tell people.
    Maynard, congratulations on your recovery so far! Keep it up, man!
    Theresa, where did you hear the “How To Hunt” episode? I couldn’t find it under podcasts.

  19. James G

    So the thing that always amazes me about these situations is that they will look a totally camoed hunted right in the eyes without knowing where they are, exactly like the other situation Wes mentioned. If you beloved these beings are North American apes you may want to rethink your theory because they are far from it

  20. Perry I

    Hey Wes , great show. Thanks for coming on John, and revisiting that long ago encounter. I love that you asked John many questions about his encounter Wes, it’s something that I must say just got to the core. Each question just brought more illumination of John’s experience.

  24. Connie F

    Rene Dahinden, John Green, Grover Krantz, Peter Byrne spent decades and Byrne spent millions of dollars searching for Sasquatch. They have all passed away without bringing one in for study, and as Dahinden once said… “that should say something.”

    With such enormous “animals”, found all over the world and with a never ending stream of witnesses, at some point we have to realize that things are not adding up.

    There are now credible eye witnesses coming forward with profound new personal observations about these beings changing shape before their eyes. The best advice I’ve heard from one of these witnesses was “don’t take it for what you can see, because there is a lot going on you can’t see”.

    Time to consider the thousands of witnesses who experienced the full spectrum of these entities. Orbs, E.T, cloaking, government silencing witnesses injured by them, Native American testimonies about shape shifting abilities, Quantum physics. Anybody can experience this phenomenon with the right equipment, an active spot and the desire to learn about what happens in the light spectrum we can’t see. It’s fascinating and terrifying all in one, what have you got to lose at this point.

  25. Laurie V

    I agree with John. Living breathing animal. I don’t see the point in aliens wandering the forest. Orbs and light rods are different. Focused on electric energy. Nothing gained by running around a forest unless you live in it!! Thanx Wes!

  26. david b

    Thank you John for sharing your encounter with us. I live in the high country of western North Carolina, not too far from you. Old timers used to speak of seeing buggers. Now a days, you just get laughed at!! I am 53 and I live in the woods, but I have never seen one. I dont want to, but I do believe they exist. I think a lot of these bigfoot encounters are embellished to fit a certain narrative. My 5th great uncle Daniel Boone said he killed one, it was passed down thru family history. Wes, ol pal, been a paying member for years, I dont take your work for granted. I really appreciate all you do!! You are the best at what you do!! I am thankful that you give people a platform on which they can share their encounter. I could not imagine seeing one of things , and having to keep it bottled up inside your mind!!

  28. m99

    Welll, that was fantastic John and Wes. Thanks for sharing this encounter.

    Virginia is for lovers I think, lovers of all things beautiful. I find it fascinating how John described the way she signaled her child, and looked up at the tree stand and grunted. I bet they are aware of ghillie suits and hunting habits of humans. Plus, by John sweeping the path he may have left a faint scent, then she picked it up in the air. I believe she looked at the hunter (John) and knew exactly what he was and where he was, and that he had a gun in there. I also believe he is correct, and she wanted to move away with her child because of Johns’ presence. Which makes me wonder ~ What might have happened if that baby wasn’t with her? Great episode all around.

  31. Jay W

    Hey John, Thank you very much for sharing this story. I live in the NRV, the description of the site in your account sounds exactly like the topography of my neighborhood. Now I am wondering when my dogs are acting strange, what is bothering them.
    Take care and stay safe.

  35. Anna R

    Oh my goodness this might be a new favorite episode of mine! One of the best shows I’ve heard in a long time.
    Love when Wes said the “the most dangerous thing is a mother”. I’d agree with that statement.
    They say the most dangerous place to stand is between a mother and her baby (human or animal)!!

    Thanks Wes and John!!

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