In November of last year (2008) I decided to visit a hunting area that I often hunt in the area of Zephyrhills, Florida, near Orange Lake road. I wanted to see if there was any deer in the location, the sun was setting and it was getting dark. I drove to an area where I knew a persimmon tree was developing, I’ve seen deer at that place prior and was desiring to spot one. I stepped outside my vehicle and waited approximately 15 minutes roughly when I spotted an animal arising grabbing the persimmons and reverting back down to the ground. It was 75 yards away and initially thought it might be a bear but upon further examination determined it was something else. I then noticed that the creature was in a squatting position, not facing towards me, when it returned to the ground. Then it hit me that this was no bear.
As I observed this creature or “Bigfoot”, I recalled the turkey hunting I did last fall with a friend. I recall hearing a sound in roughly the same location that neither one of us has ever heard before. I don’t recall ever hearing such a sound and we’ve spent numerous time in the swamp and wooded areas. The sound was more like a howl and a gutteral growl but so loud it was difficult to determine where the sound came from. Needless to say upon hearing such a noise our guns remained off safety for the duration of the hunt. I couldn’t help but wonder what is this animal could it be the source of the noise that once struck fear in the hearts of men. This creature before me was very quite even as it harvested the fruit from the tree.
Florida Skunk Ape
For another 20 minutes I observed this creature, this “Bigfoot”, gathering up the persimmons, I never saw the creature eating them but it must have been eating them to be in that location so long. It was getting dark and I was thinking to myself I don’t need to be out in the dark alone so I decided to leave. When I stood up so did the creature, we stood up at exactly the same time. It stood up on two legs, I could then see that the creature was 5-6 foot tall, possibly around 200 lbs and covered in a coat of reddish tinted fur. When it stood up, I noticed it was quite large and stocky, massive in its upper body, then it simply walked off into the woods. I observed its retreat 40 yards into the thick growth until it was out of sight. It swung its long arms as it walked it had a long stride and lifted its knees proportionately higher than a man would when walking. Its legs seemed proportionally shorter than a mans in relation to its overall height. After seeing this creature I have no interest in returning to the area to hunt, or look for signs or tracks from the creature.
A few weeks later I was talking to a friend who also hunts he is considered to be an old timer or Florida Kracker. He told me that he has seen 4’-5’ foot monkeys roaming the area on 2 legs in the Green Swamp area while out hunting.
I know he was saying these things are monkeys but what he was describing sounds like the fabled “Bigfoot”. I really don’t know what to think about my encounter other than this must be the Florida Skunk Ape.
User Submitted with Edits
© 2009, Captain Ahab. All rights reserved.
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