YEAR: 2011

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: November

DATE: 25

STATE: Georgia

COUNTY: Randolph County

LOCATION DETAILS: Private Land

NEAREST TOWN: Shellman GA

NEAREST ROAD: Law Rd

OBSERVED: I was sitting in a deer stand (box 12 foot high on stilts) about 0530 AM. In Randolph county, GA on my grandfather's land. I climbed up and it was still dark out, about 30 degrees. About 30 minutes after climbing in the stand and settling down I noticed a musty, dank smell, kind of like a wild hog that's been in a wallow, but really swampy. It kept getting stronger and keep in mind I'm about 100 yards off a dirt road in the woods. I saw something about 7.5 - 8' tall step out from behind a tree, swaying back and forth looking at me from either side of the tree. I reached for my gun, and when I looked back up it was gone. I didn't see any tracks when I looked after I got out, I've never hunted that stand since Thanksgiving 2011.

ALSO NOTICED: a musty smell in the air

OTHER WITNESSES: No other witnesses

OTHER STORIES: no other incidents that I've heard of

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 0600 Am, 30 degrees, and very low light

ENVIRONMENT: Pine forest/Swamp. Near a creek bottom on a dirt road.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator David Bakara:

I spoke with the witness by phone, and he was still adamant he would not hunt that area again.

The land consists of 300 acres of pine forest, creeks and a pond. It is only accessible by a dirt road, and 12 miles from town. Very few people venture on to this property, making it a great place to hunt deer and turkey. The witness arrived well before sunrise. He climbed into the wooden structure that serves as a raised platform 12ft off the ground. With this view, he can see further into the forest (most trees are bare of leaves by this time) and keep his scent to a minimum. He passed the time by texting short messages to friends. About 30 mins. he noticed the musky odor that reminded him of a wet dog, and figured it might be a wild hog. Then he caught movement out the corner of his vision about 25 yards away, and as his eyes adjusted to the figure, it appeared to be a huge, hairy animal that was standing behind a very large tree. This animal was described as standing on two legs, covered in brown/grayish hair, and appeared to have moss hanging on it. As is stood there observing our witness, it was swaying from one side of the tree to the other and emitting short, low grunts. It was between 7 1/2 to 8 feet tall, with one leg and foot sticking out from behind the tree. The witness then reached for his gun with the scope to get a closer look, and as he took his eyes off the creature he could hear it walking through the forest. When he looked back up 2 seconds later, it was gone. He waited till noon to leave the stand to be sure it was out of the area.

He spoke with a few friends and his Grandfather, but no one else had ever seen or heard anything similar on the property.

About BFRO Investigator David Bakara:

David has three daughters and a wife that shares his interest in research, both having developed a deep respect for nature and knowledge of the outdoors and wildlife. Attended Northern Florida Expedition 2011, 2012 Washington Exp., and 2012 North Florida exp. Prior US Navy and currently works as a Leasing Agent, spending his time off in the woods as often as he can investigating Bigfoot reports.