YEAR: 2003

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: October

DATE: 28

STATE: California

COUNTY: Trinity County

LOCATION DETAILS: From Red Bluff, take hwy 36 west to Bramlet Rd, turn south 12 miles on dirt road. sighting area was to the west of the road on smoky creek, appx 1-2 mile downstream from the road.

NEAREST TOWN: Red Bluff

NEAREST ROAD: hwy 36

OBSERVED: While hiking in the thick forest of the southern
Trinity National Forest, I noticed three piles of scat that are identical to the picture in the Humbolt County BFRO trip article that is labeled "Scat from unknown animal". All three scat piles are found within a 1/2 mile area, though all three were old (probably more than a month).

ALSO NOTICED: on the first night out (Oct 27) we heard 2 faint howls echo through the forest-sounded as though it came from far to the east. Did not sound like a wolf or dog, nor did it sound like a bird.

OTHER WITNESSES: 2 witnesses, myself and my cousin Jay. We both assumed the scat was from a large bear.

OTHER STORIES: I'm a regular visitor to the BFRO website, so I have read about other instances occurring in the area.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: morning and early afternoon.

ENVIRONMENT: Thick pine forest with some diciduous trees (possibly Oak), thick underbrush in places (esp. Manzanita) with Smoky creek running though a steep-sided gully. Area is ruggedly mountainous, very steep with many game trails.

Follow-up investigation report:

After a telephone interview with this witness, the following details can be added to his report:

- The witness reports the scat was dry and appeared to be composed primarily of what was believed to be vegetation matter.

- He reports the scat was approximately three inches in diameter and was deposited in large piles.

- He also reports while they initially thought the scat was from a bear, they are both now convinced the scat is nearly identical to the photos they viewed on this website.

- The witness also reports after hearing the howls heard on the first night, they heard no further unusual screams or howls for the remainder of the trip.

- The witness subsequently reported the vocalizations he heard that night closely resemble the recording on the BFRO website named “The Ohio Howl.”

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