Sasquatch Sightings

Account

Four men from Colorado and two from Arkansas, aged 25 to 54, were bow hunting for elk in the region between Old Agency and Stage Coach peaks, which are part of the continental divide at more than 12,000 feet. In Gunnison National Forest south of Hwy 50 between Doyleville and Sargents. Early in the morning the 54-year-old riding an ATV came upon fresh tracks crossing a snow drift, hunanlike in shape but 18 inches long and with depth indicating great weight. As he examined the tracks five bull elk burst out of the timber in apparent panic and as they rushed past he killed one with an arrow. After gutting it he used the ATV to pull it high in a tree, hind feet 10 feet off the ground, and went for help in bringing it in. Less than three hours later the hunters found the carcase twisted in half, the head, shoulders and forelegs still in the tree, the rest gone. The same tracks were all around, as well as similar 13-inch tracks. That evening they reported the incident to a wildlife officer, who blamed bears and declined to investigate. That night about midnight loud howls and grunts from two different directions, close by, awakened the hunters. Next day the two men from Arkansas were late returning to camp. They said they had gone back and followed the tracks toward the timber line, and about 8 a.m. saw two manlike creatures moving across a snow field. They shot the smaller one with three arrows at about 100 yards. It fled at high speed up the steep slope, apparently unhindered by the arrows, and disappeared over a saddle. The larger creature roared and started for the hunters, squealing loudly. They fled and the creature followed but did not try to catch them. Instead it kept between them and their camp until they finally abandoned their equipment and reached the highway by a circuitous route. The men went to Gunnison and reported the incident to forest service personnel, who blamed bears. Two returned next day with rifles and found only one destroyed bow and backpack. Wilson writes that he talked to three of the hunters, and saw photos of the remains of the elk, and of the tracks, which were clearly not bear tracks, but typical sasquatch tracks. He paid for copies of the photos, but it is not clear if he got them. Wilson believes the story. See also 1001411.