Year: 1986
Month: November
Day of Month (number only – e.g. 16): 11/20?/1986
Time of Day: 8:30 – 9:00 pm
County: New York Hamilton
Terrain Description: Wooded area on a mountainside that overlooks the Sacandaga
Lake. There’s a pull off that offers a great view and is on a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill is a water treatment facility.
Lighting Conditions: Moonlit night. Partially cloudy. Temperature was in the 30’s or 40’s. I remember it being a little chilly out.
Nearest Town or Landmark: Northville is probably the closest town. At the bottom of this hill is some kind of utility plant. I think it’s a water treatment facility
Description of Encounter Area: Back road, with a quaint stone wall that runs along it. This area is a
pull off that overlooks the Sacandaga Lake and mountains.
Are There Food and/or Water Sources in the Area? (if so, describe): Definitely. You have
Sacandaga Lake, along with whatever game lives in the forest and mountains near there.
Occupation/Background: Cartoonist/illustrator.
Number of Witnesses: Just me
Length of Observation: About five minutes
Animal Description: None. Vocalization and activity sounds only.
Aprox. Height: N/A
Aprox. Weight: N/A
Head/Facial Description: N/A
Can Witness Provide a Sketch of Animal Seen?: No
Any Odor? If so, Description: No odor at the time.
Vocalizations Heard?: Yes! I heard what started off from a low growl to a horrendous shriek. It scared the hell out of me.
Wood Knocks Heard?: No
Recordings Made?: No
At the time this occurred my parents lived in the town of Northville. I was heading home for
Thanksgiving and was coming back a bit late due to work. I took a back road that I love because it is a beautiful drive through the country-side and is a neat road with an old fashioned stone wall that runs along it. This road is a great way to get to Lake George from Northville. Basically the path less taken. I knew there was a pull off and since I had to make a quick pit stop, I decided to do my business at this spot as long as nobody was there. I wasn’t too worried as there is hardly any traffic on this back road. I pulled my car over and stood facing down the hill taking a piss. As I was sitting there doing my business, all of the sudden I heard the most horrendous sound I’ve ever heard. It started off as a low growl and built up to an inhuman shriek. As the shriek ended, all of the sudden i heard something huge crashing through the bushes and coming up the hill at me at a pretty good speed. I didn’t wait around to see what the hell was coming up the hill. I zipped up in record speed, got in my car and drove off as fast as I could put the keys in the ignition.
I asked game wardens what could make a sound like what I heard and they told me that a Bobcat can make this sound. Whatever was coming up the hill sounded bigger and heavier than a Bobcat and from what I know of that animal, it’s not one to come at someone (unless it’s rabid). I wish I had the presence of mind to stick around and see what the heck that was, but I guess I’ll never know. I think it’s very interesting though that the recordings I’ve heard of Bigfoot vocalizations sound very much like what I’ve heard. Hard to believe one is in NYS though.
Mike Humphrey