SIGHTINGS 1998
COLLIER COUNTY-Ochopee,Fl./ Dave Shealy sat every evening in his stand behind his campgrounds./ He sat every
evening for about 8 months./ He saw and photographed a Skunk Ape out in the tall sawgrass./There were supposed to
be around 20 or so photos.
COLLIER COUNTYOchopee,Fl.-Dave Shealy was interviewed for Comedy Central' The Daily Show"./ As I mentioned
before he has been ON TV and wrote about./ Mr Henry Cabbage also talked about him in the Florida Living Magazine in
his story"Myth and Monsters", he is the senior writer for the Fish and Game Commission.
evening for about 8 months./ He saw and photographed a Skunk Ape out in the tall sawgrass./There were supposed to
be around 20 or so photos.
COLLIER COUNTYOchopee,Fl.-Dave Shealy was interviewed for Comedy Central' The Daily Show"./ As I mentioned
before he has been ON TV and wrote about./ Mr Henry Cabbage also talked about him in the Florida Living Magazine in
his story"Myth and Monsters", he is the senior writer for the Fish and Game Commission.
Miami- Dade County-Near
Homestead,Florida-July 1998-/ It was a
clear hot day,also humid. Witness was
driving towards Homestead Airport on
N.E.Loveland Drive./ A creature ran across
the street in front of him./ It was tall and
had Auburn Hair all over its body./ It had
long legs and arms that were slightly
longer than a humans / Height about 63
inches,weight 250 pounds./ This happened
at 10 Pm.,no street lights for miles and
visibility with car lights perfect./ The witness
said" Never seen anything like this before
,only in pictures.' Painting of E.J.C. of
running Skunk Ape reminds me so much of
my experence."
Homestead,Florida-July 1998-/ It was a
clear hot day,also humid. Witness was
driving towards Homestead Airport on
N.E.Loveland Drive./ A creature ran across
the street in front of him./ It was tall and
had Auburn Hair all over its body./ It had
long legs and arms that were slightly
longer than a humans / Height about 63
inches,weight 250 pounds./ This happened
at 10 Pm.,no street lights for miles and
visibility with car lights perfect./ The witness
said" Never seen anything like this before
,only in pictures.' Painting of E.J.C. of
running Skunk Ape reminds me so much of
my experence."
1998-RICHMOND COUNTY, North Carolina / 8 Pm./ Heavy woods and heavy marshy area along River./ Witness said it
was almost dark, they were cat fishing and noticed an 18" 3-toed track along the water./ They followed the tracks to a
rocky cliff and that's when they heard something breathing very heavily off to their right./ By now it was too dark to see
anything but noticed that all wildlife sounds had stopped.and witness said he became very scared./ They left in a hurry
going back the next day to make casts of what they saw. It had rained and the tracks were very poor quality. They
decided to start their own investigation and currently started to do some night time howl calling and wood knocking in
the area to see what had made the Tracks, they heard one howl back a week or so ago.(2009)There are no houses
around for miles.Many wild animals such as bobcats,turkey,deer,raccoons,cranes,and some black bear.
was almost dark, they were cat fishing and noticed an 18" 3-toed track along the water./ They followed the tracks to a
rocky cliff and that's when they heard something breathing very heavily off to their right./ By now it was too dark to see
anything but noticed that all wildlife sounds had stopped.and witness said he became very scared./ They left in a hurry
going back the next day to make casts of what they saw. It had rained and the tracks were very poor quality. They
decided to start their own investigation and currently started to do some night time howl calling and wood knocking in
the area to see what had made the Tracks, they heard one howl back a week or so ago.(2009)There are no houses
around for miles.Many wild animals such as bobcats,turkey,deer,raccoons,cranes,and some black bear.
GEORGIA,Near Atlanta-1998-Witness was up early around 4Am. After getting a cup of coffee went and sat on porch./
The woods are fairly close to the house./ Heard a loud ape like sound coming from the woods./ Witness ran back into
the house for a flashlight and headed to the area of the woods the sound came from./ Heavy trees and brush./ The
sounds continued, witness stood fairly close to where the sounds were coming from as he moved closer they would
stop./ When he moved flashlight they would start back agan./Amazed at what was happening, then realized maybe he
was to close and moved. What ever it was threw nuts and small rocks./ It was fall of the year and cool./ He wrote in a
journal but never heard of other sightings in area. The witness dogs didn't bark at the sounds but did bark at him out
side
The woods are fairly close to the house./ Heard a loud ape like sound coming from the woods./ Witness ran back into
the house for a flashlight and headed to the area of the woods the sound came from./ Heavy trees and brush./ The
sounds continued, witness stood fairly close to where the sounds were coming from as he moved closer they would
stop./ When he moved flashlight they would start back agan./Amazed at what was happening, then realized maybe he
was to close and moved. What ever it was threw nuts and small rocks./ It was fall of the year and cool./ He wrote in a
journal but never heard of other sightings in area. The witness dogs didn't bark at the sounds but did bark at him out
side
COLLIER COUNTY-Oct.18th./ Walking the water line witness found 7 human like tracks that were very big./
His brother who was with him also saw them./ They heard a loud high pitch scream in the Everglades, this
happened at night./ It sounded like it was about 75 yards away./ His brother ran and jumped in their van./
When the witness was getting in there was another scream about 85 yards away coming from the other
direction.
His brother who was with him also saw them./ They heard a loud high pitch scream in the Everglades, this
happened at night./ It sounded like it was about 75 yards away./ His brother ran and jumped in their van./
When the witness was getting in there was another scream about 85 yards away coming from the other
direction.
No County listed- Witness said he saw a Skunk Ape deep in the swamp./ It had light tan and silver
mixed hair that was short around its face./ It looked like an ape./ It stood 6 feet tall and ran
upright and was very fast
mixed hair that was short around its face./ It looked like an ape./ It stood 6 feet tall and ran
upright and was very fast
ORANGE COUNTY-Osceola,Fl./ Off of Nora Road near end of 532 towards 520./ Very Swampy./ Stopping for a
bathroom break the witness said he was standing close to a fence when he saw strange tracks./ He climbed
the fence and found more so he returned to his jeep to get his camera./ He took several pictures then
followed the tracks to the woods; there he saw a dead pig that had a broken leg but couldn't tell what killed
it./ There wasn't an odor and no flies./ Probably dead a couple hours./ He did see bear tracks and cow
tracks.
bathroom break the witness said he was standing close to a fence when he saw strange tracks./ He climbed
the fence and found more so he returned to his jeep to get his camera./ He took several pictures then
followed the tracks to the woods; there he saw a dead pig that had a broken leg but couldn't tell what killed
it./ There wasn't an odor and no flies./ Probably dead a couple hours./ He did see bear tracks and cow
tracks.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY-Munson/ Black water State Forest./ About 5:30 PM/ Witness hunting was sitting on the
ground./ The witness said it was getting dark quickly, that's when he saw something that would scare any
man to death./ It came within 30 yards of him out of the thick swamp./ Its arms hung below the knees./ It
made a loud high pitch sounding scream./ Witness ran as fast as he could to his truck as it rapidly
approached him./ He said it wasn't a bear./ The next day he went back and collected evidence./ Took
pictures of tracks and also found hair in some bushes.
ground./ The witness said it was getting dark quickly, that's when he saw something that would scare any
man to death./ It came within 30 yards of him out of the thick swamp./ Its arms hung below the knees./ It
made a loud high pitch sounding scream./ Witness ran as fast as he could to his truck as it rapidly
approached him./ He said it wasn't a bear./ The next day he went back and collected evidence./ Took
pictures of tracks and also found hair in some bushes.
GULF COUNTY-Out hunting from truck with a spotlight three hunters see a Skunk Ape when the light shines on it./
Creature ran off.
Creature ran off.
VOLUSIA COUNTY-Near Edgewater,Fl./ Nov.22/ Witness was awaken at about 10 PM. by loud vocalizations, growling,
then screams./ Their dog wouldn't leave the room.(Note this sighting is a continuing through 1999 and 2000.)
then screams./ Their dog wouldn't leave the room.(Note this sighting is a continuing through 1999 and 2000.)
OSCEOLA COUNTY- Kenansville,Fl./ Two witnesses saw two Skunk Apes cross a dirt road headings towards the
swamp./ The woods very thick with lots of under brush with big oak trees./ Ground was covered with acorns./ It was a
partly cloudy, breezy day./ The biggest one was buckskin color and the smaller one was black./ They said they didn't
smell anything.
swamp./ The woods very thick with lots of under brush with big oak trees./ Ground was covered with acorns./ It was a
partly cloudy, breezy day./ The biggest one was buckskin color and the smaller one was black./ They said they didn't
smell anything.
DIXIE COUNTY-Old Town,Fl./ Traveling down Hwy. 349 the witness said he saw a 5 to 6 foot tall reddish creature
picking up road kill.NOTE-more information-On a two lane road half mile west of the Suwannee River and one mile
north of blinking light at Willow Hole Road and 349-Heavy oak Hammock. it was about 5 am Feb 9- The witness was
headed north on 348.It ran off into the woods. Witness didn't smell any kind of odor.
picking up road kill.NOTE-more information-On a two lane road half mile west of the Suwannee River and one mile
north of blinking light at Willow Hole Road and 349-Heavy oak Hammock. it was about 5 am Feb 9- The witness was
headed north on 348.It ran off into the woods. Witness didn't smell any kind of odor.
STORY BY HENRY CABBAGE in The Florida Living Magazine. Henry is the senior
writer for the Fish and Game Commission.
writer for the Fish and Game Commission.
OSCEOLA COUNTY-Creature walking weirdly and hunched over.
MARTIN COUNTY- Nov.22./ Indiantown./ Hwy76./ Working on quota for wild hogs in Dupis forest WEA. Witness and his
hunting buddy walked into area they called the Intersection,it is the junction of Forest Road and a canal. His friend was
about 150 yards North West of witness who was at the intersection. It is about 2-3 miles in to area. There were no other
cars parked where they left the trail head as no cars allowed off the grade. It was about 30 minutes to day break and
was still very dark when he arrived at his spot. He sat there about 30 minutes after first light till he could see through his
scope. Standing he scoped west up the canal then east and south. He said he moved about 50 yards north and scoped
to the north from a mound of dirt over a culvert. Seeing two small wild hogs 150 to 200 yards north of him he started to
moving in that direction. Not moving very far he saw what looked like two trails through the wet grass. Looked like two
people had crossed side by side. Seldom seeing anyone in this area and they would have had to pass by his friend to
get there. Walking down to get a better look he heard behind him,across the canal,in small cypress head,like something
splashing. Moving back over the dike to the canal he stood and watched for a couple minutes looking for movement. It
was very shadowy still in the cypress head. He raised his rifle to look through the scope that's when something made a
sound that he'd never heard before. Described it as a hrumpff. Former Marine Sgt. and Desert Shield/ Storm Veteran
said the hair stood up on the back of his neck and he was instantly alert. He went back down the dike and then dropped
down west of it and crawled back to top where he laid his rifle on his pack and waited. He spent an hour watching for
movement. It didn't leave east,west or south,couldn't say about the north side. He felt that he'd been warned not to get
any closer. Not mentioning it to his friend he did ask if he'd seen anyone pass by him. He said no. Returning to their
truck there still wasn't any other vehicles around.
The following year they noticed a large bare foot print and the year after they saw very strange eye shine. His buddy
won't talk about it. He said that in 2001 he had another encounter maybe 6 miles from this one. That time he felt
watched and knew he wasn't alone that's when he noticed there weren't any sounds being made by other wild
animals,just complete silence.
hunting buddy walked into area they called the Intersection,it is the junction of Forest Road and a canal. His friend was
about 150 yards North West of witness who was at the intersection. It is about 2-3 miles in to area. There were no other
cars parked where they left the trail head as no cars allowed off the grade. It was about 30 minutes to day break and
was still very dark when he arrived at his spot. He sat there about 30 minutes after first light till he could see through his
scope. Standing he scoped west up the canal then east and south. He said he moved about 50 yards north and scoped
to the north from a mound of dirt over a culvert. Seeing two small wild hogs 150 to 200 yards north of him he started to
moving in that direction. Not moving very far he saw what looked like two trails through the wet grass. Looked like two
people had crossed side by side. Seldom seeing anyone in this area and they would have had to pass by his friend to
get there. Walking down to get a better look he heard behind him,across the canal,in small cypress head,like something
splashing. Moving back over the dike to the canal he stood and watched for a couple minutes looking for movement. It
was very shadowy still in the cypress head. He raised his rifle to look through the scope that's when something made a
sound that he'd never heard before. Described it as a hrumpff. Former Marine Sgt. and Desert Shield/ Storm Veteran
said the hair stood up on the back of his neck and he was instantly alert. He went back down the dike and then dropped
down west of it and crawled back to top where he laid his rifle on his pack and waited. He spent an hour watching for
movement. It didn't leave east,west or south,couldn't say about the north side. He felt that he'd been warned not to get
any closer. Not mentioning it to his friend he did ask if he'd seen anyone pass by him. He said no. Returning to their
truck there still wasn't any other vehicles around.
The following year they noticed a large bare foot print and the year after they saw very strange eye shine. His buddy
won't talk about it. He said that in 2001 he had another encounter maybe 6 miles from this one. That time he felt
watched and knew he wasn't alone that's when he noticed there weren't any sounds being made by other wild
animals,just complete silence.
1998-OSCEOLA COUNTY-Creature walking weirdly and hunched over seen.
Alligators are a common sight along
the scenic Tamiami Trail from Miami to
Naples. Unlike its sister Alligator Alley,
the trail is only one lane in each
direction and has no fences to keep
wildlife from traversing it.
the scenic Tamiami Trail from Miami to
Naples. Unlike its sister Alligator Alley,
the trail is only one lane in each
direction and has no fences to keep
wildlife from traversing it.
NEW-COLLIER COUNTY-Aug,1998-Hot, about 10 Am.-Half way
across the Tamiami Trail / Witness returning from trip in the Florida
Keys heading towards home in St. Petersburg,Fl./ He and his two
sons and best friend,who was sitting in passenger seat, were
traveling about 40 miles an hour, no other cars in sight at the time.
He was enjoying being with his sons and friend and taking his time
looking for a good fishing spot when an ape like creature ran across
the road about 1/8 mile ahead. It ran upright and jumped over the
canal which guessing was about 30 feet across with alligators in the
area./ Witness said he was a hunter and a fisherman his entire life
and knows what he saw. It was about 5 to 6 feet tall,dark
brown/reddish color,face also was same color as the body hair.The
arms were longer then a humans. Pulling over he checked for signs
and used his binuculars searching the area but never saw it again.
He said he stayed there for about 20 minutes before leaving.The
area had been in a drought and the scrubs were burnt and so was
the strangle vines from the 95 degree heat.He said he knew it was
hiding because he would have seen it if it had continued to move
on.There was no way to get across the canal so he couldn't persue
it. It happened in the Big Cypress swamp area.He said that the area
smelled like sulfur and swamp so he didn't notice any odor from the
creature. He was sure that the animal he saw was not a monkey or
ape that we know
across the Tamiami Trail / Witness returning from trip in the Florida
Keys heading towards home in St. Petersburg,Fl./ He and his two
sons and best friend,who was sitting in passenger seat, were
traveling about 40 miles an hour, no other cars in sight at the time.
He was enjoying being with his sons and friend and taking his time
looking for a good fishing spot when an ape like creature ran across
the road about 1/8 mile ahead. It ran upright and jumped over the
canal which guessing was about 30 feet across with alligators in the
area./ Witness said he was a hunter and a fisherman his entire life
and knows what he saw. It was about 5 to 6 feet tall,dark
brown/reddish color,face also was same color as the body hair.The
arms were longer then a humans. Pulling over he checked for signs
and used his binuculars searching the area but never saw it again.
He said he stayed there for about 20 minutes before leaving.The
area had been in a drought and the scrubs were burnt and so was
the strangle vines from the 95 degree heat.He said he knew it was
hiding because he would have seen it if it had continued to move
on.There was no way to get across the canal so he couldn't persue
it. It happened in the Big Cypress swamp area.He said that the area
smelled like sulfur and swamp so he didn't notice any odor from the
creature. He was sure that the animal he saw was not a monkey or
ape that we know