This was e-mailed to me at another website that happened to be discussing the scream caught on tape near Dayton, Ohio. I asked anyone that had sightings or encounters to PM me their experiences.
Originally Posted by *********
Had a strange experience at Piedmont about 10 years ago. I was fishing for flatheads up in the shallow end of the lake. It is gravel road that goes down to the lake and it ends into gravel boat ramp. I have hunted (rac)coons with my uncle and his champion dogs all over the midwest, in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, PA and West Virginia; but i have never experienced anything like this before. I was 20 at the time, just getting into flatheading which of course means alot of time spent in the dark; which could make the mind wander or play tricks at times. On my way down to this spot, it was already dark and I caught my bait elsewhere. I saw deer, a fox, and several opossum. It was a beautiful night, no moon and partly cloudy. I was fishing for about an hour and caught a big channel cat, let him go and then it all started. Sounded like someone walking up on the hill, albeit very slowly. The steps would occur, stop for a while, then start again, only when they started again they sounded closer. I figured it was deer feeding in the woods, no biggy. For the hell of it, to try and see them, i took my big light (some type of big mag-light) and shined it around up in the growth only to see nothing. The pacing stopped for about a half hour, then started again with what I can only describe as a human-sounding cough. At this point I went to my trunk and withdrew something I always take when I am fishing alone - a .357 S&W. I held the light up in the woods then on the gun and yelled, "Hey motherf****r, ya wanna get shot?" This seemed to halt the footsteps for about an hour. Then from across the lake came this "whewwwwup" (which was a little deeper in tone) followed by what seemed 20 feet to the left of me, the same noise. I edged out to the water's edge, peered down the shoreline (it was dark that night!) and saw just like a shadow of the upper torso of a person leaning back into the brush. I clicked my light on and something BIG took off uphill. Needless to say, I dont really remember packing my gear up I did it so fast. I figured it was a bunch of fellow rednecks messing with me, but I have to wonder, did I have an encounter?? I am still uncertain to this day. I never felt threatened or anything, especially with my gun; but i have never been nor ever hope to be that afraid again. You are only about the fifth person I have told this to. A friend of mine had an experience in the same area, he is a true stand-up kinda guy; and it bothers him to talk about it. He has served in the Coast Guard since he was 18 (he is 29 now) and will just say he saw something on 2 legs, that wasnt 'right.' Thanks for letting me share my story, I really dont like to tell many, but hope it helps!
Hi *********
First of all, please allow me to apologize for not replying sooner. I work two jobs so unfortunately my time is not all mine. Secondly, thank you for sharing your experience, it is appreciated.
Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions about your encounter? Also, theres a website I visit that I would like to post your experience on. Your anonymity would be guaranteed of course. After I post it, I'm sure my fellow researchers would have alot of questions to ask. But I wont put it up without your permission. The contribution of your encounter would be greatly appreciated, as it seems you are an experienced woodsman so the likelyhood of a misidentification is low. Please let me know.
Anyway, thank you for your time, I'll stop rambling now. Have a nice weekend and good fishin' to you.
He basically wrote me back and said ask away. Of course we'll have to keep in mind this happend about ten years ago so who knows how sharp the details will be.
I'm trying to come up with questions for him.
1) Do you recall any smell in the area?
2) "I never felt threatened or anything, especially with my gun; but i have never been nor ever hope to be that afraid again." Can you elaborate on this?
3) How tall would you estimate it to be?
4) How heavy?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. And no, billgreeenbigfoot2005 I currently dont have the time to drive down there and take pictures, but I did use the term "researcher" in my reply to him, as a tip o' the hat to ya!
Heres some info about Piedmont Lake. Its near Salt Fork State Park, an area with a few more recent sightings.
Piedmont Lake
Copyright: US Army Corps of Engineers
Piedmont Lake
Description - The Piedmont Lake Dam is located near the southern border of Harrison County, Ohio, on Stillwater Creek, a tributary of the Tuscarawas River. The Piedmont Lake pool covers 2,312 acres over portions of Harrison, Belmont, and Guernsey Counties. The lake has a maximum depth of 38 feet and 38 miles of shoreline. The dam was constructed in 1937 as part of a system of dams designed to provide flood control in the Muskingum Watershed. The dam is a rolled-earth and rock-filled embankment with an impervious core.
Attractions - Offering secluded bays and overall good fish coverage, Piedmont Lake is well known for its populations of muskellunge, bass and a variety of other species. Two public launching ramps offer access to the lake which has a 10 HP limit. The state record for muskellunge (55 lb. 2 oz) was taken from Piedmont Lake, and many catfish weighing 50 to 70 lbs.. have also been taken.
Piedmont Marina, a private facility, offers docking, boat rental, boat sales, service, lunch counter, fuel, fishing and boating supplies, and a motel. Over 80 campsites maintained by the marina and will accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. Electric hookups and some full hookups are available.
Camping at Piedmont Lake is available through Muskinghum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD).
There are no hiking trails, designated horseback trails, or mountain bike paths. Bikes are permitted on the state highways and the MWCD park.
There are no designated picnic areas at the Corps of Engineers facilities. There is a picnic area located at a roadside rest on State Route 22, a quarter mile west of Piedmont Dam, maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, with approximately 16,000 acres, provides excellent hunting. Hunting is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, which issues a publication about Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. In the interest of safety, hunting on MWCD land is prohibited in or near restricted use areas as well as near residential areas, buildings, public roads and highways around the lake. Maps for hunting and fishing can be obtained from the MWCD or the Ohio Division of Wildlife Officer.
No swimming areas are available at this project. MWCD has designated one boat-accessible swimming area for the lake.
There are no handicapped accessible facilities at Piedmont Lake, USACE.
Recreation - Recreations at Piedmont Lake include boating, camping, fishing, hunting, picnicking, water sports, wildlife viewing, and touring the dam facility.
Climate - This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.
Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.
Location - From Cambridge, travel 24 miles northeast on U.S. Route 22.
You may fire when ready!