Report # 15419 (Class B)
Submitted by witness on Thursday, August 03, 2006.
Photographer is "escorted" out of the woods between Osoyoos & Greenwood
YEAR: 2004
SEASON: Winter
MONTH: January
DATE: 2nd week
PROVINCE: British Columbia
COUNTRY: Canada
LOCATION DETAILS: It was on crown land in a forest preserve. Off on one the hundreds of old logging roads in the area.
NEAREST TOWN: Between Osoyoos & Greenwood, BC
NEAREST ROAD: Hwy 3
OBSERVED: It was a few weeks after Christmas and I was out taking pictures for some new projects. I was offroad about 15 miles with 12"-14" snow on the logging road. I have driven these roads many times through out the seasons and my truck was more than able to get me through the drifts. It was about 2pm when I enter the forest to one of my favorite places to shoot. An old abandoned homestead. About 3-4 crumbling old log buildings are there and make interesting subject matter. I wanted to catch the right light. There were some older snowmobile tracks under the week old powder but no other signs of people being around. It was about -10 and no wind so a nice winter day for photography.
The shadows were getting longer so I got out of the truck and started walk toward the edge of the clearing. I shot for about an hour and half when I got the feeling I was alone anymore. I've seen coyotes, moose, deer, and the odd bear here but the wind was blowing from behind me so they would smelled my scent and vanished.There was a rumoured wolf pack but I doubt I would have heard them. The aspen stands are difficult to see into and your eyes can play tricks on you.
I shrugged it off to nerves and kept looking for that ulitmate sunset shot. I looked toward my truck which about 500 yards to the south of me. I had wandered pretty far as I leave it open and keys in it out in the woods just in case I fell down or drop them in the snow. I figure I have enough pictures for the day and put my camera in my backpack then started back towards the truck. This is where it gets strange. The snow was knee deep and tough going. Again I get the feeling I'm being watched. I glance over my shoulder but nothing is there. I keep going following the tree line about 30 feet away along a frozen creek. Then I hear it. Some small twigs snapping in the woods about 150 yards. (est.). This is thick bush with 1'-2' feet of dead fall along with powder snow at about 2' feet deep. Not easy going for any creature.
I pick up my pace to fast trot. I don't need to meet up with a bear who has yet to go sleep for the winter! Now I start to hear actual footsteps! And it or they were running through the woods either along side my path or towards me. I didnt wait to find out.
I ran for my truck which I was about 150 yrds from by now. The sun was nearly gone by now which made me even more scared. I darted across the clearing. I reached the truck with the trees snapping 200 feet away. There was a definate grunting now, like an elk, but much deeper. As I fired it up and started to turn it around. I saw the pines shaking and the snow falling off in the last light of the day and the bouncing truck lights. I went back two weeks later and found snapped off 6" sapplings but that was about it as it had snowed 2-3 feet over the weeks. This was at an elevation of about 4200 feet.
Later I told a friend of this and he said "bigfoot" and told me of an encounter on the same road which was far more dangerous the year prior. I have since moved away from BC. I have shot, camped and ridden horse back throught out North America's back country and encountered many animals, human and non. The sounds I heard were NOT of any animal I had heard before.
OTHER WITNESSES: Just me...
OTHER STORIES: Yes but til after I told my encounter to a friend. It is lengthy but extremely chilling.
TIME AND CONDITIONS: Dusk on a cloudless day. Cold.
ENVIRONMENT: Pine forests with a stands of Aspen surrounding a 10-12 acre clearing.
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Blaine McMillan :
I have communicated with the witness and the following information from his report should be noted:
The witness is an avid outdoorsman and has had significant experience with wildlife of all types. He was photographing an old mountain homestead at the time of his encounter.
From his report there are some indications that this was a class B incident.
- The sounds of bipedal footsteps that maintained a safe distance but kept up with him as he left the forest.
- The snow being shaken from the trees. Many other witnesses have described deliberate tree shaking.
At this time of year the bears in this area (at this altitude and snow level) would most certainly be hibernating. Most large game animals such as deer, elk and moose would be preparing to shelter at the lower elevations where forage would be more accessable.
About BFRO Investigator Blaine McMillan :
Retired Canadian Military Survival Equipment technician
Married with two young sons. An avid camper, hunter and fisherman.
Attended the BFRO BC Expeditions in August of 2005 and 2006.
Organized the 2007 Vancouver Island Expedition.
Will be organizing the 2008 Vancouver Island Expedition. To inquire about this upcoming expedition, please email
vancouver_island@BFRO.net
