Hunters Encounter Sasquatch While Tracking Grizzly Bears in Alaska's Tongass National Forest
Overview of the Encounter
Sam Longfooter, a Native American experienced in hunting and wilderness survival.
Date: unknown
Year: 2008
Location: Tongass National Forest
Land Managed By: Federal
Nearest Town: Ketchikan
County: Unknown
State: Alaska
Nearest Landmark: BAM Canal
Witness Accounts
In 2008, a group of hunters led by Sam Longfooter, a Native American with substantial experience in grizzly hunting, ventured into the remote Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Their initial goal was to track down grizzly bears, employing the services of a local guide known for his expertise in the area. They arrived in Ketchikan and set out aboard a 36-ft vessel that would take them to their hunting grounds via the BAM Canal and the Unuk River. Upon reaching their destination, Sam and the other hunters began their trek into the woods. The forest was dense, dark, and damp, with moss covering the ground, which muffled their footsteps— a critical factor during a bear hunt where sound could mean the difference between life and death. On the first day, they discovered signs of a massive grizzly bear, including fresh tracks and tree scratches indicating a dominant bear's presence. However, as the weather worsened with heavy rain, they decided to retreat to their ship for safety. After two days of continuous rain, they resumed their hunt, finding the massive bear tracks still evident but also coming across an unexpected set of prints that were distinctly larger than those of a bear. The prints measured over 24 inches in length and nearly 10 inches in width, indicating the presence of a creature that was beyond their initial quarry. This discovery filled the group with a mixture of anxiety and curiosity, prompting them to follow the tracks deeper into the forest. As they progressed, they found hundreds of these enormous tracks leading in the same direction, suggesting a well-defined path. The atmosphere in the forest was tense, with visibility limited. They were acutely aware that they might be in the territory of something that could pose a significant danger. After some time, they entered a clearing where the grass was high, and an overpowering foul odor filled the air, prompting their senses to heighten. From this position, they spotted a gigantic figure emerge from the dense foliage approximately 50 feet away. Recognizing the creature as a Sasquatch, they quickly dove down to conceal themselves, their hearts racing as they prepared for a possible confrontation. Sam Longfooter, after a tense wait, gathered the courage to peek out from their hiding place, only to see that the creature had turned its back to them. They observed it for a brief time before deciding to quietly retreat to their boat and eventually the ship, where they called off the hunt for the day. The encounter with the Sasquatch was unexpected and shifted their focus from hunting grizzly bears to investigating the mysterious creature. The group noted the creature's impressive adaptation to its habitat, and despite the dangers of the wilderness, their curiosity drove them to continue their exploration, though they were unable to find any new bear tracks after their initial sighting. The experience left the hunters in awe of the encounter they had just witnessed, and they returned to their original pursuit of grizzly bears with a new sense of respect for the unknown inhabitant of the forest.
Source
Note: Information above was collected and summarized by A.I. Dates, name and location could be inaccurate or wrong.