Report
Received From: The GCBRO Online Report
Submission Form.
Report
Posted To GCBRO Web Site On:
October 4, 2007
DATE:
October 2006
TIME:
Approx. an hour after sunset
LOCATION:
Lucas County, Iowa
TERRAIN:
Abandoned rail bed, some woodland, farmland surrounding that
OBSERVED:
While I did not actually see anything, something very strange occurred.
My friend and I, and my tough little terrier, were hiking the Cinder Trail.
We had flashlights as we arrived late, and wanted to hike several hours.
Going south on the trail we came upon police "do not cross" crime tape
stretched across the trail; undeterred we ducked under and kept going.
Perhaps 100 yards later we came across another tape line. We continued
on, all the while my dog was darting here and there, seeking to chase off
after everything he heard or saw or smelled. When the sun set, and twilight
was settling we decided to turn back. Upon coming across the first tape
line we ducked under, and immediately were hit by an incredibly strong,
musky odor. It was something like a lion house at the zoo, or a skunk.
My dog immediately glued to my friend's leg (he was walking the dog) and
remained there as we moved on to the second tape. All the while I felt
as if there was something there, something watching, and kept turning around
and shining my flashlight back behind us as by this time it was quite dark.
We finally got to the other tape line, ducked under, and kept on; the odor
disappeared not long after we moved away from the tape line. I don't know
what that was all about, but the weird feeling, the actions of my dog,
and the incredibly thick, musky odor leads me to want to report this. Please
contact me; I hike on a regular basis, and would be willing to assist in
any further field research which might be undertaken.
Activities
of Witness: Out hiking a bike/hike
trail in the evening/after sunset hours
Description
of Creature: Did not actually sight
the alleged creature
Other
Notes: I haven't a clue
what this encounter was. As are many, I remain skeptical, but open-minded.
All I know is that in a very confined but open area of a trail -- no one
was on the trail at this time either -- I encountered the strongest, muskiest
odor I have ever smelled, like being in a lion house at the zoo, which
is a confined area, but much stronger.
Other
(Informational or Encounter History in the General Area) Notes:
Unknown to me, reports of cougar and bobcat exist, but I don't think the
odor would be so strong if what I sensed was a cat
Additional Notes and or Follow up Comments: Oh yes, I was just in contact with my friend about this. I asked him to think back and tell me if he remembered anything, and he wanted me to state that he thought he had heard a low growl, or "chuffing" sort of noise. I didn't hear this, however.