This short represents an accounting of our initial outing on B.M.'s place when we first began to actively research as to what type of critter(s) were inhabiting the area...
Attack of the Armored Brigade!
Summer, 2002
It was our initial outing on BMs place and the following is a recollection of that evenings events. What piqued our interest was an (alleged) encounter BM and his neighbor recently had in this area where they were growled at while several (~4 diameter) saplings were being violently shaken. D.G. & W.W. had a similar experience ~8 months earlier approximately ½ mile from BMs location.
W.W., J.W. and I were the first to arrive at the hidden bean field located in BMs 80 acres of bottomland. It was just before sunset so we unloaded our equipment (video, sound and weapons) and began to get it set up along with making a campfire. BM had earlier located a foot print along the creek bank and attempted to make a plaster casting. Unfortunately, the cast was destroyed as he attempted to remove it from the ground. He had also hung a large carp (caught from the creek) from a low hanging tree limb beside the creek as bait.
The carp had been removed from the hook it was earlier (2 days) hung on with no obvious signs of it having been eaten on the spot or other disturbance on the surrounding ground which wouldve indicated something had drug the fish out, etc.
As darkness approached there began a series of vocalizations first from west of our location and then back to the east with each source estimated to be 500-700 yards away. The best way to describe these sounds is a howl that trailed off in a moaning sound. I wouldnt say it was canine nor owlish in nature but akin to something youd hear in the primate section at a zoo. Also, later that evening we heard the peacock/wood duck/donkey scream coming from down in the creek. That was our first instance of hearing this sound but have since heard it on at least four occasions since that evening.
It was ~18:00 when D.G. & B.M. arrived to the site with B.M. bringing his new Gen III NV binoculars which promptly went on the fritz. They were later returned for a full replacement w/o any questions from Cabelas. W.W. had a camcorder w/IR capability and the rest of us had regular incandescent type lights, as we were still green as to what equipment was necessary for this type of endeavor. Also, as D.G. & B.M. were driving in from the blacktop the vocalizations again cranked up as they often did (on subsequent outings) seemingly to announce our arrival.
We hung out for an hour or so with little activity noticed and B.M. decided to call it a night and D.G. drove him back up to his house on the hill. Upon D.G.s returning back to the field vocalizations again were heard and this time were increased in intensity and location, as they appeared to be much closer than before. Shortly thereafter W.W. began picking up sounds WNW of us in the creek bed area on his parabolic dish. At that point, J.W. and I proceeded along the north side of the field in a westerly path to the point where field and creek met and the creek turned back east to parallel the north side of the field. D.G. & W.W. were on the NE corner of the field~40 yards from where the creek again turned south and ran parallel to the field. The field is actually traced on a parallel to the west, north and east sides by the creek. They had the dish and camcorder in operation and were scanning the creek area from that position.
When J.W. and I reached the NW corner of the field I switched on a 1000K candlepower spotlight and began sweeping the creek bed area situated ~35-40 yards north of our spot as we had been hearing movement therein. Within seconds, D.G. picked up the sound of footsteps coming up the creek splashing through the intermittent pools of water. Then, W.W. caught the image of a large object crossing his viewfinder on the camcorder. The "critter" stopped when it apparently knew W.W. & D.G. were observing it and could be heard (on the dish) breathing heavily and pacing back and forth over a very short distance. To this day we cannot positively ID what it is/was except to say it was ~7-8 in height. The object then sprinted up the north creek bank and could be heard crashing through the timber in a NNE direction.
Afterwards, things were very quiet with no further vocalizations or other signs of activity noticed as even the coyotes and owls went to bed. At ~1:00 we decided to pack things up and head home when the attack happened!
We had just stowed the last of our gear (including weapons) in the bed of my truck and just as I locked the tonneau cover a loud disturbance was heard just off to our left coming straight up from the creek headed directly at us! We must of looked like Moe, Larry & Curly (W.W.) scrambling and jumping around hollering wheres the light, he!!, wheres the gun, etc. when D.G. calmly walked over and shined his coon hunters head light on momma and baby armadillo who probably just wanted to join in on our party.
It was a fitting conclusion to our initial outing and stories to follow will include details on events such as D.G. and my encounter with six (the family group) of these critters as well as J.W. and Brians FTF encounter plus my FTF while on a duck hunt a few miles north of this place and a few other shorts as well.
