Illinois Howl - an update and a request.

[fulltimer]

Several months ago I recorded an unusual howl.  I recorded this vocalization 5 times this Spring here in Central Illinois.  I setup a special page for the discussion of this sound at:

http://www.stancourtney.com/illinoishowl.html

The most recent recording (and also the loudest, closest and best recording) was made on the 24th of May - http://www.stancourtney.com/sounds/05.24.2006IllinoisHowl.mp3

This howl has been posted on 10 different hunting forums. The responses have been varied: coyote, dog, coy-dog, wolf, fox, bigfoot. The sound file has been downloaded over 5,000 times which shows that there has been widespread interest in this clip.

This howl when analyzed using a sound editor (such as Adobe Audition or Soundforge) does exhibit specific qualities that is not found in other animal vocalizations.

There are many recording devices out there today from things as simple as a cellphone to a small digital dictating recorder or mp3 recorder. So, if you hear an animal that you think sounds like this howl please record it and send me a copy of the file so that it can be compared and anaylized.

You can email it to me at stancourtney@hotmail.com

Thank you very much.

[Micahn]

I do not know about anyone else but I hear different animals in different ones you have posted there. Some are flat out canine of some kind be it a dog or coyote or what ever. Others I am not so sure that they are canine but they do sound some what like a canine.
If I had to bet money on what you recorded I would say coyotes. I am sort of shocked that people on hunting forums did not pick right up on coyotes being the sounds you recorded. as some of them are plain as day as far as I can tell coyotes. But I would not class them as Bigfoot at all. Have you ever heard what some say is a Bigfoot yell ?

[fulltimer]

Hi,

I have been very careful not to suggest that this any particular animal. I have heard "bigfoot howls" in New Mexico.

Listening to a sound can be very subjective - everyone hears something differently. I have gotten many emails from hunters saying that they hear this all the time from coyotes, or that it sounds just like their own dog.

On the five recordings it exhibits several traits that are discernable on all five. The howl starts out as a low volume sound that seems like it is just clearing its throat. It then delivers three somewhat equal volume howls. The second and third howl are spaced a little bit further apart than the first and second howl.

All I am asking is that for someone provide me with a recording that matches this howl.  Sound analysis is not difficult as long as the sound is good quality.  

Thanks,  Stan

stancourtney@hotmail.com