The Bainbridge Bigfoot: A Hunter's Close Encounter

In the frost-laden woods of Ross County, Ohio, a tale unfolded that would linger in the minds of locals for years to come. It was December 1st, 2002, a day marked by an extraordinary encounter near the slopes of Coppers Mountain, not far from the tranquil town of Bainbridge.

Seventeen-year-old Jake, an avid young hunter familiar with the lay of the land, ventured into the dense forest that bordered his family’s trailer home. His steps, guided by routine and the thrill of the hunt, took him along a trail not far from State Route 772. The cold winter air was crisp, and the sun hovered low, casting long shadows through the barren trees.

As he trudged back, his thoughts occupied with the day’s lack of game, a foul stench assaulted his senses. It was like rotting meat mixed with the acridity of spoiled garbage. Rounding a bend, Jake stopped dead in his tracks. Before him, barely 25 feet away, was a massive creature, its arms wrapped around a tree, looking skyward.

At first glance, the young hunter mistook it for a bear, but as the creature turned, Jake's assumptions shattered. Standing before him was a figure of immense size, covered in shaggy brown hair. It was unlike anything he had ever seen – seven feet tall, with a powerful build and a face obscured by hair, yet its eyes and partially open mouth were unmistakably visible.

Fear rooted Jake to the spot as they locked gazes. The creature’s eyes bore into him, full of intelligence and curiosity. Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity as they stared at each other. The young hunter felt a primal fear gripping his heart, yet a profound fascination held him in place.

The creature growled, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the chilly air. Jake, in a gesture of peace, slowly lowered his rifle to the ground. The creature’s demeanor shifted, its eyes softening. It then turned sharply and vanished into the thicket, its departure as enigmatic as its appearance.

Jake, driven by a mix of terror and intrigue, chased after the creature, but it was to no avail. The being had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only the echoes of its passage and the lingering stench in the air.

The young hunter returned home, his mind racing with what he had just experienced. Despite his family's skepticism, Jake knew what he saw was real. He later recounted his experience to B.C., a local investigator, who visited the site of the encounter. Together, they retraced Jake's steps, but the creature had left no trace.

The Bainbridge Encounter, as it came to be known, stirred the local community. While some dismissed it as a tall tale, others whispered of ancient beings that roamed the forests of Ohio, guardians of a world that exists just beyond the reach of human understanding. Jake’s encounter on that cold December day remained an indelible memory, a moment where two worlds, for a brief instance, collided.

  • https://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=7932

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Paul Fuzinski

Paul started Aptitude Outdoors in 2016 after Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail. He is an outdoors writer, filmmaker and wildlife photographer. He enjoys hunting, fishing and telling stories about conservation.

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An Eyewitness Bigfoot Encounter in Ohio's Wilderness

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Bigfoot and Human Evolution