Incident/Observation Report

Report Title: Discovery of Unusual X-Type Tree Structure in Shawnee National Forest

Date: Friday January 15 2021
Location: Remote area of Shawnee National Forest, Illinois (specific coordinates or trail/section if available)

Reporting Individual: the Sqwatchers 

Summary

During a routine on-site investigation in a remote section of the Shawnee National Forest, the Sqwatchers discovered an unusual X-type structure formed by two trees. The structure was observed amidst fall conditions with significant leaf litter covering the ground. The breaks in the trees do not appear to be from natural causes and are positioned at a height that would make human intervention extremely difficult. On follow-up trips to the same location, the structure was completely gone.

Detailed Description

The structure consists of two separate trees, each approximately 6 inches in circumference. Both trees were broken off at a height of approximately 13 feet. One tree was broken and angled in one direction while the second tree was broken and angled in the opposite direction, causing the two trunks to cross and form a distinct “X” shape. The trees remained attached at the top. The bases of the two trees were positioned approximately 13 to 14 feet apart.

The surrounding environment was typical remote woodland with heavy leaf clutter on the forest floor, consistent with autumn conditions. The breaks show no clear signs of natural causes (such as storm damage or animal activity), and the height combined with the trees’  4-inch circumference in this remote location makes conventional human intervention highly improbable.

Photographs/Evidence

Photographs of the structure were taken and will be inserted into this report as supporting documentation. 

Observations/Notes

•  The cause of the breaks does not appear natural, yet the height and remote location make typical human intervention unlikely.

•  The deliberate X-shape appearance was noteworthy given the symmetry and opposing angles.

•  On follow-up trips to the same location, the structure was completely gone.

Prepared By:The Sqwatchers

Bigfoot / Sasquatch Sighting Report Form

Report SITE1
Submitted by: The Sqwatchers
Submission Date: Thursday, August 23, 2018

1. Incident Details

• Date of Sighting: August 23, 2018
• Time of Sighting: Not specified (daylight hours, after)
• Location: Site 1 (wooded area previously known to contain structures)
• Environmental Conditions: Forest floor covered in dry leaves, pine needles, and debris. Ground appeared moist beneath the print.

2. Description of Evidence

A single, well-defined footprint imprint was discovered in the leaf litter. Key observations:

• The print appeared very fresh, with visible moisture on the exposed soil where the impression was made.
• No additional tracks leading to or away from the print were found, despite thorough searching of the surrounding area.
• The leaves and debris around the edges of the print were visibly pushed upward, consistent with downward pressure from a heavy foot.
• The print was deeper and more compressed than surrounding soil, suggesting significant weight.

3. Physical Evidence & Scale

• A human shoe (dark slip-on loafer-style with blue jeans visible) was placed next to the print for scale in the submitted photograph.
• The footprint appears substantially larger and broader than the reference shoe.
• Substrate: Mix of pine needles, oak/maple-style leaves, and dark soil.

Attached Media:

• Photograph showing the footprint with human shoe for scale (see submitted image).

4. Witness Analysis & Notes

While investigating Site 1 for known structures, the team noticed the isolated imprint. Initial excitement stemmed from it being one of their first complete prints. The lack of entry or exit tracks raised questions about the subject’s method of approach and departure. Possible explanations considered by the team include arboreal navigation (e.g., descending from or climbing into a nearby tree).

5. Additional Context

• This occurred in an area with prior reported activity (structures noted in previous visits).
• No visual sighting of the subject; only the footprint was documented.
• Team: Members of “The Sqwatchers” research group.

6. Follow-up Recommendations

• Search surrounding trees and canopy for additional signs.
• Monitor the area with trail cameras.
• Compare measurements and morphology with known databases.

Report Status: Initial documentation complete.
Classification: Possible Sasquatch footprint (single isolated track with anomalous trackway absence).

Submitted by the Sqwatchers

Field Investigation Report: Anomalous Large Nest Structure

Site 1 (Private Woodland Property)
Report Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Incident Date: Late 2022 (exact date not specified)
Investigators: [Redacted] & Jim
Classification: Unidentified Biological Construction / Possible Cryptid Activity
 Summary

A trusted retired officer reported his nephew discovering an unusually large nest-like structure while deer hunting on a privately owned wooded parcel. The structure was described as massive and inconsistent with known avian or mammalian nesting behavior in the region. Initial attempts to locate the site were hindered by seasonal vegetation growth. A winter drone survey identified circular ground patterns, leading to a successful ground confirmation in spring. The structure measured approximately 12–14 feet in diameter and nearly 4 feet in depth, constructed from interwoven thick branches and forest debris. No tracks, hair, scat, or other biological evidence of the architect were recovered.

Background

On an unspecified evening in late 2022, a relative of a property co-owner was hunting in the dense woodland at Site 1. Upon returning from the woods, the hunter appeared visibly unsettled and described encountering an “enormous nest” on the forest floor. He explicitly stated he had no desire to encounter whatever bird was capable of building it.

The landowner, familiar with anomalous activity on the property, promptly notified the investigative team.

Investigation Timeline

• Immediate Post-Discovery: Access was attempted shortly after the report. However, dense summer/fall undergrowth had obscured the area, rendering the structure difficult to locate.
• Winter Drone Survey: During the first light snowfall, a low-altitude drone flight was conducted over the marked coordinates. Multiple circular ground patterns were visible against the snow, consistent with a large, matted or woven disturbance. These patterns were photographed and GPS-marked for later ground investigation.
• Spring Ground Reconnaissance: In spring, investigators Jim and the reporting author hiked into the location. After systematic searching, the primary structure was located and documented.

Physical Description of the Structure

The nest consisted of a massive, roughly circular platform of interwoven branches, sticks, and forest debris. Key observations include:

• Dimensions: Approximately 12–14 feet across and nearly 4 feet deep/high at its thickest point.
• Construction: Thick branches and woody debris were deliberately woven and layered, suggesting significant strength and manipulation by a large, powerful animal or unknown entity. The structure appeared too substantial and complex for any known bird species in North America.
• Location: Situated on the forest floor in dense woodland, surrounded by typical deciduous forest understory.
• Associated Evidence:
  • No footprints, hair samples, scat, or bedding material definitively linked to a specific animal.
  • No obvious signs of recent occupancy at the time of discovery.
  • The overall impression was of deliberate, heavy construction rather than random accumulation of debris.

Visual Documentation:
[Attached Photograph – Winter/Spring view of the nest site showing dense interwoven branch structure]

Analysis & Preliminary Assessment

The size, depth, and construction quality of this structure greatly exceed those of known large bird nests (e.g., eagles, herons) or typical mammal dens in the region. The absence of clear biological traces is noteworthy but not unprecedented in similar reports. The hunter’s immediate unease and the landowner’s history of unusual encounters on the property add contextual interest.

Possible explanations under consideration (pending further evidence):

• Construction by a large known mammal (e.g., bear) using atypical methods.
• An undocumented or extremely rare behavioral variant.
• Potential cryptid activity (subject of ongoing regional interest).

No samples were collected during the initial confirmation visit. Future expeditions may include trail cameras, environmental DNA sampling, and additional drone/thermal imaging.

Recommendations

1. Install motion-activated trail cameras in a perimeter around the site.
2. Schedule periodic revisits during different seasons to monitor for re-use or new structures.
3. Maintain confidentiality with the landowner and hunter per their request.
4. Cross-reference with similar large nest reports in the broader database.

Prepared by: [Joe Jenkins]
Reviewed with: Jim Peters & Landowner
Status: Open – Monitoring Recommended

End of Report
Attachments: Site photograph, drone survey imagery (archived), GPS coordinates (secured).

Submitted by the Sqwatchers

Report: Large Footprint Cast from Site 1
Submitted by the Sqwatchers
July 17, 2026

While reviewing materials from previous expeditions at Site 1, a significant new cast was examined and documented. Measuring a full 14 inches in length, this Hydrocal casting captures the impression of an exceptionally large foot pressed into the soil.

The cast displays a broad, robust overall shape with pronounced depth and texture consistent with a heavy bipedal subject. The surface shows detailed irregularities, soil compression, and organic debris embedded during the casting process, indicating the print was made with substantial weight and force. Although some areas exhibit natural distortion from the substrate and casting conditions, the overall proportions remain striking.

This cast aligns with other large track evidence collected from the same general area in prior years. The size far exceeds typical human adult male footprints and matches the morphological characteristics noted in multiple documented encounters at Site 1.

The specimen was carefully protected after discovery, and the resulting cast provides another tangible piece of physical evidence for ongoing documentation. It will be catalogued alongside previous finds for further analysis and comparison.

Additional photographs and measurements have been recorded for the Sqwatchers archive. This continues to strengthen the body of evidence gathered from the location.

Prepared by: [Joe Jenkins] – The Sqwatchers
Date: July 2026

Bigfoot / Cryptid Sighting Report

Submitted by: Joe Jenkins
Date of Submission: July 17,2026
Date of Incident: Evening (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)
Location: Site 1, property tree line / field edge (two hundred feet from road)

Incident Summary

While conducting routine scout of the property due to multiple prior reports and evidence, the witness (Joe Jenkins) was patrolling the tree line using a golf cart. The witness was actively scanning for eye shine from animals using a headlamp in very dark conditions.

Detailed Account

The witness noticed self-illuminated eye shine out of the corner of his eye. Upon turning to face it directly, the eyes lit up brightly in response to the headlamp. He stopped the cart, attempted to photograph the subject with a cell phone (unsuccessful), then used a FLIR thermal imaging device to capture an image.

Key observations at time of sighting:

• Eyes appeared very large.
• Apparent height of eyes: approximately 4 to 4.5 feet off the ground.
• The subject remained stationary and appeared to be watching myself as I moved.
• Initial impression: possibly a cougar sitting on its haunches.
• The subject disappeared before a standard spotlight could be used to illuminate the area.

Thermal Image Evidence

The attached FLIR image (enhanced) shows what appears to be a squatting or crouched humanoid-shaped figure. Visible details include:

• Distinct body outline consistent with a crouched posture.
• Apparent arm/hand structures resting on knees (particularly noticeable on the right side).
• Thermal signature registering approximately 48 degrees F. 
• Located in a wooded/tree line area.

Additional Notes

• No further incidents of this nature have been reported at the location since this event.
• The sighting occurred several hundred yards from a previously documented nest site on the property.

Report Status: Witness account with supporting thermal imagery.
Classification: Unidentified thermal anomaly / potential cryptid sighting (possible Sasquatch or Cryptid unknown)

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Witness Statement Report: Campsite Olfactory Encounter – “The Sweet Smell of Bacon Turns Into a Night We Will Never Forget”

Date of Report: July 15, 2026

Incident Date: [summertime approximately 2003]

Location: Hardin County – Campsite located at the edge of Shawnee National Forest in a clearing

Incident Summary

Members of the Sqwatchers group, along with fellow investigator Harold Benny, were setting up their campsite for the night. After getting the fire going, Harold decided to use an old technique he had employed in the past to potentially attract Bigfoot activity. He fried bacon in a cast-iron skillet. Once cooked, he hung pieces of the bacon on tree branches around the perimeter of the campsite.

The group then settled around the campfire, enjoying the evening by talking and sharing stories.

Detailed Account

As the night progressed (roughly between 8:30 PM and 12:30 AM), the group noticed how unusually still the air was. There was no breeze, and the leaves were completely motionless. Suddenly, a powerful and extremely foul odor entered the campsite from the outskirts. Witnesses described it as one of the most horrible smells they had ever encountered — a putrid, overwhelming stench that burned the nostrils.

One investigator got up and moved his chair to the other side of the camp in an attempt to escape the smell, but it permeated the entire area and could not be avoided. The odor lingered for approximately five to six minutes before dissipating as suddenly as it had arrived. Within about 15 minutes, the smell returned with the same intensity, “knocking you down” with its severity. This cycle repeated several more times before the smell finally departed for the remainder of the night.

No unusual sounds were heard during the encounter. There were no audible footsteps, vocalizations, or other noises. The group eventually went to sleep, though the memory of the intense odor remained on their minds.

Group Methodology

The Sqwatchers have successfully used this passive technique on previous expeditions. Rather than actively knocking on trees or making calls, the group simply sits around a campfire and talks normally. They believe the Sasquatch become curious and come to investigate them. This low-key approach has proven effective in the past, allowing activity to come to them without aggressive prompting.

Morning Follow-Up Search

The next morning, Joe and Jim conducted a systematic grid-pattern search of the surrounding area. They were looking for any signs of a dead animal (given the rotting, putrid nature of the smell) or other physical evidence such as footprints. The search yielded no findings — no carcasses, no tracks, and no other signs.

Additional Monitoring

Audio recorders were later deployed in the same area. These recordings captured multiple knocks and a few howls.

Observations and Notes

•  The bacon was deliberately used as a potential attractant and hung around the campsite perimeter.

•  Weather conditions were notably calm with no wind, allowing odors to potentially linger and move without dispersion.

•  The smell arrived and departed multiple times without any accompanying visual or auditory evidence during the main encounter.

•  Despite a thorough morning search, no physical evidence (tracks, remains, or other signs) was located.

•  Subsequent audio recordings in the area produced multiple knocks and howls.

•  The group believes this encounter represents the distinctive smell associated with a Bigfoot/Sasquatch and aligns with their successful passive observation methods.

Knock and response

Woohoo then coyote then a knock.

Possible howl

Incident Report

Prepared by: The Sqwatchers

Report Title: Invisible Bipedal Entity Encounter – Shawnee National Forest, Site One

Date of Incident: [Fall Season – Exact Date Not Specified]
Time of Incident: Approximately 11:00 PM
Location: Campsite One, edge of Shawnee National Forest

Executive Summary

On a fall evening, The Sqwatchers experienced a prolonged auditory encounter with an unseen bipedal entity while camping at Site One on the edge of Shawnee National Forest. Heavy footsteps were clearly heard approaching within 15 feet of the group, passing along a fence line, and retreating, yet no visual confirmation was possible despite the use of multiple detection devices. The event left the team significantly unnerved. Audio evidence was successfully captured.

Detailed Narrative

The team had been camping at Site One throughout the evening with no prior incidents. Around 11:00 PM, Tim Stanley retired to his hammock for the night. Jim and Joe remained awake, seated in camp chairs, quietly listening to the sounds of the forest.

Without warning, the two detected clear, heavy bipedal footsteps crunching through the fallen leaves. The footsteps approached steadily from the woods. Expecting a person to emerge, the team prepared their equipment as the sounds drew closer—within approximately 15 feet.

Despite the proximity and the noisy leaf litter, no figure was visible. The footsteps continued along the fence line, passing near the campsite. As they reached a point approximately 20 feet from Tim Stanley’s hammock, the entity turned and retraced its path, walking back into the woods.

The team actively documented the event by rotating through their equipment:

• Shotgun microphone digital recorder
• FLIR thermal imaging unit
• High-powered spotlight
• Night vision camera
• Headlamps

Each tool was deployed in real time, yet none produced a visual image of the source of the footsteps. The crunching steps remained clearly audible as the entity both approached and departed.

After the sounds faded completely into the woods, the team reviewed the situation and listened to the initial recording. Later, they retired to their hammocks but reported sleeping poorly due to the unsettling nature of the encounter.

Equipment Used

• Audio: Shotgun microphone recorder (primary evidence captured)
• Thermal: FLIR unit
• Visual: Spotlight, night vision camera, headlamps

Visual Result: Negative – no heat signature, no physical form, no movement detected by any device.
Audio Result: Positive – clear recording of bipedal footsteps.

Additional Notes

This incident is not isolated. Similar reports of unseen heavy bipedal activity have been received from other individuals in the county. The Sqwatchers team had not previously experienced an encounter of this nature at this location or elsewhere.

Evidence Included:

• Original audio recording from the night of the encounter (provided below or attached).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The event involved a clearly audible, heavy, bipedal presence that remained completely invisible to both the naked eye and multiple forms of electronic detection. The prolonged and deliberate movement pattern suggests an intelligent or purposeful entity.

The Sqwatchers will continue monitoring this site and similar locations. Further investigation, including potential repeat visits with expanded equipment.

Report Status: Open – Awaiting further analysis of audio and potential follow-up fieldwork.

Prepared by: The Sqwatchers

End of Report

Audio Evidence: Below

INCIDENT REPORT

Report Title: Observation of Anomalous Animal Figure in Eastern Hardin County Pasture
Submitted by: Joe Jenkins
Date of Incident: (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)
Location: Eastern Hardin County (rural pasture and roadway)

Summary
On the above date and time, while on duty with the Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Joe Jenkins assisted in securing escaped cattle that had entered a public roadway. During the response, an unusual dark figure was observed at a distance of approximately 433 ft across the pasture. A photograph was taken prior to leaving the scene. Subsequent review of the image revealed details inconsistent with a normal bovine, prompting further interest.

Narrative
In Nov, 2018, I was working for the Sheriff’s Department and responded to a call involving cattle loose on a roadway in eastern Hardin County. I assisted in moving the cows off the road and back into the adjacent field through a broken section of fence.

I remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes, awaiting the arrival of the property owner so that the broken fence location could be shown. Once the owner arrived, I noticed what appeared to be another cow in the woods on the far side of the field, Google earth put the distance at 433ft. I pointed out the figure to the owner, who also observed it and commented that the cattle must have broken through the fence in that area as well.

At the time, the figure was too distant to discern clear details, appearing only as a dark, indistinct shape. Before clearing the scene for another call, I took a photograph of the area with my phone for documentation purposes.

Later, upon reviewing the image, I zoomed in and observed features that did not appear consistent with a standard cow. I returned to the location in an attempt to recreate the photograph and/or re-locate the figure, but was unsuccessful.

Evidence

• Digital photographs taken at the scene (included with this report).
• The original photo, when zoomed, shows the anomalous dark figure in the wooded area.

Additional Notes
No further investigation or follow-up was conducted at the time. The figure was initially assumed to be livestock but appeared irregular upon closer examination of the photograph.

Submitted by:
Joe Jenkins
Date: [July 17, 2026]

Incident Report: Unidentified Entity Sighting
Case Reference: HC- Red Eyes 
Location: South side of Hardin County, rural residence surrounded by dense tree line on three sides
Date of Incident: Approximately [late 70s]
Reporting Officer / Compiler: The Sqwatchers 
Classification: Potential Cryptid / Unexplained Biological Entity

Summary
On an ordinary evening after full dark, a young married man returning home with his wife observed a pair of unusually large, glowing red eyes positioned high in the tree line bordering their driveway. What followed was not a simple misidentification of local wildlife, but an encounter that defies rational explanation and continues to linger in the memory of those involved.

Narrative Account
The couple had just turned into the driveway of their isolated country home. The house, small and tucked among thick woods, offered little visibility once the sun set. As the headlights swept across the property, the husband clearly saw two bright red eyes staring down from what he thought was a tree limb.

Concerned for his wife’s safety, he instructed her to go inside immediately while he retrieved a firearm and a powerful flashlight. Stepping back out into the cool night air, he swept the beam toward the location of the eyes. The light revealed an empty space. There was no tree trunk, no branch, no structure at that exact spot—only open air where something had been watching from a significant height.

The realization settled heavily: whatever possessed those eyes stood much taller than he was.  The weapon he carried suddenly felt insignificant, against the scale of the observer. A profound sense of being studied, rather than merely seen, washed over him. The night had hid whatever was out there on his property.

Corroboration
Weeks or months later, the husband recounted the event to a trusted friend. The friend’s response was immediate and chilling: “I know what it was.” He described driving the same rural road one night when a massive, dark shape stepped out of the tree line and crossed directly in front of his vehicle. The figure moved with unnatural silence for its size, vanishing into a field on the opposite side—only a short distance from the couple’s property.

Additional Notes

• No physical evidence was recovered.
• The eyes were described as reflective and intensely red, consistent with certain nocturnal creatures yet mismatched with any known local fauna given the reported height.
• Residents in the immediate area have occasionally reported “feeling watched” from the tree line after dark, though most dismiss it as rural paranoia.
• The property remains occupied. Neighbors continue to note occasional unexplained heavy footfalls or the snap of large branches in the woods on still nights.

Conclusion / Assessment
This does not appear to have been a conventional animal caught in headlights. The height, the absence of a supporting tree, and the second independent sighting suggest something that moves through these woods with purpose—something that observes human homes from the darkness and chooses when to reveal itself.