STORY SUBMISSIONS & FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS

2002

Crow, WV

It was raining outside, a bit chilly, a really horrible day when I think back on it. My cat had escaped outside when I got home. She wasn’t allowed out because we had one get hit by a car and another taken by coyotes, so we just wanted to keep her safe.

Anyway, we live in a very rural area adjacent to a good stretch of forest and a long field. So, I was chasing the cat through the grass, drenched and covered in mud. She looked back and saw that I was still following and bolted towards the treeline. I followed after her, yelling and telling her to stop or come back; she ignored me, of course. I saw her jump into some thick brush and disappear. I was so aggravated with her.

So, I went back home and got a raincoat, boots, and a flashlight. I started walking back to where I saw her when I heard someone from my left shout, “Heeeeeyy!” There are a couple of kids who play around here in the woods, so I thought it might be them (even though it would’ve been strange that they were out in this weather and out so late); it did sound just like them, though. So, I called back, “You better get home, or your Mom’ll be mad!” Two voices responded with the same “Heeeeeyy!” They sounded maybe 20 ft from each other and a little deeper in than before. Things didn’t feel right, so I asked, “What’re you guys doing out here?” One of them said, “Help! Help! Help!”, each time the word was, like, very short, almost like it was a recording being played over and over. It freaked me out.

I didn’t say anything for a while—just stood there and listened. It did the “Heeeeeyy!” thing again, exactly like before, and I ran to the neighbor’s house. I told her what happened, and she had a strange look on her face (though I probably sounded hysterical) and told me both the boys were home. So, we called 911 and told them everything, but they didn’t find anything or anybody—nothing strange at all.

I felt really horrible, like, I thought everyone thought I was either on drugs or lying. I went home and turned all the lights on; I don’t think I slept that night. I don’t know if it was a ghost, or a monster, or some kind of alien thing, but I hope it never comes back. If it does, I’ll sell my house and move. My cat did come back, though; I think she saw something outside too because she never tries to get out anymore. She was scratching and screaming at the door late that night wanting back in; she freaked me out when she did that, I thought the thing was going to break into my house or something.

- Alex

THE DUETING BIGFEET

Woodland Crooners are medium-sized bigfeet with leathery, wrinkled skin, and gray hair; males’ backs have darker gray, vertical stripes. Their visage is more monkey-like than human-like with small green or blue eyes fixated in a furrowed squint; their faces are deep-set with a pronounced brow, long nostrils, and an over- or underbite. These bigfeet range between 150 to 200 lbs and can be up to six ft tall, with males usually being larger. On rare occasions, they can be seen walking on all fours like a gorilla, but are normally seen running on two.

DIET AND FEEDING

Woodland Crooners survive on a predominantly carnivorous diet, though they will also consume fruit, leaves, and other edible vegetation if available. They have a unique group hunting method to take down prey much larger than themselves. Each can mimic the voice of other creatures; often most, the bigfeet mimic the call of an offspring to its mother before viciously attacking all at once. Utilizing their teeth, weight, and burly fists, most prey is easily overcome. The Crooners have also been reported to imitate human calls, though the words they speak are jumbled, slurred, misspoken, or off in other ways; with their high-pitched voices, they are often mistaken for the voices of women. Another tactic the creatures use is to confuse their prey. Allowing themselves to be seen, the Crooner will run deep into the woods, checking to make sure it is being pursued. Leading the victim deeper into the woods, a second bigfoot replaces the first, surprising the prey with its proximity and position. Each of the group may do this several times, leading the victim far enough away that they cannot escape, while also confusing them. During this team effort, the troop permits only one of them to be visible to their target at a time. However, if easy prey is discovered, the creatures will hunt them down instead of carrying out more complex tactics; these quicker meals usually consist of pets and livestock, which are carried into the shadows. Woodland Crooners prefer to eat the jugular and throat first; if they have fully engorged on other prey, they may only eat this part, leaving the rest.

ACTIVITY

Woodland Crooners have an incredibly high jump; from the ground, this bigfoot can jump up tall tree branches effortlessly, gripping the bark with sharp, clawed hands. The creatures can be heard throughout the forests at night making high-pitched screeching sounds. At first, a shrill call can be heard followed by a response; the forest ambiance will deaden before the peace is once again broken by another screech in a different location.

Social Interaction, Hovels, and Hibernation

Woodland Crooners begin life in the arms of their dead mother; once she has given birth to 3 - 5 young, the bigfoot passes away. Her body is left in the branches and a single large leaf is placed upon her face. Males raise their young alone, teaching the youths how to hunt, sing, mimic others, call out to mates or friends, mark their territory, and sleep off the ground. Once offspring can jump into the trees and obtain food without assistance (at about two years of age), their father leaves the group. Brothers typically stay together until mating season, while females wander off on their own.

Woodland Crooners are very social creatures and will perform nightly calls to one another, which can vary between jarring, piercing noises and sweet, singsong melodies; most resemble bird calls. These can denote daily activities, emotions, warnings, locations, or calls for a mate. Females will usually travel with other females in groups of 3 - 4, whereas males travel in groups of 4 - 6. Although females are born more often, males have much longer lives and are predominant in the Crooner population. Groups of these bigfeet will share territory and food, groom each other, sleep in nearby trees, and even hibernate together.

During the spring, males seek out groups of females, following their nightly calls and crossing into their territorial boundaries. Groups will sing late into the night together; their combined songs are different toned and tempoed melodies, the interaction sometimes lasting several hours. Sometimes the two groups’ song flows together, while other times it is discordant. If the females like the males’ addition to their singing, they will accept their proposition of courting; but, if they do not, they will chase them out of bounds, throwing rocks and even biting stubborn individuals. Woodland Crooners will mate multiple times in a season; during the summer, they give birth. Females that do not carry offspring, will seek out a new group if no other females remain. Individuals that have lost their last group or not yet joined one will not sleep in the trees; instead, they dig a 7 ft deep tunnel, which they return to sleep within until they become part of a group.

Hibernation takes place in the winter; Woodland Crooners look for abandoned mining sites, caves, or other underground dwellings where they can fit snugly together. Like most hibernating creatures, these bigfeet pack on extra pounds in the autumn to get through the winter months. Within their domiciles, the bigfeet dig deep tunnels that widen out at the bottom; then, they crowd around one another, sleeping atop or directly beside to share warmth. Hibernation may draw several groups together; intermixed gatherings may bring about spring births. Once the ground thaws, the bigfeet leave their underground hovels, returning to daily living. At this time, members may leave one group for another and mating season begins. Some males may not let others into the group before mating season, as their poor/subpar vocal abilities may hinder the group’s efforts to attract potential female mates.

Territory Markers: Woodland Crooner Art

When a Crooner claims a section of forest for their group, they will mark the perimeters with 3 - 6 distinct constructions made and decorated with bones, feathers, hides, wood, stones, flowers (fresh or dry), pine cones, other plant material, and/or found items. These structures are scented with every member of the group’s musk; their scent drives away many predators and other, lesser creatures. Sometimes the bigfeet will also take things marked by other, more fearsome bigfoot species or beasts and add them to their sculptures, warding away even more enemies. These unique territory markers display creativity and craft that is absent from most other bigfoot cultures.

TOURISTRY

Woodland Crooners should only be observed from a distance; trackers should never follow a Crooner’s call. If one of these bigfeet are met within the forest, individuals should go in the opposite direction of the sounds. If calls are heard within the forest, head towards a clearing where the bigfeet do not have as much of an advantage.