Wisconsin draws countless seekers with its whispers of hidden giants roaming the shadowed groves and misty marshes. Bigfoot sightings in Wisconsin weave through generations, blending ancient lore with fresh accounts from everyday folks. These tales paint a picture of a secretive, towering presence that stirs both wonder and unease among residents and visitors alike.
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Wisconsin Bigfoot Sightings
Wisconsin harbors a rich tapestry of Bigfoot sightings, with clusters emerging in the vast Northwoods and along winding waterways like the Flambeau and Manitowish. Encounters often depict a hulking, fur-covered biped emitting a foul, musky aroma, mirroring age-old Sasquatch descriptions. Wisconsin Bigfoot sightings unfold in diverse settings, from secluded campsites to highway edges, igniting curiosity about cryptid habitats in the Badger State’s untamed expanses.
Reports trace back to the 1800s, escalating in frequency through modern times, fueled by dedicated trackers and casual observers. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization catalogs numerous incidents, highlighting patterns in forested counties where dense foliage and abundant wildlife offer ideal cover. Seasonal peaks appear in fall and summer, coinciding with heightened human activity in remote areas.
The table below assembles documented Bigfoot sightings in Wisconsin, drawn from historical logs, eyewitness narratives, and investigative archives:
| Date | Witness | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1867 | Anonymous logger | Rhinelander area, Oneida County | Observed a tall, hairy humanoid traversing a logging trail; noted oversized footprints in soft earth, creature exhibited a shambling walk. |
| 1936 | Anonymous | Elkhorn, Walworth County | Spotted a wolf-like bipedal entity, later tied to Beast of Bray Road lore; creature stood upright with glowing eyes, prowled rural roads. |
| 1964 | Anonymous | Near Delavan Lake, Walworth County | Encountered a large, hairy figure near the water; it emitted grunts and retreated into thickets, leaving a trail of disturbed vegetation. |
| 1972 | Anonymous | Holy Hill area, Washington County | Saw a massive, dark silhouette crossing fields at dusk; accompanied by unusual howls echoing through the hills. |
| 1976 | Anonymous farmer | Cashton, Monroe County | Viewed a putrid-smelling, apelike being from 60 feet; dog approached and fell ill afterward, creature lumbered away into cornfields. |
| 1979 | Anonymous | Langlade County, near Pelican Lake | Morning glimpse of a dark biped by the lakeshore; it growled lowly before vanishing into woods, 16-inch tracks discovered nearby. |
| 1981 | Anonymous couple | Marinette County, near Marinette | Noted a brown-furred giant strolling in a roadside ditch; estimated eight feet tall, strode purposefully without acknowledging the car. |
| 1990 | Anonymous | George Lake, Oneida County | Nighttime sighting of a broad-shouldered entity by the lake; no distinct neck, slipped silently into underbrush upon detection. |
| 1992 | Anonymous hunters | Marinette County | Found tracks leading to a peering creature behind trees; pungent odor present, eyes reflected light before it fled. |
| 1997 | Anonymous hunter | Price County | Watched a shaggy, upright figure shuffle through mist; about 7.5 feet, paused to stare back then melted into the haze. |
| 1997 | Newspaper account | Barron County | Discovered 18-inch snow prints; locals reported hairy form and eerie calls at twilight in adjacent woodlands. |
| 1998 | Anonymous | Whitehall area, Trempealeau County | Driving sighting of a hairy child-like figure dropping from a tree and scrambling up a ravine. |
| 2000 | Property owner | Bayfield County, near Hayward | Initial encounter in a series; saw large shadows and heard branch breaks near the property line. |
| 2001 | Anonymous bow hunter | Spring Valley, Fillmore County border | Spotted glowing red eyes nine feet high in predawn; repeated a week later in the same spot. |
| 2002 | Anonymous motorists | Price County, Hwy 182 east of Park Falls | Daylight road crossing by a black-furred muscular being; over eight feet, glanced at vehicle then entered forest. |
| 2002 | Family campers | Spring Valley area | Observed a seven-foot reddish-brown entity; found 18-inch prints in creek bed, heard screams overnight. |
| 2003 | Anonymous | Hatfield, Jackson County | Early morning highway crossing by a seven-foot dark brown figure walking upright. |
| 2005 | Anonymous squirrel hunter | Spring Valley | Saw black and brown creatures, eight feet tall, rushing through brush; followed to swamp edge but retreated in fear. |
| 2005 | Anonymous | Near Hatfield | Large dark brown figure crossing road at 2 a.m., seven feet tall, upright posture. |
| 2006 | Anonymous | Spring Valley | Multiple family incidents including screams and heavy footsteps through campsite. |
| 2008 | Anonymous | Door County, south of Sturgeon Bay | Possible encounter with a rural resident spotting a tall figure; paranormal elements noted. |
| 2009 | Anonymous | Dane County, near Madison | Heard wood knocks on trails; saw tall shadow paralleling path, branches snapped heavily. |
| 2011 | Anonymous angler | Barron County, Waterman Lake | Daytime emergence from reeds; stood bipedally, observed briefly then waded away with splashes. |
| 2011 | Anonymous | Oneida County | Upright reddish-brown form in woods; broad build, whooped then strode off, partial prints in soil. |
| 2012 | Craig Sulk | Menominee area, near Wisconsin border | Trail camera captured ambiguous bipedal figure; led to further investigations and community sharing. |
| 2012 | Paranormal group member | Oak Creek, Milwaukee County | Heard snorts and deer kill sounds; saw eye shine above fields, no evidence found next day. |
| 2013 | Family | Vilas County | Found large footprints near home; hairy watcher from treeline, deep calls through the night. |
| 2013 | Anonymous motorist | Langlade County, outside Antigo | Grayish furred creature crossed road in headlights; seven feet, loped into farmland quietly. |
| 2013 | Fishermen | Near Phillips, Price County | Daybreak sighting while driving; detailed in follow-up as credible by investigators. |
| 2013 | Property owner | Bayfield County, near Hayward | Saw silver-grey giant 9-10 feet during hunt; later peeked into cabin window, casting huge shadow. |
| 2016 | Anonymous students | Dane County, Madison trails | Dusk shadow with glowing eyes on campus paths; swift movement, broken branches left behind. |
| 2017 | Anonymous | Iron County, NE of Mercer | Repeated wood knocks; rocked trees and ground impressions suggested large observer. |
| 2018 | Retired police officer | Marinette County, near Pembine | Highway crossing by dark brown hairy being; massive build, stood still then retreated. |
| 2018 | Anonymous | Sawyer County, Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest | Rock throwing at campsite; stones hurled from treeline, shadowy figure circled at night. |
| 2019 | Anonymous camper | Sawyer County, near Loretta | Rocks pelted camper at night; rustling preceded, rock found in hammock next morning. |
| 2019 | Anonymous motorists | Oneida County, South Turcott Road north of Tripoli | Over eight feet black hairy crosser; slow pace, arms low, into undergrowth. |
| 2021 | Duck hunter | Vilas County, near Lac Du Flambeau | Bipedal bulky form in marsh; deliberate steps, captured distantly on media. |
| 2021 | Anonymous | Washington County, near Richfield | Teen driver spotted dark hairy creature on highway; July 18 encounter. |
| 2022 | Anonymous | Sawyer County, southeast of Duluth | Whoops and branch breaks from forest; signaling suggested. |
| 2023 | Anonymous | Oconto County | Reddish furred forager stood upright then bolted; 15-inch prints remained. |
| 2023 | Anonymous motorist | Ashland County, county road south of Ashland | Dark furred road crosser; broad shoulders, into marsh. |
| 2024 | Anonymous | Undisclosed northern location | Unusual tracks in snow; led to rural Bigfoot speculation. |
| 2024 | Anonymous | Near Beecher | Lurking hairy figure with eye shine and growls; into vegetation. |
| 2024 | Anonymous | Lake cabin, undisclosed | Glowing eyes and heavy breathing near cabin at night. |
| 2025 | Anonymous | Chilton, Calumet County | Black eight-foot creature crossed road; wood knocks heard, footprints viewed. |
| 2025 | Multiple locals | Northwoods counties (Price, Oneida, Vilas) | Vocalizations, tracks, and glimpses in forests; tree knocks during outings. |
This compilation captures the breadth of Wisconsin Bigfoot sightings, revealing hotspots in counties like Marinette, Price, and Vilas. Patterns emerge in environments rich with swamps, ridges, and thickets, where creatures seemingly forage and observe undetected. Many accounts mention sensory cues like odors resembling rotten fruit or wet dog, alongside physical traces such as twisted saplings or woven branches forming arches.
Sightings often spike near water bodies, suggesting aquatic resources play a role in sustenance. Witnesses range from hunters familiar with wildlife to urban visitors startled by anomalies. These narratives fuel debates on misidentification versus genuine phenomena, with some linking to Native American legends of wild men or spirit guardians.
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Investigation Efforts in Wisconsin
Efforts to probe Bigfoot sightings in Wisconsin have evolved from solitary pursuits to organized ventures, engaging communities and employing varied methods. Local enthusiasts and formal groups alike scour the Northwoods, deploying technology and folklore to unravel the enigma.
The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization spearheads many initiatives, hosting expeditions in hotspots like the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In 2024, a June gathering near Phillips drew dozens, utilizing call blasts and thermal scanners to elicit responses. Participants documented vocalizations resembling whoops and knocks, correlating them with prior reports. Earlier, a 2021 expedition in the same area yielded footprint casts and hair samples for analysis.
Beyond this, the Cryptids, Anomalies, and the Paranormal Society, founded by Barnaby Jones, conducts statewide probes. Inspired by local encounters, they organize field trips and conventions, fostering safe spaces for witnesses. Their 2025 Appleton event featured panels on evidence collection, drawing speakers versed in habitat mapping and audio forensics.
Individual researchers like Robert Barhite, a seasoned investigator, lead private outings in counties such as Milwaukee and Price. His work includes interviewing witnesses and scouting sites for structural anomalies like nested sticks or bent trees. Barhite’s expeditions often incorporate nighttime vigils, where teams listen for territorial signals amid the rustling leaves.
Rick Reles, another key figure, focuses on long-term monitoring in Bayfield County. Over years, he has cataloged recurring activity near Hayward, using trail cameras and scent lures to attract potential subjects. His findings emphasize non-invasive techniques, respecting the creature’s elusiveness while gathering data on movement patterns.
Curt Nelson, Reid Nelson, and Brett Elliot collaborate on northern probes, blending scientific rigor with traditional knowledge. Their efforts in Iron and Ashland counties involve drone surveys over ridges and valleys, identifying corridors where sightings cluster. They also consult tribal elders for insights into ancestral stories of hairy giants.
Television programs have amplified these pursuits, with “Finding Bigfoot” filming episodes in Oconto and other counties. Crews employed decoys and amplifiers to provoke interactions, capturing ambiguous footage that sparked public interest. Such exposure led to community events like the Marinette-Menominee Bigfoot Convention, where attendees share testimonials and join guided hikes.
Podcasts such as “Monsters on the Edge” and “Untold Radio Network” interview Wisconsin investigators, discussing tactics like baiting with apples or mimicking calls. These platforms highlight collaborative networks, where amateurs contribute via apps tracking anomalies.
Local festivals in Rhinelander celebrate the Hodag but often overlap with Sasquatch lore, hosting talks on overlapping cryptids. Enthusiasts like Jay Bachochin venture solo, armed with infrared devices, to remote trails near Madison, documenting subtle signs like displaced rocks or eerie silences.
These endeavors underscore a multidisciplinary approach, merging biology, anthropology, and technology. Challenges persist, from harsh weather hindering searches to skepticism dismissing evidence. Yet, persistent activity in wetlands and highlands keeps the quest alive, with each expedition adding layers to the cryptid puzzle.
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2019 Sawyer County Rock Throwing Incident
One standout among Bigfoot sightings in Wisconsin is the June 2019 event near Loretta in Sawyer County, within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This incident involved rock throwing and apparent stalking behavior directed at a group of campers, highlighting classic Sasquatch intimidation tactics often reported in remote wooded areas.
The primary witness, a resident of Wausau with 44 years of hunting experience, had a lifelong interest in Sasquatch. Familiar with Wisconsin’s wildlife sounds, footprints, and behaviors, the witness began actively researching sightings in 2015 after discovering numerous reports in the northern third of the state, including Phillips, Prentice, and Price counties, as well as the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Alongside their husband, they explored areas off Hwy 17 near Winter, documenting findings with video and photographs. These included a possible Sasquatch print near tree bends and a small ground glyph that was later modified with additional sticks and limbs. They also photographed tree bends, breaks, and woven trees that seemed beyond human capability, returning annually to monitor changes. In summer 2018, the witness received a response to a wood knock in an isolated area without homes, roads, or trails.
Starting in 2016, the witness, their oldest sister, and daughter camped annually near Loretta for research purposes. On June 6-9, 2019, they set up in a new site at the end of the southwest row in the campground, backed by miles of wilderness. The day was uneventful during a hike in the Chequamegon, but that evening, a bear passed through the site just before dark, prompting an early retreat to bunks.
Around 10-10:30 PM, the witness heard rustling around the modified camper, which featured a deck with a zipper tent and tarp bottom. The noise suggested something fiddling with the tarp, creating a “crackle” sound, initially attributed to the bear returning. This persisted for about half an hour before stopping. The sister and daughter remained asleep.
Less than 30 minutes later, a handful of rocks hit the camper’s side, followed by three more rounds, and finally a larger rock struck the roof, awakening the sister (who wore ear plugs) and daughter. The rest of the night was quiet. At dawn, the witness expected camp destruction but found everything pristine. While dismantling, the daughter discovered a rock in her hammock, positioned behind and slightly to the side of the camper. The witness theorized it was lobbed over the hammock during the barrage, possibly bouncing off a tree. The campground was nearly empty, with only one other rig that departed the next morning.
Nearby in the Chequamegon Forest, east and north of the campground, the witness noted tree bends, twists, and the possible footprint amid structures. The rock throwing was directly experienced by the witness, with the others awakened by the noise.
Follow-up investigation by BFRO Investigator B Breedlove confirmed the witness’s credibility. The topography and food sources in the area were deemed suitable for a large creature like a Sasquatch, with numerous prior reports in North Central Wisconsin. The witness shared photos of tree structures and ground glyphs, though the footprint was less conclusive due to lacking casting material—photos alone often fail to capture needed detail.
While a bear might explain the rustling, only a Sasquatch or human possesses the opposable thumbs for hurling rocks. With minimal human presence and the risks of such pranks in a gun-permit prevalent area, human involvement seemed unlikely. This suggested territorial behavior from a Sasquatch.
Subsequent discussions and sharing of evidence have contributed to ongoing BFRO databases, encouraging further expeditions in Sawyer County. No additional physical evidence like casts emerged, but the incident aligns with patterns of rock throwing in other Wisconsin reports, prompting researchers to monitor the Chequamegon for similar activity. Local enthusiasts have since visited the campground, reporting subtle signs like wood knocks, though no direct replications occurred.
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2013 Bayfield County Property Encounters
A compelling series of Wisconsin Bigfoot sightings centers on a property near Hayward in Bayfield County, spanning years but highlighted in October 2013. The property owner documented over 30 encounters since fall 2000, involving multiple creatures displaying curiosity, vocalizations, and physical presence, underscoring a potential resident population in the area.
The owner, an experienced outdoorsman, first noted activity in 2000 on family land he knew well from childhood hunting and exploration. Nearest neighbors are about a mile away, with the property featuring ridge tops, heavy cover, a nearby river, and large marshlands ideal for foraging groups.
In October 2013, while hunting at 2 PM, the witness spotted a big silver Bigfoot at least 9-10 feet tall, less than 20 yards away. The creature seemed “busted” and almost smiled before disappearing swiftly along a trail, leaving huge impressions but no clear prints. Two weeks later, at 7:30 PM in the cabin, the witness turned toward the sink and saw one leaning down to peek in, causing neck hair to stand up. Approaching the window revealed only a gigantic shadow from the yard light.
Other incidents detailed include: In fall 2011, rough breathing in the yard preceded a sighting under the woodshed light at 7 PM. In September 2012, during a bow hunt, a silver/grey Bigfoot emerged 20 yards away from the wood line. Unaware of the hunter initially, it allowed observation for several minutes before leaving.
The witness, 6’3″ tall, gauged its height at 9’6″ and weight over 600 lbs against nearby trees. Campfires with the granddaughter and others drew peekers from behind trees, especially when children laughed, appearing curious rather than threatening. While hiking and hunting, branches and limbs broke nearby, with whistling and knocking between creatures. Screams and screeches at night were heard but hard to distinguish from local wolves.
One notable event involved “calling in” four Bigfoots to the cabin at dusk by clacking two rocks on the porch. They approached from the woods in a group; the largest screamed blood-curdlingly, making hair stand up, from 20 yards. Others were at 50 and 60 yards. Observation lasted several minutes before they retreated into a ravine.
The witness found a large “nest of sticks” on the land and set trail cameras, though no photos captured them yet. Sightings occurred at dawn, mid-day, and dusk, with some on the father’s nearby property.
Descriptions portray the Bigfoots as tall and muscular, some nearing ten feet, with no necks, broad shoulders, thinner facial hair allowing “people-like” expressions, flat noses, wide heads, and big brown eyes. Except for the silver/grey one, others were dark brown or black, with a smell like “rotten apple pie.” Sounds included whistles, knocks, and screams.
Follow-up investigation by BFRO Investigator Rick Reles involved multiple conversations, finding the witness credible with detailed, consistent experiences over time. The “calling in” event was emphasized, along with non-threatening curiosity during campfires. Reles noted the land’s suitability for Bigfoots following the river to marshes. No threats were felt, aligning with observational behavior.
Post-report, the encounters continued, contributing to BFRO’s long-term monitoring in Bayfield County. Private expeditions visited the property, documenting structures and vocalizations, though privacy limits public access. Hair samples from 2014 were analyzed but inconclusive. The case has informed habitat studies, linking to nearby reports and suggesting family groups in the region. Community events in Hayward reference it, fostering local research networks.
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2012 Milwaukee County Paranormal Activity
A notable Wisconsin Bigfoot sighting intertwined with paranormal elements occurred on September 1, 2012, off Fitzsimmons Road in Oak Creek, Milwaukee County. Members of a paranormal group encountered unusual sounds and eye shine, suggesting Sasquatch activity in an unexpectedly urban-adjacent area rumored for hauntings.
The witness, part of a paranormal investigation group, was in the woods at 10 PM with a partner. They heard three knocks, initially dismissed as pranksters.
The partner, taking photos on a park bench, heard snorts resembling a deer’s. Preparing an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) session, they heard something nearby kill a deer, sounding so close they decided to leave. As they exited, eye shine appeared above three-foot pea plants in the adjacent farm field.
Returning the next day revealed no disturbed areas, blood, body, or traces—unusual for such sounds. The witness noted the absence of sightings this low in Wisconsin but found it weird, offering to meet investigators.
The area, on Lake Michigan, serves as a dog walking park with woods and some upscale housing developments. About four miles south lie Renak-Polak Maple-Beech Woods State Natural Area, Nicholson Wildlife Refuge, and Gorney Park. Rumored haunted since the 1950s, it attracts paranormal groups.
Milwaukee County spans 1,190 square miles, with 79.70% water, bordered east by Lake Michigan. The incident site is isolated without light sources; over a hill in front of the pea field, the road is invisible, implying high-placed eyes for visibility.
Photos captured the eye shine above the growth and a daytime comparison showing the knock direction. The far southeast corner of Wisconsin, though populated, has seen increased sightings recently.
Follow-up by BFRO Investigator Robert Barhite, a native of northeast Iowa with intense Bigfoot interest, noted the area’s isolation and rising reports. Barhite, involved in multiple BFRO expeditions since 2012 (including Iowa, Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin), has conducted solo trips and lectured for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He led and assisted expeditions, scouting for future ones while monitoring Midwest study locations.
Subsequent probes by paranormal and Bigfoot groups revisited the site, reporting occasional knocks and eye shine, though no conclusive evidence like tracks emerged. The incident sparked discussions on urban-fringe Sasquatch, linking to nearby natural areas as corridors.
Barhite’s ongoing Midwest studies incorporate it, with community reports of similar anomalies post-2012, though density limits frequent investigations. It highlights overlaps between paranormal and cryptid phenomena in Wisconsin.
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Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s cryptid landscape extends beyond Bigfoot, encompassing a menagerie of enigmatic beings that haunt its folklore and frontiers. These otherworldly entities often share terrains with Sasquatch reports, prompting speculation on interconnected mysteries.
The Beast of Bray Road, a lupine humanoid, terrorizes Walworth County since 1936, with peaks in the 1990s near Elkhorn. Witnesses recount a seven-foot canine biped with piercing yellow eyes, charging vehicles on foggy lanes like Bray Road.
The Hodag, a spiky lizard-ox hybrid, originates from 1890s Rhinelander hoaxes in Oneida County but endures in swamp tales, described as ferocious with dorsal spines.
Aquatic enigmas include Bozho, a horse-headed serpent in Lake Mendota, Madison, surfacing since the 1890s to capsize vessels. Pepie, an elongated eel, lurks in Lake Pepin, Pepin County, from 1800s Native lore to current ripples. Rocky, a colossal sharp-toothed turtle, emerges in Lake Geneva, Walworth County, overturning boats since the early 1900s.
The Monster of ’76, a bearish aggressor, ravaged livestock in 1976 near St. Colletta’s, Jefferson County. Wendigo, an emaciated antlered cannibal, echoes in Ashland County’s winter howls, rooted in tribal myths since the 1800s.
Unexplained phenomena amplify the intrigue: UFO disks in 1970s Elmwood and 1980s Belleville, with abduction claims. Ghostly brides haunt Stevens Point’s Bloody Bride Bridge since the 1900s. Poltergeists rattled Appleton homes in the 1950s, hurling objects inexplicably.
Links to Bigfoot? Bray Road beasts sometimes blur into hairy bipeds, possibly misidentified Sasquatch. Wendigo’s forest cries mimic Bigfoot vocalizations. Lake cryptids overlap with shoreline sightings, hinting at shared ecosystems. Northern clusters suggest a nexus of anomalies, perhaps tied to ley lines or portals in the Driftless Area.
This mosaic of marvels enriches Wisconsin’s supernatural saga, where Bigfoot stands as one thread in a vast, veiled web.
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Conclusion
Bigfoot sightings in Wisconsin persist as a captivating chronicle, merging pioneer anecdotes with today’s thermal captures and track finds. The Northwoods’ labyrinthine landscapes nurture these legends, inviting explorers to ponder the boundaries between myth and reality. Each report adds nuance to the Sasquatch enigma, sustaining a legacy of awe.
Skeptics attribute encounters to bears or hoaxes, yet the volume and consistency challenge easy dismissals. Wisconsin Bigfoot sightings inspire investigations that bridge science and storytelling, uniting communities in pursuit of the unknown. Whether elusive primate or cultural icon, the creature embodies the thrill of discovery.
In the end, Wisconsin’s wilds whisper secrets of cryptids and curiosities, urging us to venture deeper into the fog-shrouded realms where wonders await.
