BFRO #59858: Multiple witnesses, daylight sighting, Hopkins Prairie, Ocala NF, next to Florida Trail

📍 Location

📝 Description

We were driving two jeeps through the forest, driving along the inner perimeter road of Hopkins Prairie. We saw a structure in the distance and wanted to know what it was. Found what appeared to be a concrete boat ramp in the middle of the Prairie. We didn't know the name of where we were until till we started to leave. Looking across the prairie towards the campground (which we also didn't know was there) when appeared this large creature at about 100 to 150 yards away. We just stood there not saying a word at first. I remember saying to myself "look at those shoulders". It was moving around the edge of the campground right where the grass for the prairie starts. I wear glasses and I had them on so I could see but not as well as the others. I do remember it was just kind of walking in a small area like it was trying to decide what it was going to do and I remember its arms were long just down by its side and swaying. I don't think it saw us. It turned and walked up into the campground and disappeared. We drove over to the camp ground still not knowing it was a campground to look around. The campground was closed so we went around the fence. We went to where we saw it and noticed a footprint in the wet ground. We also noticed spots where it walked through the tall grass. My nephew tried to step out the places it appeared to step but the stride was to wide for him. We didn't see anyone at the campground, and it appeared that no one had been to the campground. On the way in to the prairie and before the sighting we saw an abundance of wildlife which I thought was odd. We saw turkey, deer, panther tracks (which we have a picture of) and on the way out after the sighting we saw a black bear that we took video of. All of these animals except for the bear we saw within a matter of minutes of each other. When we saw the creature we just stood there, didn't reach for cameras. I never even thought to take of picture but we did take pictures of the other animals. Mt sister in law said it was reddish brow in color.

🔍 Circumstances

there were 4 witnesses myself, my son, nephew and sister in law

🌤️ Weather Conditions

It was Afternoon

ℹ️ Additional Details

It was Afternoon

🔗 Sources (1)

👥 Community Contributions

Help improve this case by adding notes, observations, theories, or tags. Your contributions help the community understand patterns and connections.