October seems to be the perfect time for creatures of all kinds, but particularly those off the beaten path. Cryptozoology deals with and studies such creatures, those whose existence has yet to be proven conclusively, things like the Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabra, and, of course, Bigfoot. These animals, dubbed “cryptids” have all had their fair share of sightings, but in the United States, there’s one who seems to get in its steps more than any other.

Legends surrounding a large, human-like creature traipsing around the woods of North America have been around for at least 1,000 years, if not longer. These legends paint the creature sometimes as a threat, other times as a benevolent, if not antisocial force. The consistency, however, was the immense size of the creature, and its being covered in thick, often matted and messy hair. 

It wasn’t until 1958, however, that the beast got the nickname so many know it by today: Bigfoot. This occurred when Jerry Crew, a worker in a logging operation in Humboldt County, California discovered 16-inch footprints near the worksite. Except for the immense size, they looked strikingly human, with five toes. Whenever something odd happened in the logging camp, the workers began blaming it on the “Bigfoot,” which has since become conflated with the legends of the large hairy human-like figure.

Although the footprints turned out to be a hoax, as admitted in 2002, the name has proved to have sticking power, and despite the other monikers like Sasquatch, the skunk ape, momo and others, Bigfoot rings familiar to most. Maps of Bigfoot sightings show a creature with incredible range, with sightings in most, if not all the continental United States, and major concentrations in the Pacific Northwest, and Pennsylvania.

But what about Utah? Has Bigfoot ever made a track in the Beehive State, and more particularly, Davis County? According to entries made on the Bigfoot Researchers Organization website, there have only been five sightings of Bigfoot in Davis County that people have actually come forward to relate. 

The first happened in 1977 and tells the story of a bowhunter in Farmington Canyon. The anonymous report relates that the hunter heard an unknown growl coming from the undergrowth near his path on his way back to the hunting camp. Being an experienced hunter, familiar with most growling wildlife, the hunter was startled by the unknown sound and was again disturbed when, later that night, a dog brought by one of the other hunters began growling and barking at the same noise, this time, outside their tent. 

The second account occurred in 2004 and involved three eyewitnesses. According to the account, all three witnesses were in a truck on Skyline Drive in Bountiful. Although it was nighttime, there was a bright moon out, and the driver saw an unidentified animal off to the side of the road. Not wanting to hit it if it bolted, he slowed and turned on his brights. All three watched as the animal rose to two feet, and ran up a steep mountainside nearby. 

The other three sightings were attributed to media and newspaper reports at the time of the sightings, in 1996 and 1980 respectively. But what about more recently? Has Bigfoot left Utah for good? The most compelling photos and video recordings have been from as recent as 5-10 years ago, but, sightings have still been reported as recently as last year, so who knows? Maybe Bigfoot is still around, keeping the Wasatch Range in check. 

One thing is certain, believers in Bigfoot will keep believing, skeptics will keep being skeptical, but the sightings will likely continue. It’s also likely if Bigfoot is indeed out there, he (or she) may be more benevolent than malicious, as the records of sightings without incident are far more numerous than those in which the creature attacks. Besides, isn’t it a bit nicer to imagine a benevolent and protective spirit of the forest?