Dorraine: When was this encounter?

Kevin: It was on October 3, 1995, around 10 A.M.

Dorraine: And where did this take place?

Kevin: It happened on Siskiyou National Forest land just outside of Grants Pass in southern Oregon.

Dorraine: And what kind of terrain is it in that area?

Kevin: I’m not quite sure how to describe it. Its really rugged forest land in the mountains.

Dorraine: Okay, describe the events leading up to the encounter.

Kevin: I had driven up Mt. Peavine (Merlin/Galice area) to go deer hunting. I reached a locked gate about three miles from the area where I usually hunt. The sun was coming up by the time I started up the road so I was in full hunt mode. I spotted a small group of deer with one buck in the group but was not able to get a shot so I began trying to move closer. I seemed to keep pushing them without being able to ever get clean shot on him. I tracked them around most of the morning. By this time it was late morning just after 10 A.M. The daytime temps were still very warm but I was bundled up for the early morning cold. Thinking the deer would be bedding down, I made my way to a clear cut and found a nice tree stump to sit on. I shed some layers and was enjoying the warm sun. I had been sitting there for about 20 minutes or so when some movement to my right caught my eye.

Dorraine: And what caught your eye?

Kevin:  At a distance of about 60 yards coming out of a draw of trees I saw a large, maybe 7+ foot tall, obviously female Sasquatch walk into the clear cut. A second or two later, just behind her was a very lanky, almost skinny looking juvenile about 3 and a half or 4 feet tall.

Dorraine: Did they see you at that time?

Kevin: For a few seconds they walked in to the clear cut without seeing me.

Dorraine: What were they doing?

Kevin: The little one was really hopping and playing around behind the female, his elbows were raised and he was planting his heels with every deliberate step. The adult saw me, and for a second looked me right in the eyes. I immediately broke eye contact as I was terrified and did not want to provoke her.

Dorraine: What did they do when they saw you?

Kevin:  The female turned her upper body back toward the small one while still walking. The little one immediately went to a hurried walk and was looking around very alertly as if mom had warned him of me. She the turned her focus back to me and put herself between me and the small one. They walked diagonally in front of me crossing the clear cut area.

Dorraine: How far away do you suppose they were?
Kevin: At one point they were no more than 35 yards in front of me.

Dorraine: Can you describe them a little better to me? What color were they?

Kevin: The large one had dark, almost black hair that looked smooth and groomed compared to the little one who had lighter brown hair that was very shaggy looking. The larger one had dark eyes with no whites visible, hair was smooth in appearance and had a shine where the sun hit it. Her nose was fairly flat and her lips seemed thin. She had less hair on her face but looked like she had a three day beard. (Laugh)

Dorraine: Can you describe the juvenile a little better?

Kevin: It was very skinny looking compared to the large one. Also its walk was far less graceful. Almost awkward.  I have to say also he was very cute and endearing. Awkward but cute.

Dorraine: Did you see its face very clearly? Did it look like a chimp’s face?

Kevin: More human looking.  It looked like a dirty or dark skinned kid that never combed his hair or bathed. I couldn't tell if it was male or female but I've always felt it was a boy.

Dorraine: I think it’s interesting when you were talking about their movement and you described the juvenile, it sounded a lot like how a child might goof around. Is that what it looked like?

Kevin: That's exactly what it seemed like to me.

Dorraine: Did you see them do anything else after that?

Kevin:  They walked up to the road.  The little one entered the trees on the other side, the female stopped, turned completely around to face me, stood there for just a second then turned and followed the little one in to the trees and brush. Then within just a second they were out of my sight.

Dorraine: How were you feeling at this point? What were you thinking?

Kevin: I was afraid to even breathe when I saw them. I had my rifle across my lap the whole time but had no thoughts of raising it. After they left my sight I became even more scared. I ducked down behind the stump I was on. I then raised my rifle pointing in the direction I had last seen them. I stayed in that position for about 30 min or so, totally terrified. Every twig snap, squirrel bark, and bird flutter nearly gave me a heart attack.

Dorraine: So how long do you think this whole encounter lasted?

Kevin: Only around 30 seconds or so, but it felt like an eternity. I was frozen in fear! I finally made my way out of the area and back to my vehicle.

Dorraine: Did you ever hear them make any sounds?

Kevin: I didn’t hear any vocalizations.

Dorraine: Did you ever look for or see any tracks?

Kevin: Oh yes. I wish I had known to cast tracks. They were very clear tracks in red clay soil that was fairly soft.

Dorraine: Did you notice anything else?

Kevin:  I noticed from the tracks that the small ones feet were almost as wide as they were long.

Dorraine  What did you do in the days and weeks after the encounter? Did you tell anyone/ alert authorities?

Kevin: I told my wife right afterward, and my neighbor (a friend) the next day, but I never reported it to any officials. I kept it to myself for a few months till I met a couple of researchers who listened to my story. 

Dorraine: As you’re looking back on the whole encounter, how much danger do you believe you were really in, given you were making no move toward the creatures?

Kevin:  I was impressed by her size. She didn't seem aggressive but I sure wasn't going to push my luck. I'm not sure if it was because she was seeing me, but her expression was one of surprise. Hard to describe really. 

Dorraine:  And how do you feel about it all now?  Have you had any additional thoughts, or developed any new philosophies?

Kevin:  Not really, but the whole experience changed me and has shaped who I am today. Just sharing this story from almost 17 years ago puts me right back there as if it just happened. It was, is and without a doubt will always be the most amazing thing I've ever seen!