Essay: Proving the Reality of Tree Knocking in Bigfoot Behavior – A Case Study from the Ocala National Forest (BFRO Report #37275)

Essay: Proving the Reality of Tree Knocking in Bigfoot Behavior – A Case Study from the Ocala National Forest (BFRO Report #37275) In the vast, shadowy wilderness of Florida's Ocala National Forest, a remarkable eyewitness encounter documented in BFRO Report #37275 provides compelling evidence supporting one of the most controversial and enduring claims in Bigfoot research: that Sasquatch individuals engage in deliberate, intelligent tree knocking using tools. This Class A sighting, which occurred on November 11, 2012, goes beyond anecdotal sound recordings or ambiguous vocalizations. It delivers an eyewitness account of a physical act—undeniably visual, undeniably deliberate—that supports the notion that tree knocking is not a myth, not a misunderstanding of chest thumping or rock clacking, but rather a purposeful behavior enacted by a large, bipedal primate holding and striking a tree with a stick. Context and Setting

The witness, alone in a remote part of the Ocala National Forest near Altoona, Florida, became temporarily stranded while trail riding in a Jeep. Stuck in a mud hole for several hours, he had no choice but to wait for rescue. In that still, isolated environment, far from the presence of other vehicles or hikers, he first heard the rhythmic sound of something solid striking wood—"the sound of someone hitting something against a tree," as he put it. Drawn by curiosity and a sense of unease, the man ventured 300 yards from his disabled vehicle toward the source of the noise. The forest in this region is a mosaic of marshy wetlands, pine flats, berry patches, and young regrowth—a landscape that allows for concealment, feeding, and bedding for large wildlife. Yet what he discovered in the clearing near Squirrel’s Nest Meadow was not a hunter or hiker, but something entirely unexpected. Visual Confirmation of Tree Knocking Behavior As he approached, the man saw what appeared at first to be a very large person in a ghillie suit striking a pine tree with a large stick. However, as he drew closer, it became unmistakably clear that this was not a human in camouflage. This was a massive, upright, hair-covered creature—approximately 8 feet tall even in a slouched position—with a broad chest (estimated at 60 inches), powerful limbs, and proportionally shorter legs. The coloration was reddish-brown with some grey; the hair was shorter on the back, calves, and face, while the head had a slight sagittal crest, consistent with other Sasquatch descriptions. Crucially, the creature was observed clearly using a stick—held in one hand—to strike a pine tree deliberately. This is not a behavior one would associate with bears, deer, or even humans in this context, especially not in such a remote location and without any accompanying vehicle noise or hunting sounds. This act of tool use rules out the theory proposed by some skeptics that Sasquatch tree knocks are merely the result of chest beating, clapping, or rock smashing. Instead, it confirms that the creature was engaging in an intentional act using a detached implement. The witness's visual corroboration of this behavior elevates the claim beyond speculative audio interpretation and into the realm of ethological evidence. Behavioral Response and Departure When the observer inadvertently stepped on a branch, the creature responded immediately, turning its entire upper body toward him. This full-torso rotation, rather than a simple head movement, suggests heightened awareness and muscular control—another trait seen in primates with forward-facing eyes and deliberate movement patterns. Upon noticing the human, the creature did not panic or flail; it turned and fled smoothly, carrying the stick with it as it moved with astonishing speed and fluidity. The witness noted that the Sasquatch "almost seemed to glide through the forest with very little effort" and did not crash through the underbrush like a startled bear. Its exit was silent, graceful, and efficient—hallmarks of a creature deeply attuned to its environment. This silent retreat stands in stark contrast to known animal behavior in the region. A startled bear, for instance, would crash through brush and saplings, often making significant noise. The Sasquatch, by contrast, moved bipedally and with poise, avoiding detection in an environment that should have betrayed its escape. This lends further credibility to claims that Sasquatch individuals are not only intelligent but capable of stealthy locomotion, especially in familiar terrain. Environmental Sign and Supporting Evidence Beyond the visual confirmation of tree knocking, the witness also noted the presence of other environmental indicators often associated with Bigfoot habitation: several saplings broken off at the 7-foot level and what appeared to be a ground nest surrounded by scattered acorns. These details are significant, as they align with observed signs in other Sasquatch reports from across North America—ranging from Washington and British Columbia to the Appalachian foothills—where nest-like structures and mid-level tree breaks are frequently cited. The presence of acorns also suggests foraging activity. Many researchers believe that acorns and berries are staple food sources for Sasquatch during fall months. The accumulation of these resources around what appears to be a bedding area strengthens the case for the area being actively used by a large, forest-dwelling primate. Implications for Sasquatch Research This eyewitness account, investigated and verified by BFRO researcher David Bakara, provides one of the clearest visual confirmations to date of an often-reported but rarely seen behavior: Sasquatch tree knocking. Importantly, it isolates the behavior from other sound-producing explanations and confirms the use of a tool—held, lifted, and struck—by a creature with the size, anatomy, and intelligence to do so. For decades, researchers have speculated that Bigfoot uses tree knocks to communicate—whether for territorial warnings, long-distance signaling, or group coordination. This account transforms tree knocking from folklore into observable behavior, and shifts the discussion from the realm of audio speculation to visual evidence. It not only validates thousands of audio knock recordings but opens up new avenues for understanding Sasquatch communication, territory marking, and tool use. Conclusion Report #37275 from Marion County, Florida is more than just another sighting. It stands as a rare, pivotal moment in Bigfoot research—when a solitary man, stuck and alone in the woods at dusk, stumbled upon an 8-foot bipedal creature engaging in intelligent behavior with a tool in its hand. In doing so, he provided the Bigfoot research community with something it has long needed: proof of purpose. The creature seen that evening was not just existing in the woods—it was interacting with its environment in a way that demands we reconsider what we believe about the capabilities and communication of these elusive beings. Tree knocking is real. And in the piney dusk of the Ocala National Forest, someone saw it happen