Ohio Bigfoot Flap of 1980: Five Eyewitness Accounts and Investigations

In the world of Bigfoot sightings, the state of Ohio has had its fair share of intriguing encounters. One such incident, known as the Logan and Union counties Ohio Bigfoot flap of 1980, is particularly fascinating. This wave of sightings occurred in June 1980 and involved several individuals who claimed to have seen a large, hair-covered creature in the area. Patrick Polling, a farmer from Union County, had the first reported sighting on June 17th. While cultivating his corn, he noticed the humanoid creature emerge from the woods and walk along the edge of the trees. Polling described the being as being about seven feet tall, covered in black hair, and having a unique way of walking with its knees slightly bent and hands held out palms up. The next day, his neighbor, Donald Matthews, discovered large footprints near Polling's property and made a plaster cast of one, which measured 18 inches long and seven inches wide. Two days later, on June 19th, 17-year-old Thomas Quay reported his sighting. He saw the creature at the edge of the woods, about 120 yards away, and described it as being 9 to 10 feet tall, black, and hairy with little to no neck. Quay's father, Ray Quay, also had a sighting that same night while unloading pigs in his barn. He described the creature as being big and hairy, with an overpowering odor similar to Limburger cheese on a hot muffler. Donna Riegler, a legal secretary, had her encounter on Tuesday, June 24th. While driving home, she saw a figure lying on the road and initially thought it was a big dog or a man. As she got closer, she realized that it was a large, hair-covered creature standing upright with its knees bent and hands held out palms up. Riegler was so frightened that she quickly reversed her car and drove away. The final reported encounter came on Thursday, June 26th, by Larry Ramey. While working on a tractor in Logan County, Ramey saw the creature emerge from the woods and approach his tractor. He described it as being more than seven feet tall, with long hair, broad shoulders, and a well-proportioned body. These sightings sparked a wave of interest in the area, with hundreds of people driving around the country roads looking for the creature. Law enforcement became concerned about the dangerous situation this created, as some of the searchers were armed. Despite this, a group of experienced researchers, including Barbara Bailinovich, Leon and Betty Parks, Tom Archer, John and Bruce Rickowski, and the mammal research team from Lima Ohio, arrived in the area to investigate. The Lima research team reportedly found and took measurements and a cast of three claw marks, which were about 40 inches apart and had four toes. This sighting flap was just one part of the larger Bigfoot citing increase in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some researchers believing that this increased activity was the result of an Eastward movement of Bigfoot from the West Coast due to the eruption of Mount St. Helens. To sum up, the Logan and Union counties Ohio Bigfoot flap of 1980 is a fascinating and intriguing chapter in the world of Bigfoot sightings. The detailed descriptions provided by the witnesses offer a unique insight into the possible characteristics of this elusive creature. Whether you're a seasoned Bigfoot researcher or simply a curious observer, these stories are sure to leave you captivated and intrigued. If you have had a sighting or encounter, please consider sharing your story with us. We would love to hear from you and learn more about your experience. And don't forget to check out the video that inspired this article for even more details on this captivating Bigfoot flap.