Hunting the Werewolf Hunter – Interview with Linda Godfrey
Werewolves are beings that belong in legends and Hollywood films like “The Howling” or “An American Werewolf in London”. When we think of Werewolves we think of full Moons, sliver bullets and shape-shifting humans with a thirst for human flesh. Located somewhere in a European forest or in wood carvings from the middle ages; but not in Wisconsin. Not in some farmland in the northern U.S.
Native Americans have always believed in the magic of shape-shifting. Where a human could magically morph into an animal to take on it’s powers, SkinWalkers, as they are more commonly known. This has been in Native American folklore for centuries. Tales of humans morphing into wolfs, bears, cats and other predatory animals are common along tribes in Northern America.
What has been reported in recent times in the Northern part of the United States is something that does not truly belong to the Native American folklore. Accounts of a dog/man like creature or “Werewolf” have been reported for years in Wisconsin. Even as recently as a few years ago. Who is reporting this? Who are the witnesses? and what do the reports conclude? In this article, I present you with the answers to those questions and an attempt at getting closer to the mystery. The belief in “Werewolves” is left to you, the readers, and your interpretation of facts and believes. As a writer for GhostTheory, my passion is the chase of the mystery.
Lycanthropy, or “Clinical lycanthropy”, is a psychiatric syndrome in which a person has delusions in which they believe to be able to transform into an animal or that they are an animal. The legend of the modern day Werewolf comes from people who suffered from Lycanthropy. Either a self-proclaimed Werewolf (mental instability or torture) or that of being accused (witch & werewolf trials of the early century) As far as we know, during the 1500s was when the “Werewolf hysteria” was at it’s strongest. People living in remote areas in Europe had more frequent encounters with wolves. Fear of these predatory animals and mass hysteria helped fuel the infamous Werewolf Trials of the 16th century. It is highly speculated that these accusations of being a Werewolf could have been started by a simple fungus. Ergot. Ergot is a fungus that was common at that time. Attacking food grains like wheat and rye which was a staple source of food in the European way of life. Ergot affected grains and breads that were usually stored in wet and cold places, causing LSD like effects when ingested. The effects of Ergot range from hallucinations, seizures to hysteria and paranoia.
We can see how easy it would be for a person to be under the influence of heavy doses of Ergot and act out in a animal-like behavior to be considered some form of a lycanthrope.
An 18th century engraving, conveying that weapons used against vampires (wooden stakes and rosaries) are useless against werewolves [Wikipedia]
Fast forward a few hundred years to rural Wisconsin.
There’s been hundreds of reports about a bipedal dog-like creature lurking around the farmlands and roads of Wisconsin. Enough reports to catch the eye of the Delavan-based newspaper “The Week”. Staff journalist Linda Godfrey was assigned to investigate these reports. Linda, being skeptical, approached the assignment as any skeptic would, assuming that what the witnesses were seeing was either a wolf or a dog. Or some hybrid of the two. Little did she know that after interviewing hundreds of witnesses her own belief in the creature was to be questioned.
Linda Godfrey has interviewed several credible witnesses (I say credible since these are men and women with good reputations and in no way looking for any attention and wish to remain anonymous) as well as several credulous witnesses. Her reports are consistent in nature. Every witness describes the creature as a 6-7 foot bipedal creature that is hunched over with characteristics of that of a dog.
Her investigation focused on a lonely stretch of road, named Bray road, where the creature was mostly seen at. The accounts there have inspired a nickname for the creature. “The Beast of Bray Road”.
Ghost Theory has an exclusive interview with Linda Godfrey:
1. First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking some time from your busy schedule to answer a few questions for GhostTheory.
(a) When you first started reporting on the Bray Road beast, did you believe this was a true creature?Linda: I thought it was probably a dog or dog/wolf hybrid
(b) What made you change your opinion
Linda: the dozens (now hundreds) of sober eyewitness accounts describing a creature that did things normal wolves or dogs would not
2. What are the most compelling eyewitnesses/testimonies you have encountered during your years following this legend?
Linda: I’d rather people just read the books and judge for themselves. I do think the Georgia creature in Hunting the American Werewolf is a very credible account, includes a footprint sketch and was by a very credible businessperson whom I’ve interviewed at great length.
3. In your latest book, what new updates do you have for us in regards to the Bray Road beast?
Linda: It has not gone away, is very widespread, and is sometimes seen in small groups.
4. Are you familiar with the Gable Film? and what is your relationship with Steve Cook?
Linda: Yes, I’m familiar with it. Steve Cook and I have been acquainted since 1992 when my original report on the Beast of Bray Road went public and he saw it on TV and recognized it as the same animal as the Michigan Dog Man, and then contacted me. We have corresponded since then, and I met him one time in Traverse City while on location with the History Channel.
5. Have you studied the film and do you believe Mr. Cook to be telling the truth about him finding the film and not wanting to profit from this?
Linda: Yes and yes
6. What is your opinion about the film?
Linda: I believe it is at least several decades old as his experts have ascertained based on technical analysis, and that it shows an animal doing very strange things. It also, at one point, jumps off the ground with all four feet which is something a human in a suit could not do. I don’t think it shows enough of the creature to conclude it is the Dog Man, however.
7. How big is “Bray Road” and why hasn’t anyone setup trail-cams or look-out posts? have they?
Linda: It’s about two miles long, a fairly busy road and is all private property and farmland. The people who live on that road don’t appreciate all the attention and are not anxious to “prove” anything lives there. Besides, this is only ONE of a myriad of hotspots in Wisconsin, and there are more in Michigan, other states and even other countries. It is NOT the only place the creature resides or is seen….that the beast lives only on Bray Road, as if it had an address there, is the most common misconception people have. It’s been seen much more often east and south of Lake Geneva in the past five years or so.
The film that I asked Linda about is the infamous Gable Film. A film that shows what many consider the “Dogman” of Michigan. Not to be confused with the “Bray road Beast” of Wisconsin.
The Michigan “Dogman” has it’s history deeply rooted in an elaborate hoax. The story is that a Michigan DJ by the name of Steve Cook, created a poem and song about a fictional monster in Michigan dubbed the “Dogman”. This was to be an April’s fools prank for the radio listeners, but quickly spiraled out of control and into the wild imaginations of the radio station’s listeners as well as other parts of the world.
After the broadcast of the fake legend, people started to call the station with sightings of the “Dogman”.
Listeners called in and swore that they have seen this creature and known of it’s existence. No sooner than later, this small time hoax spread like wildfire and became Michigan’s legend. The creators of the hoax coaxed the fires by adding that the beat surfaced every decade. This was in 1987.
In 2007 Steve Cook once again made the news. This time, claiming to have in his hands some extraordinary film that was given to him. The film supposedly was found in an old attic and it’s origins are unknown. The film dubbed “The Gable film” shows in the beginning old footage, possible 70s era, that was shot with an 8mm film camera, of some family footage. Nothing really unusual until the last few seconds of the film in which it shows the camera person inside a truck, getting out to film a strange quadruped creature on some foliage. The creature then quickly charges at the camera person, to which some conclude that the person holding the camera drops it, and runs to the truck. The last frame shows a quick frame of fur and teeth.
Sounds creepy right? well if we take into consideration the legend of the “Dogman” and the source of the film it’s really not that creepy. And if we also take into consideration the countless hours of examination by Linda Godfrey, Nick Redfern and Mr. Loren Coleman’s readers at Cryptomundo we can rest assured the the possibility of the film being a product of another Michigan Hoax is relatively great.
Now, I’m not saying that the film itself is a hoax, I mean, like Mrs. Godfrey said “..[the film is] at least several decades old as his experts have ascertained based on technical analysis, and that it shows an animal doing very strange things….” but as far as a “Dogman”? I think it’s not.
Check out the film and you be the judge:
The infamous “Gable film”
Linda Godfrey’s books on the Wisconsin beast include sketches, photographs and incredible eyewitness accounts of sightings of the creature. Location of the sightings and more. A good read for the curious or the investigative type. Buy the books here:
Written by Javier Ortega - javier@ghosttheory.com
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late to the party, it is interesting the way it seems to charge – whatever it is, hoax or not, the animal does seem like an actual quadruped. Perhaps it was a dog dressed up in some ridiculous outfit?
Michael,
Those were my thoughts at first. Then I started to look closely at the creature. That would have to be a good fitting and molded suit/costume for any animal to wear.
It’s strange. I’ve not found any updates to this piece of film.
Javier Ortega i am currently hunting the beast from bray road.
i recently was in the back woods of walworth looking for this thing.
i came across a deer that was ripped to pieces. i knew it was a fresh kill because the Caracas was still warm.
now hear where it get weird, in that area of Wisconsin there is no bear or cat that could rip a animal to pieces like that.
it head was torn from it body and it had huge sections of the dear bitten out of it.
no it wasn’t cut or chopped it was ripped because the way the flesh had been torn.
next to it was a very large foot print.that had 4 claws and the way the impression in the ground it pivoted on its heel.
so as my train has taught me in the past you wait.
i put on my Ghillie suit and sat in the brush for a good part of the day.
as i lay there waiting in the bush i had my rifle cocked and waiting,about 3:30 4 something had moved from my position to the left of me.
i can tell you that i was freakin scared i told my self i need to aim for the head or the heart.
with in time i could see two points sticking up from the tree line about 50 feet to 30.
i am not gonna lie i jumped the gun i aimed and fired at it, i know you heard this a thousand times i missed not this time.
what ever the hell it was,was hit and hit good i trailed for a good part of the night but didn’t find jack.
what ever it was,was big i will keep you posted on my progress.
Hunter125 -
Did you get a photo of the pawprint? People who hunt a particular area often are a great source of info – they are very aware of what lives (or is SUPPOSED to live) in their area. Something unusual always catches their attention.
Please, more info if you get any!
Hunter125,
As Marie stated, if you have any evidence or if you can go back and photograph the prints (with an object for size reference) that would be great.
Keep us posted indeed.
-Javier
Javier Ortega
i do know where the area still is as i have mapped each area i have been to.
You must understand thou it is hard for me to come forward with the the evidiece i have found,and i dont want to compermise my postion of my hunts.i have talked to a few home owners in the area and some will not even go out in that area at night.i have even had some home owners say it will run thru there yard late at night but have been unsuccesful with that.
In all honestly who would take it seriously i have pitures and hair samples but want hard cold evidence the creature exsits.what i am looking for is a body.i know why kill something that could be the last of its kind.well what we look for today is proff and i am not going to be consdiered a loon. As a avid hunter i have tracked many animials and and have never seen any tracks that resembelle any animial i come to you if i find it and kill it you will be the first to get the call to come and do what you do best.
no i want no fame i just want the world to know that monster do exsist.
i will be heading out again this weekend to coutine you my hunt.
thxs hunter125
hunter125,
I think it’s best to capture tangible evidence first, without resorting to killing any creature.
I understand you must think that misidentifying an animal might result in ridicule, but that’s not always the case. The best methods are to capture footprints/fur/video or photographic evidence and share with the world to help identify.
We don’t condone killing animals, especially if thought to be cryptids.
If you have any pictures of the prints, we would love to check them out.
-Javier
Javier Ortega
OK i will send you what evidence i have for you but i will not be scrutinized and ask you not to publish or post my findings no matter what. if you can give me your word i will send you photos,hair samples and a skull that was found that no one can identify,and most of all a video from my hunt on that day.
please do not publish my findings to the public this is my hunt i have worked long and hard on this and do not want to lose my opportunity here.
thanks hunter125
ps dog man my but this thing is a full blow were wolf
hunter125,
I won’t share your findings with anyone until I have your permission.
If you like, you can send the photos that you have to my email javier @ Ghosttheory.com
Thanks
-Javier
My first guess at the video was a bear, with the shambling gait of the first couple of seconds and the frame of it… but no bear I can think of can jump with all fours like that thing did… that’s just gorram bizarre.
Hey Hunter 125…i swear to god I will not share your evidence with anyone if you email it to me. I to am searching for this creature. Ben.dunston1@gmail.com
God I think this guy is full of it. A ghillie suit? NO ONE HUNTS WITH A GHILLIE SUIT! Its illegal for starters and extremely dangerous due to the fact that you could be mistaken for an animal and shot. Also the reason you dont need one is becuase most animals see only in black and white and smell. I dont know who this guy is claiming to be but he is no hunter. And if he is I doubt he has encountered such a creature. And if so him hunting alone is something a rookie would only do. Ask any hunter and if you are hunting a predatory animal especially one as dangerous as a bear or wolfman YOU DONT DO IT ALONE!. Besides the obivious danger factor another point is that what happens if you get hurt. Javier i hate to tell you but this guy is pulling your chain.
andrewkeeler,
Actually I was thinking a long time ago about putting on a gillie suit. Military training teaches you recon and how to be invisible and thats the problem with all the expeditions to set out and find the creature. They make it way to obvious that their there. Remove your scent, look and act like the enviroment, and kill it. The more people the bigger chance there is you will be seen or spotted by the animal. Nobody hunts together in wisconsin.
Not saying he’s not full of shit just saying a gillie suit is not a bad idea at all.
Also javier ortega, would you mind confirming that he sent you evidence just so we know he’s not bullshitting.
andrewkeeler are you dumb,How would you hunt it.
Really this guy must know what he is doing mapping,and running patterns.To me sounds ex military.
hmmm special forces maybe.
don’t know but this guy is smart and if you knew anything about hunting a creature like this you see why.
2 people to much 1 person hell you ain’t got to worry about where the other guy is,and no dumb shit guile suits are not illegal when hunting werewolf you dip s*** only hunting animals that require a license.
Oh by the way i read a bunch of the stories on here you need to get a life andrewkeeler
great website Javier Ortega did you ever get any evidence from hunter?
OK, I would LOVE to believe that werewolves, sasquatch etc. are real. Honestly, would let me feel there was magic in the world. And I’ve tried to be openminded, but honestly, guys, I think it’s all a crock. These various “spontaneous films” that pop up purporting to show bigfoot or werewolves or ghosts etc. just plain look too contrived. Like my granny always said, “If it looks too good to be true, it is.”
NiceneHobbit,
I agree with you. Werewolves are things of legend and myth. It’s difficult to believe in shapshifting as a real thing.
The case the Linda Godfrey brings us is the fact that these reports still come in. Reports of bigger than normal wolf-like creatures roaming the U.S.
Reports of these creatures suddenly walking on two legs. These reports have been compiled by various witnesses from various walks of life.
I think it’s important to understand that the research provided here goes far beyond a simple questions of “Do werewolves exist?”. The research dives into the possibility of animal mutations, hallucination, psychosis and other interesting topics.
Do I believe that there are undiscovered wolf-like creatures out there? sure. Do I believe in werewolves? No.
-Javier
Hello,
My name is Eric I spent many days {years} out on hospital rd as my best friend lived there when we were 11 until now. I am currently 30 yrs old and I guarantee that this bray road beast is very real. I cant even talk about it with-out tears coming to my eyes. First I will tell you that I really didnt believe in anything like this but this baby is the real deal.Ok there were three of us camping and we started a small fire and suddenly realised that we needed a couple of chairs. At this point two of us left on the tractor with a trailer to make the long trek back to the house to grab the chairs and a couple other needed items for camping. On our way back we encountered our good friend pale white running with everything he had to get somewhere safe! He told us there was something like a warewolf out there and there was no way he was ever going back out there nor back to this area. The farm boy we were with just laughed because he didnt believe in this type of thing either!!! The two of us went out there to the campsite only for a split second and right away the howling began. I couldnt believe what I was hearing but as the howling got closer and I caught a glimpse of what was out there with my spotlight and I totally freaked out, started my dirtbike and my big farmboy friend was screaming your not leaving me!! He jumed on the tractor and i have never rode so fast in my life across a fully tilled field with-out caring about anything but getting away!! He was so mad and scared at the same time because the tractor was not nearly as fast as a dirtbike but at this point i was saving my own ass!! Its true it stands on its hind legs and is vicious as hell looking and its howl is something so scary sounding that its unimaginable to say the least. Ill NEVER GO BACK OUT THERE NOT EVEN WITH A GUN.
Kill an Animal none of you know the slightest thing about? if it does exist how many people has it killed? what harm has it done?
I agree, get hair samples, shit samples, whatever, but to shoot a creature you know nothing about is totally discusting and puts yourselves as human beings has the lowest life forms on the planet not this suposed werewolf !!!!!!!!
The animal in the video is obviously a bear. The way it runs is consistant with that of a bear and not of a wolf. The reason for the aggression may be due to it being a female and having cubs near by; it was protecting them.
you people are nuts. i know its real i have seen it. but i wouldnt go looking for it. leave it be. obviously with the technology we have and satelite pictures and stuff if we were ment to find it we would. ya it eats humans….wich are animals so technically those creatures are nothing different then us they are just living on insticnt. its life. survival agianst the fittest. you gatta eat so do they.
This lady has lost a little credibility now that the truth has come out about the Gable Film.
“…It also, at one point, jumps off the ground with all four feet which is something a human in a suit could not do…”
Apparantly a human can and did.