The air was cool and still. Joe, his son Bill and I had just finished branding the last calf 30 minutes earlier and where now enjoying a java around our branding fire east of Scofield reservoir . The stars were bright that night, but the sky was moonless. I had just finished my first cup when I heard some rustling about 50 meters to the south. We had been having problems with coyotes so I grabbed my trusty Winchester 30-30. As I got up, I saw a large silhouette, not of a coyote but much larger, approximately 10 feet in height and standing on two legs. I knew my Winchester was no match for what I was seeing.

Joe grabbed his son Bill and headed for the truck a few feet away, his curiosity was not as intense as mine. I had heard of some strange sightings from old Shepherds down on the San Rafael Swell but had never heard of anything as far north as the Scofield area. As I approached this beast it let out a flair of air from its nostrils and steamed the sky around its head. I stopped in my tracks. Such a beast could take me in one bite and then I saw the claws of his forearms, they were shaped like the talons of an eagle but more than 6 inches in length. I assumed they could disembowel a man in a single swipe.

I had a camera in the truck but Joe was too scared to come out and have a Fuji moment. I turned to get the camera myself, heard a rustle and when I turned again the creature was gone. I gave up Java that night. The nerves just couldn’t take it. Joe and Bill saw the silhouette but didn’t get the look I did. We hadn’t said anything to anyone for fear of scorn. When I was surfing the Net I came across your web site, I’m glad I’m not alone in my experiences.

John

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