New 'Bigfoot' Tracks Discovered in Ohio Wetlands

Witness reports hearing 'loud wood knocks' before finding large, unidentifiable footprints in Ashland preserve

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:36pm

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An abstract, geometric painting in muted earth tones depicting sweeping arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, representing the natural landscape and the elusive presence of an unidentified bipedal creature.As reports of Bigfoot sightings surge across Ohio, a new encounter in a rural wetlands preserve adds to the growing mystery surrounding the legendary creature.Ashland Today

A new report from rural Ohio is adding fresh fuel to a recent surge of alleged Bigfoot encounters, with a witness describing hearing 'loud wood knocks' before stumbling upon 'unidentifiable tracks that measured 14 to 16 inches long' at the Audubon Wetlands Preserve in Ashland.

Why it matters

Ohio has seen an unusually dense cluster of Bigfoot claims in recent weeks, a pattern enthusiasts call a 'flap.' The latest account comes as researchers and witnesses describe heightened activity across the state, raising hopes that credible evidence could emerge.

The details

The sighting, classified as a 'Class B' by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), was submitted by Thomas Paulchell, a college professor. Paulchell said he and his wife heard 'two to three loud wood knocks' coming from the woods ahead, before discovering several large, barefoot tracks pressed deeply into the wet ground. The prints measured between 14 and 16 inches long and appeared narrow for their length, showing possible toe impressions and lacking claw marks.

  • On March 15, Paulchell and his wife encountered the strange sounds and tracks during a late-morning hike at the Audubon Wetlands Preserve.

The players

Thomas Paulchell

A college professor who submitted a report to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) about his encounter at the Audubon Wetlands Preserve.

Matthew Moneymaker

A BFRO investigator who conducted a follow-up review of the Ashland report, noting that the location is near the site of a previous 'Class A' Bigfoot sighting in 2021.

Jeremiah Byron

The host of the Bigfoot Society podcast, who described the recent cluster of Bigfoot sightings in Ohio as something the current generation of enthusiasts has never experienced before.

Floe Foxon

A scientist whose 2023 research found a strong statistical link between reported Bigfoot encounters and black bear populations across the United States and Canada.

Jeremy Bruskotter

A professor at the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University, who previously told Newsweek that people who 'see' Bigfoot are likely just misidentifying wild animals.

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What they’re saying

“There were no other hikers at the time of the knocks and the track discovery. There was some animal activity in the preserve. Mostly squirrels and two large deer sighted just before discovering the tracks. No unusual odors. The atmosphere seemed normal, not heavy or oppressive. Just a normal early spring day.”

— Thomas Paulchell, Witness

“I think that's extremely likely...that people who 'see' Bigfoot are actually just misidentifying wild animals.”

— Jeremy Bruskotter, Professor, Ohio State University

What’s next

Investigators say future developments could include follow‑up site visits, analysis of photographs, or additional witness reports from the same area.

The takeaway

The latest Bigfoot sighting in Ohio is part of a broader surge of alleged encounters across the state, raising hopes among enthusiasts that credible evidence could emerge, even as skeptics argue the reports are likely misidentifications of known wildlife.