Bigfoot Sightings Spark Fears in Ohio County

Witnesses describe multiple encounters with large, hairy creatures in Portage County

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:50am

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Over a four-day period in March 2026, multiple witnesses in Portage County, Ohio reported seeing large, hairy bipedal creatures they believe were Bigfoot. The sightings occurred in wooded areas around Mantua Center, Garrettsville, Streetsboro, and Newton Township, with witnesses describing the creatures as standing between 6 and 10 feet tall. One account mentioned a guard dog being left "shaking with fear" during an encounter. While Bigfoot enthusiasts are excited by the cluster of sightings, which they call a "flap", no physical evidence or video footage has emerged to substantiate the claims.

Why it matters

The Portage County sightings have generated significant interest among Bigfoot enthusiasts, who view the concentration of reports in a small geographic area over a short timeframe as potentially meaningful evidence of the creatures' existence. However, the lack of verifiable proof continues to fuel skepticism about these types of claims, which have a long history in Ohio and other parts of the United States.

The details

The sightings began on March 6 when someone spotted a 9-foot brown figure near Mantua Center. Over the next few days, there were five more reported encounters with figures ranging from 6 to 10 feet tall and varying in color from brown to black. Witnesses described the creatures as having stiff, stilt-like gaits, turning their entire shoulders rather than their necks, and leaving behind unexplained footprints. One account specifically mentioned a guard dog being left "shaking with fear" during an encounter.

  • The first sighting occurred on March 6 near Mantua Center.
  • Additional sightings were reported on March 7, 9, and 10 in the Garrettsville, Streetsboro, and Newton Township areas.

The players

Jeremiah Byron

The host of the Bigfoot Society podcast and administrator of its 282,000-member Facebook community, who recognized the pattern of sightings as a "flap" - a cryptozoology term for an abnormal concentration of sightings in a compact timeframe and location.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The Portage County sightings highlight the ongoing debate around the existence of Bigfoot, with enthusiasts seeing the cluster of reports as potential evidence, while skeptics argue that conviction does not equal verification. The lack of physical proof, such as photographs, video footage, or preserved physical evidence, continues to be a major obstacle in substantiating these types of claims.