BFRO #75162: Kayakers report camp intimidation all night long on Lower Buffalo River

📍 Location

📝 Description

On September 8, 2022 my son and I packed up to go kayak-camping the Lower Buffalo River. We planned a three night trip as we would take our time as we were fishing. We drove for about 6 or 7 hours and finally arrived. We put in at Rush and only went about four miles that afternoon and just soaked up the beauty. We made camp and enjoyed a peaceful night. On September 9, 2022 we started the day at first light. We knew that we wanted to camp close to Big Creek to keep on schedule, so we fished all day and simply enjoyed the day. By late afternoon it was hot but not too hot. I believe the temp was somewhere around 83-85 degrees and a somewhat clear day with low humidity. At approximately 4:00 pm, I believe we had stopped fishing and were looking for a good campsite as we were getting close to Big Creek. I believe that there was some type of obstruction or a cut to the left where we weren�t paddling but simply letting the river push us. We were quiet and not talking, just quietly floating. At [36.0931117, -92.4756105] which was to our left, at approximately 20 yards away we heard what can best be described as a pissed off monkey. Literally sounded like a monkey as it ripped away at whatever was in its path as it went away from the river. It was still making the pissed off monkey sounds as it tore through the woods. We both looked surprised and asked what the hell was that as we started paddling away from the location. We joked about the sound and just wanted to put a little distance between us and the pissed off monkey. This occurred just north of Big Creek approximately 1.29 miles. We paddled about 2.78 river miles from the pissed off monkey and stopped on the river left at a small gravel bar to make camp, at 36.0930645, -92.4567744The gravel bar wasn�t that wid, and was approximately 15-20 yards long but was in good shade. Our goal this afternoon was to find a good shaded area where we wouldn�t cook as the sun went behind the ridge. Since there was no rain forecast we figured we were good. Also, the water had been dropping all day. We went into full camp mode and started to get everything set up. That�s when we heard the first wood knock. We both stopped what we were doing and looked towards the knock. From our camp it was from the ridge line across the river from us and north up the ridge, a little down river. I looked at my son and said that was a dang wood knock. Now, we joked earlier that the pissed off monkey sound could have been an ole squatch but we were joking. I actually believed my son said that a bear can make some crazy sounds like that when surprised. Regardless, we have now just heard a tree knock, no doubt about that. We both made some sly comments jokingly about it and continued to set up camp.Our camp was on a narrow gravel and rock bar that was approximately 15-20 yards wide. We had a clear field of view up and down the river. Our two tents were set up about 20 feet from the tree line with the tents only being about 12 feet apart. The fire was directly in front of both tents and split the difference from the tents and the water. We had two kayaks pulled completely out of the water to our front right. Once camp was set we jumped in the river for a little while and knocked the day�s grime off. After that we walked the rock bar and fished for a very short time and then gathered enough wood to have a fire that would last us until we hit the sack. We then settled in by a fire and just talked about the day.At approximately 8:00 pm the night started creeping in and I grabbed my weather radio to check the weather since rain was supposed to move in the next day. We sat around and listened to two regional reports and clicked it off. It was immediately after that that all hell would break loose and would last until 4:00 am. As if from on que, we heard a yell �aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh� that came from the ridge line close to where the tree knock was earlier. That freaked us out! We immediately jumped up at the same time and walked towards the water where the campfire smoke wouldn�t block our view. We started looking in the general area and began talking about what the hell would or even could make that noise. We then started asking ourselves if someone could be up on the ridge messing with us. Doubtful based on the location and terrain. We were, after all, in the wilderness. The yell was extremely loud and deep and sounded pissed. It wasn�t no time after that, in fact my son was still standing up, that we heard a noise coming from our rear but it was higher pitched and I couldn�t make it out but it had a melody to it. I stood up and looked at my son and asked what the hell was that? He said, you don�t want to know what I heard. And of course I said I do. He said it sounded like a woman singing. Now that really freaked me out but freaked my son out more because he could actually hear it better. We immediately both went to our tents and retrieved our handguns without a word being spoken. My concern was that now

🔍 Circumstances

One other witness -- my son

🌤️ Weather Conditions

First contact at 4:00 p.m., 83-85 degrees, low humidity, clear.Evening, cool with lows in the high 40s, full moon, partially cloudy.

ℹ️ Additional Details

First contact at 4:00 p.m., 83-85 degrees, low humidity, clear.Evening, cool with lows in the high 40s, full moon, partially cloudy.

🔗 Sources (1)

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