I dont remember verbatim what he told me that day but the gist of that conversation has stuck in my psyche with clarity for nearly 30 years. Your email address will not be published. What I saw scared the life out of me. If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. When they got to the spot they noticed the earth and surrounding plant life was disturbed like something big frequently passed there, a game trail of sorts. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. Over the last century, hurricanes, sea level rise, and problematic development projects, such as damming the Mississippi River, have caused Louisiana to lose more than 2,000 square miles of land. The Rougarou myth is even so prevalent that the term "rougarouing" or similar terms have become used to describe a person who stays up late or is active at night. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. But for decades, hes wondered about one of the swamp's fabled creatures the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a legendary 500-pound beast that some claim hides amid the cypress trees andmurky waters. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. Where can you find a Rougarou? This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. So this happened to me a few years ago, I was visiting a friend's house in the Houston River area, that section of the river is pretty swampy so we were frog hunting at night. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Had me captured. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. Who knows what it is? The anonyms Laplace man said he was out near Ruddock with a friend, they were clearing land with a bulldozer when they came across footprints in the mud that were at least 19 inches in length. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. There was a problem saving your notification. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. For decades, the equivalent of one football field of coastline was lost per hour; while the rate has slowed, the regions long-term prognosis remains grim. Was there really a monster in the swamps? A long-simmering proposal to dam the Pearl River near Jackson, Miss., has prompted concerns in southeast Louisina and southwest Mississippi about how such a project would impact the lower Pearl River. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. You have permission to edit this article. The neighbor, who was unaware of the husbands sighting, stated that while walking with his dog in the woods, his dog got spooked and ran back toward their house. Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a mythical werewolf type creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Dont believe us? If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Curious Louisiana answers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. Crafty. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. There was also a story that was told to kids that if they didnt do what their parents asked, a loup-garou would come and steal them away in the middle of the night. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. I hunt all over america and even in Africa a couple times ive run across crap that has made me avoid entire states and run across other things that i tried to stalk and kill one of these things i tried to kill is a loup garou i lived in deep louisiana until i was 11 i know about these things your gonna need some back story for this i subscribe to the idea that they are cursed humans and will have the curse till they die like wherewolves and the loup garou may even be a wherewolf because the only time ive ever found a claim of one that i couldnt easily blow off the description was the same as a where wolf like a humanoid grizzly bear on two legs with lots of steroids that aside i was doing some hunting one night for hog and saw a huge animal walk out stood 6 or 7 feet tall on two legs couldnt make out fine details due to light but i took a shot at it after i saw enough to realize it wasnt human i shot it in the head with a 45-70 those of you who dont get that its a rifle capable of taking large game like an elephant with one shot very strong round and for those of you who are gun people ill give some specs it was a 500 grain soft lead bullet hot loaded on 72 grains of powder (that doesnt sound like much but i shoot black powder in it not smokeless and no its not a muzzle loader it shoots brass cased bullets like a normal gun) anyway i hit it in the head and it got really pissed of and started to charge from about 200 yards away i shot it again in the chest and it ran off i spent the night tracking it mind you this all happemed at about 10 i only quit when i lost blood trail and foot print trail right around daylight i went home and that night there was a story of a man whos body had been found with two large holes that resembled bullet holes but it was ruled out because there was no trace of any lead or powder and he was drained of all his blood that chalked it up to a satanic ritual now to me it sounds like i killed a loup garou but hey maybe its still out there and just really pissed off. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. Thank you! It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Countrys answer to Bigfoot. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? Your email address will not be published. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Get more stories delivered right to your email. The Rougarou is often also associated with the Skunk Ape or the Honey Island Swamp Monster, likely due to another variation of the myth that states the creature is a shapeshifter that can change forms between human and animal at will, sometimes making it seem more like a swamp Sasquatch than a werewolf. 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Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. Im not making this up. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Foret recalls hearing of one legendary rougarou run-in, when a young boy out for a stroll, armed with only his oyster knife, encountered the creature. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. No purchase necessary. we have similar creatures in northeastern NY along with a few other cryptids like pig men and Bigfoot but i also have seen a panther like cat with black bat like wings by the tree line in a small town along lake Champlain. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? And then I realized that is what I saw! In another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. I suppose anything is possible, and while the Bigfoot sighting phenomena originated in the Pacific Northwest, it seems more than plausible that such a creature could exist here. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. I remember he kept repeating something to the effect of look, Im not sure what I saw. At that time the only reference I had to Bigfoot was a few TV shows and a book I checked out a few times from my schools library. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Its too late to turn back! This is why I always read terms and conditions. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). Back in the thick, fog-covered swamplands is where youll find the true beauty of Louisiana and perhaps even a monster or twoincluding the legendary beast called the Rougarou. An estimated 15,000 people now attend Rougarou Festival, which still manages to provide a very genuine peek into a culture and a land unlike any other in the world. Legends of the Rougarou. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. Once turned around, the cousin looked back and observed the creature now walking in the middle of the road and at a quicker pace toward the children. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. Thank you! Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. Definitely a loup-garou. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. "This thing had a flat back. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. I was compelled to dig in further to see if I could find more sighting reports in the Southeast Louisiana area, if only to substantiate these other reports. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . Required fields are marked *. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. Did your house get ransacked during the night? Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Since Cajun dialect is a mix of French and English and well-known for changing words completely to roll off the tongue easier, the name of the beast changed from loup-garou to Rougarou (also spelled roux-ga-roux, rugaroo, or rugaru).