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Have you ever wandered through the dense forests of Maine, feeling as if you were being followed? The Maine woods hold secrets as old as time, where myths and mythical creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. Let's delve into the mystical realm of Maine's folklore.
Sock Sunaders
“Sock Saunders” is a trickster, and the guy loggers would often blame if things went wrong at camp. An axe goes missing? Blame Sock Saunders. A tree fell in the wrong direction? Sock Saunders.
The Tote Road Shagamaw
The Tote Road Shagamaw is a creature whose origins lie in the oral tradition of late nineteenth-century North American lumberjacks. Said to be half bear, half moose, those who’ve seen it claim it walks upright on its back legs before switching to its front legs alternating every quarter mile. Its hind legs are said to end in hooves while its front limbs are paws, confusing all who try to track it.
Wil o’ the Wisps
A will o’ the wisp appears as ghostly dancing lights seen floating through the forest at night near water and wet ground. They’re suspected of leading travelers astray, never to be seen again.
Agropelter
Found in most of North America's northern woods, this wiry, long-limbed creature looks more like an ape or monkey. Its muscular, whip-like front arms allow it to tear limbs from trees and hurl them at prey or unsuspecting loggers. The Agropelter is renowned for its incredible aim. According to legend, it eats only owls and woodpeckers.
The “Come-at-a-body”
The "come-at-a-body" only appears at night when you are alone in the woods and smell like rum. Invented by the logging camps, it is said to run at you, scaring you half to death, and then stop just short of attacking, wandering off as if nothing had happened. Described as a small fearsome creature with velvet fur and a musky scent, It was first reported by Mr. B.B. Bickford of Gorham, New Hampshire, as told in the 1939 Fearsome Critters book.
Wamfahoofus
When hiking, always stay to the left of any puddles or boggy areas, or the one-armed Wamfahoofus may grab your boot. Dr. Francis Boott claimed that this creature had been discovered in the White Mountains in the 1800s.
The Billdad
A mythical creature from Boundary Pond that resembles a cross between a kangaroo and a platypus. According to legend, a Billdad was killed at Boundary Pond and brought to a logging camp. There, a cook made a slumgullion stew from it. The only person brave enough to eat it was Bill Murphy from Ambajejus. He took one taste, bolted from the camp, dove into a nearby lake, and drowned.
The Specter Moose
These pure white moose are said to be giants, even by moose standards. They aggressively command respect and disappear instantly, leading some to believe that it is the spirit of all moose.
Big Foot
Numerous unsettling and inexplicable occurrences have occurred in the mysterious depths of the Maine forests. None have been more intriguing than the reported sightings of a massive humanoid creature known as Bigfoot. According to The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, there have been at least 19 reports of Bigfoot sightings in Maine since 1970.
As you journey through the forests of Maine, stay open to the mysteries that reside within. Whether you embrace these legends or regard them as mere tales, the Maine woods possess an enduring charm that invites exploration of its concealed depths. Who knows what secrets await in the heart of the wilderness?
