Some stories are just meant to be told around a campfire as the stars twinkle above and normal noises – the scurrying of a squirrel or the hoot of an owl – take on a more sinister tone as we find ourselves on edge, waiting for the next line of the story. Next time you’re gathered around the campfire or curled under the blankets; retell the story of the Ozark Howler, an urban legend in Missouri that’s sure to make your hair stand on end.

If we believe this legend, a tale that’s been repeated time and again since the 1800s, Daniel Boone was the first to lay eyes on the Ozark Howler, a beast with horns and a cry so indescribable that once it’s heard it’s never forgotten.
Wikimedia Commons/Petunia Joan
Little is known about this early encounter except Boone is said to have fired at the creature, who apparently escaped. He was just the first of countless outdoor explorers who have crossed paths with the Howler.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Said to roam the Ozarks, perhaps most predominately Missouri and Arkansas, the strange creature has been described as resembling a black bear with eyes that glow red, and thick, dark fur. Skeptics claim witnesses have just seen a cougar or another wild animal.
Wikimedia Commons/Petunia Joan

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But it’s the sound that emanates from this elusive creature that sends chills down the spine. Many describe it as a cross between a wolf’s howl, a hyena’s laugh, and a human’s scream. If you hear it, you’ll know.
Flickr/Suzie Tremmel
Ozarks Howlers – yep, there are far more than one – have been said to roam, only at night, the Ozarks for decades, and running into one, again if we believe the legend, could have frightening consequences.
Flickr/midnightbreakfastcafe
Gazing into the Howler’s red eyes will leave you in a trance, but it gets…worse. Some say that if you hear the cry of a Howler or even just cross paths with him, you will soon meet your untimely end.
Flickr/Jim Pennucci

Have you heard the legend of the Ozark Howler? Have you perhaps spotted this mysterious creature in Missouri or in one of the other states where it’s said to have been seen? Let us know in the comments! Then, read about Momo, the Missouri Monster, another urban legend in Missouri. If you’re out exploring, be sure to take a camera just in case you run into the Ozark Howler or Momo.

The Legend Behind This Mythical Creature In Missouri Will Leave You Puzzled

 

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