Bobcat screaming

[Pony]

I spent the last few days at Dolly Sods and there was some interesting nocturnal sounds. Aside from the usual coyotes and owls, I believe I heard a bobcat. Two nights ago it was a ways off. Last night it started a ways off then got closer until it sounded like it was right behind my camp. Very loud. Some other hikers came down the trail and then it stopped. I'm not 100% sure it was a bobcat, but I don't know what else it could be. It sounded like someone screaming. Is this just a normal night for a bobcat or was it trying to warn me that I was in it's territory? Or did I hear something else?

[HooKooDooKu]

Bobcat most likely.
Search youtube for "urban bobcat". I guy posted a video taken in his neighborhood of two bobcats fussing at each other in broud daylight. See if what you heard sounds anything like that video

[Strategic]

Yes, almost certainly a bobcat. One of their calls does sound like a person screaming. Probably not for you, though, since bobcats will not disturb a human if they can help it, territory or not. You're lucky to have heard it.

[Pony]

I watched a few videos and I'm pretty sure it was a bobcat. There may have been more than one, but i'm not sure.

[Pony]

Yup. Urban bobcats was very similar to what i heard.

[peakbagger]

Somewhat related https://www.mynbc5.com/article/video...obcat/34286613

[illabelle]

We heard a loud scream while camped on the Forney Creek Trail in the Smokies several years ago. Sounded like a large animal. It was dark, and we weren't going to exit the tent to look around, but I've always wondered what that was. Bobcat makes sense.

[Time Zone]

We heard a loud scream while camped on the Forney Creek Trail in the Smokies several years ago. Sounded like a large animal. It was dark, and we weren't going to exit the tent to look around, but I've always wondered what that was. Bobcat makes sense.

I was camping in WNC a few years back and heard a high-pitched scream. It sounded like someone getting murdered. Thought a ranger later told me it was probably an owl. Now I wonder, how many animals tend to make a blood-curdling cry during the night?

[JNI64]

How cool, lucky you ! I've spent alot time in the Dollysods did you do the 30 mile loop ? Awesome place for stargazing. Yes most likely a bobcat consider yourself fortunate enough to have heard this. They sound like a baby crieng sometimes.

[Fëanor]

Hiya JN64! was looking at alltrails and hikingproject but couldn't find that 30 mile loop! is it some kind of off-loop? Thinking of hiking that some time soon and looking at longest trail loops.

Thanks

[JNI64]

Hiya JN64! was looking at alltrails and hikingproject but couldn't find that 30 mile loop! is it some kind of off-loop? Thinking of hiking that some time soon and looking at longest trail loops.

Thanks

Hiya back, I'm not really sure of the mileage to be honest. We pieced together the outside trails such as TR522, bear rocks trail, TR521 Raven Ridge trail etc....
There's a circuit of trails and if you're not making good time you can always cut your mileage by taken one of the other trails.
But you better do it soon I think they close the gates sometime in October.

[Fëanor]

Hiya back, I'm not really sure of the mileage to be honest. We pieced together the outside trails such as TR522, bear rocks trail, TR521 Raven Ridge trail etc....
There's a circuit of trails and if you're not making good time you can always cut your mileage by taken one of the other trails.
But you better do it soon I think they close the gates sometime in October.

Thank You much!

[JNI64]

Thank You much!

Your welcome and this Friday night is the harvest-super moon weather permitting it would be a great time to visit

[Pony]

I really didn't do a lot of hiking, I think I'm getting soft. Ha ha. I spent a lot if time relaxing around the campfire, and yes, the stargazing was excellent. Once or twice a year I take a solo trip to kind of clear the cob webs. It was nice to spend some time reflecting on what has been a crazy year, without all the outside noise that you get bombarded with in everyday life.

[JNI64]

Awesome good for ya ! The Dollysods the highest plateau east of the Mississippi at a lil over 4,000'. Big blueberry fields , down to fern fields with ferns 6' plus, then you come to Big spruce trees 100' plus that only grows branches on one side because of the constant wind. Then across red creek to the end of the loop to the " sods" not my favorite part probably the length of a football field, I remember sticking my hiking pole in the mud checking for a route and my trekking pole went all the way down. But anyways don't tell anyone and you might already know but if you follow red creek there are some real gem campsites. Not on any map and I'm talking private, fire rings, rocks set up like chairs , big evergreen mossy ares right on red creek. It really is one the most beautiful diverse places I've been to.

[Majortrauma]

Dolly Sods is easily one of the most spectacular and wonderful places on the east coast for backpacking. It's our go-to place for our spring hikes to avoid the crowds on the AT.
It's also a little squatchy

[Pony]

I've been there a few times, always with the intention of putting some miles in. I enjoy the spruce forest so much that i usually end up wandering around spending more time looking at trees than I do hiking. The other morning there was a doe and fawn that lingered in my camp for about a half hour while I ate my oatmeal. It's things like that, that get in the way of doing any real hiking. Ha ha.

[JNI64]

We set up base camp one week along red creek about 5 miles in,I was carrying a tipi size pack like 90 lbs. Very private only saw 3 people all week ,a couple came in then left and a gentleman came along and wanted to photograph the waterfalls we had exclusively to ourselves. But one morning I went out to pee and always look out before I exit and looked up to a deer staring right down at me,he gave me a crazy look and took off like a bat outta hell.I don't know if he scared me or i scared him more. They also have what is known as the "giant " species of crayfish about 5" or more twice the size as normal crayfish. They look like small lobster, I was dangling my feet in red creek getting water and one pinched my ankle. I looked underneath the rock and got a good look at it. I've since Google it and they are found in tennessee as well.

[ChrisMek]

It may not have been a Bobcat that you heard. I hear Red Foxes all the time here in NJ. Here are a couple you tube Videos and compare what you heard to these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYYHrG6UC4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyAlQWiuTy8

[Seatbelt]

Agreed foxes can sound very unsettling.