EP 55: THE OZARK HOWLER OF MISSOURI!

In Missouri there is a mountain range that is surrounded by lakes and rivers, it's known as the Ozarks. Every year locals and tourists alike travel to hike, boat and just kick back and enjoy the scenery made popular by Netflix's famous show of the same name (Ozarks.) But what some people don't know is that there is a cryptid that calls the land home and because it doesn't stray too far from the mountains it has been dubbed The Ozark Howler. For over 200 years the legend of this Howler has been passed down from generation to generation. Now depending on which version you heard you might know this cryptid as a witches pet demon, or maybe even an omen that death will soon be knocking at your door and if those aren't enough there is legend that says if you offend the Ozark Howler he might just set your place on fire. So is he real, well I'm not 100% sure, but I do know that you might be able to make your own assumptions after listening to the newest episode of our podcast. Enjoy!

A map of where The Ozarks is located

A photo of Daniel Boone the man believed to have shot The Ozark Howler

Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Russellville, Arkansas

A photo of a Mountain Lion and to the right is a map

illustrating where they have recently been seen in Missouri

A photo of black bears and to the right is a map of where

Black Bears can be found in Missouri

The hoax photo of The Ozark Howler sent to a local Missouri news station

SOURCE MATERIALS:

For the story:

1. Cryptidz.Fandom. (n.d.). Ozark Howler. Cryptid Wiki. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Ozark_Howler

2. Explore Sothern History. (2017, 07 17). The Ozark Howler - Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. ExploreSouthernHistory.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://exploresouthernhistory.com/ozarkhowler.html

3. Unlock The Ozarks. (n.d.). Stories - Folklore, Legends, & Myths - Ozark Howler. Unlock The Ozarks. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from http://www.unlocktheozarks.org/stories/folklore-legends-and-myths/ozark-howler/

4. OzarkHowler.com. (n.d.). Ozark Howler. Ozark Howler – A Mysterious Legend Has Crept Into Our Domain. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://ozarkhowler.com/

5. Mountain Lion Foundation. (2017, February 1). Female Mountain Lion Sighted in Missouri Brings Hope for the Future. Mountain Lion Foundation. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://mountainlion.org/2017/02/01/female-mountain-lion-sighted-in-missouri-brings-hope-for-the-future/

6. Moreno, C., & KCUR. (2021, October 18). Missouri is holding its first black bear hunt, and some conservationists aren't happy. KCUR. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-18/missouri-is-holding-its-first-black-bear-hunt-and-conservationists-are-as-unhappy-as-the-bears?_amp=true

7. 4029TV. (2015, December 15). 'Ozark Howler' sighting at Devils Den? Game & Fish say photos are a 'hoax'. KHBS. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.4029tv.com/amp/article/ozark-howler-sighting-at-devils-den-game-fish-say-photos-are-a-hoax/4957812

8. Torrent, R. (2019, January 25). The Ozark Howler and the Black Dogs of Death. Ozark Howler. Medium. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://ozarkhowler.medium.com/the-ozark-howler-and-the-black-dogs-of-death-e076f6831fa4

9. vulpesffb. (2019). The Ozark Howler…. FOXSYLVANIA. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://foxsylvania.blog/2019/06/07/the-ozark-howler-2/amp/

10. team24-7realtors. (2021, March 24). 9 Reasons why the Ozarks are a great place to live. Team 24/7 Realtors. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://team24-7realtors.com/real-estate-blog/reasons-why-the-ozarks-are-a-great-place-to-live/

11. History.com Editors. (2019, December 6). Daniel Boone - Children, Home & TV Show - HISTORY. History.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/westward-expansion/daniel-boone

12. Scott, M. (n.d.). History Central Presbyterian Church Russellville Arkansas. Central Presbyterian Church Russellville Arkansas. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from http://www.cpcusa72801.org/history.htm

For the Image:

1. kodriak. (n.d.). Stories - Folklore, Legends, & Myths - Ozark Howler. Unlock The Ozarks. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from http://www.unlocktheozarks.org/stories/folklore-legends-and-myths/ozark-howler/

2. Garrison, C. (2012, October 29). Ghostly Image is Missouri's 33rd Mountain Lion Sighting Since 1994. Riverfront Times. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/ghostly-image-is-missouris-33rd-mountain-lion-sighting-since-1994/Content?oid=2588321

3. St. Louis Public Radio. (2012, May 25). How many black bears are there in Missouri? STLPR. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2012-05-25/how-many-black-bears-are-there-in-missouri

4. Miller, M., & Missourian Staff Writer. (2018, July 14). Mountain Lions May Be Found in Area – Utilizing River Corridor for Travel. Emissourian. Retrieved March 16, 2022, from https://www.emissourian.com/local_news/county/mountain-lions-may-be-found-in-area-utilizing-river-corridor-for-travel/article_b3536b0c-5ca6-552e-bd3e-81d0e43eaf2c.html

5. Coombs, J., Maps & GIS Librarian, Emeritus, & Missouri State University. (n.d.). Map of the Ozarks. The Ozark Story Project. Retrieved March 16, 2022, from https://www.ozarkstoryproject.com/map-of-the-ozarks/

6. Maccar, D. (2021, October 1). Why The Hell Are There No Movies About Daniel Boone?! Free Range American. Retrieved March 16, 2022, from https://freerangeamerican.us/why-are-there-no-daniel-boone-movies/

7. 4029TV.com. (2015, December 15). 'Ozark Howler' sighting at Devils Den? Game & Fish say photos are a 'hoax'. KHBS. Retrieved March 16, 2022, from https://www.4029tv.com/article/ozark-howler-sighting-at-devils-den-game-fish-say-photos-are-a-hoax/4957812#

8. KMBC. (2021, May 4). Be bear aware! Missouri's black bears have started coming out of their dens. KMBC. Retrieved March 16, 2022, from https://www.kmbc.com/article/be-bear-aware-missouris-800-black-bears-have-started-coming-out-of-their-dens/36332030#

9. Scott, M. (n.d.). History Central Presbyterian Church Russellville Arkansas. Central Presbyterian Church Russellville Arkansas. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from http://www.cpcusa72801.org/history.htm