Appalachian Mystery: The Woodbooger of Norton Virginia

Stories and sightings of the mysterious Woodbooger in the Appalachian Mountains have been reported for well over a 100 years, and they still continue to this day! Most can’t be explained, so the lore and legend keep growing! Join me as I explore Norton Virginia, and it’s legendary Woodbooger!

The Woodbooger is a cryptid often associated with Bigfoot, primarily reported in Southwest Virginia, particularly in Norton City and Wise County. The name “Wood Booger” originates from folklore, where it was rumored to carry off misbehaving children who wandered into the woods at night, much like the Boogeyman.

Theory of the Woodbooger

The Woodbooger is believed to be a regional variant of Bigfoot, sharing similar characteristics:

• Height: Estimated between 7 to 8 feet tall.
• Appearance: Covered in brown or black fur, with a bulky humanoid frame.
• Behavior: Often spotted while hunting, hiking, or playing near the woods.
• Habitat: Prefers dense forests and mountainous terrain, particularly in Flag Rock Recreation Area, which has become a hotspot for sightings.

Possible Explanations

1. Bigfoot Subspecies Theory – Some cryptozoologists believe the Woodbooger is simply a regional adaptation of Bigfoot, with slight differences in behavior and habitat.
2. Folklore & Mythology – The creature’s name and reputation as a child-snatcher suggest it may have originated as a cautionary tale to keep children from wandering into the wilderness.
3. Misidentified Wildlife – Sightings could be attributed to bears, large primates, or even humans in costume, leading to exaggerated reports.
4. Paranormal Entity – Some theories suggest the Woodbooger could be a supernatural being, appearing and disappearing mysteriously.

Cultural Impact

The Woodbooger gained popularity after being featured on Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot”, which led to Norton, Virginia designating a local recreation area as the Woodbooger Sanctuary, complete with a statue celebrating the creature. The town even hosts an annual Woodbooger Festival, embracing its cryptid heritage.

The earliest known report of the Wood Booger dates back to November 24, 1892, in a newspaper called The Old Post. The creature was given the name “Wood Booger” because it was rumored to carry off children who wandered into the woods at night, much like the Boogeyman.

Sightings of the Wood Booger have continued over the years, particularly in Norton City and Wise County, Virginia, where it has become a local legend. The creature gained wider attention after being featured on Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot”, which led to the creation of a Wood Booger Sanctuary and an annual Wood Booger Festival in Norton.

Here are some of the oldest recorded sightings of the Wood Booger, a cryptid often associated with Bigfoot in Southwest Virginia:

1. November 24, 1892 – A newspaper article from The Old Post described the creature as a “Boogeyman-like figure” that was rumored to carry off misbehaving children who wandered into the woods at night.
2. April 5, 2009 – A sighting known as “The Beast of Gum Hill” was captured on video. A man riding an ATV through a river in Wise County, Virginia, claimed to have seen the creature walk out in front of him before slowly retreating into the forest.
3. 2011–2012 – Multiple reports surfaced from Flag Rock Recreation Area, where hikers and hunters described encounters with a 7–8 foot tall humanoid covered in brown or black fur.

The Wood Booger Festival in Norton, Virginia, celebrates these sightings, and the town has even designated a Wood Booger Sanctuary with a statue honoring the creature.

Here are more Wood Booger sightings, including some of the earliest and most intriguing encounters:

Historical Sightings

1. November 24, 1892 – A newspaper article from The Old Post described the creature as a “Boogeyman-like figure” rumored to carry off misbehaving children who wandered into the woods at night.
2. 1947 – Bardin Booger Encounter – A woman riding her horse through the woods in Bardin, Florida, spotted what she thought was a large man wearing a raincoat. Upon closer inspection, she realized the figure was covered in thick fur and was not human.
3. 1967 – Patterson-Gimlin Film – While not directly linked to the Wood Booger, this famous footage captured a large, hairy humanoid walking through the woods of Northern California, fueling speculation about similar creatures across the U.S..

Modern Sightings

4. April 5, 2009 – The Beast of Gum Hill – A man riding an ATV through a river in Wise County, Virginia, claimed to have seen the creature walk out in front of him before slowly retreating into the forest.
5. 2011–2012 – Flag Rock Recreation Area – Multiple reports surfaced from Norton, Virginia, where hikers and hunters described encounters with a 7–8 foot tall humanoid covered in brown or black fur.
6. 2025 – Recent Sightings – Cryptid researchers continue to investigate reports of Wood Booger encounters, particularly in Southwest Virginia, where locals claim to hear strange howls and see large footprints.

The Wood Booger Festival in Norton, Virginia, celebrates these sightings, and the town has even designated a Wood Booger Sanctuary with a statue honoring the creature.