1976 06 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS, MODERN MYSTERIES
Issue: 22
Publisher: SAGA
Cover Headline: MONSTER SEASON

This issue of SAGA magazine, dated 1975, delves into a variety of unexplained sightings and unusual animal encounters, primarily focusing on the phenomenon of "Monster Season." The content explores reports of cryptids and strange animals across the United States, suggesting that many of these accounts are not mere fabrications.

Monster Season: Hairy Giants and Elusive Creatures

The lead article by John A. Keel, titled "Monster Season," details numerous sightings of a 7-foot-tall hairy monster in the New Jersey and New York areas during 1975. These creatures were described as having blazing red eyes and were seen "cavorting in the woods." Despite extensive searches by local police and amateur investigators, no concrete evidence was ever found, leading to the recurring question of how such large beings could remain hidden. One specific sighting on Staten Island described a "bear-like" creature standing on two legs, noted for its ability to vanish quickly.

Keel draws parallels between these elusive monsters and the remarkable ability of elephants to move silently and remain undetected. He recounts an anecdote from his time in India where he encountered a massive elephant that moved through the trees without making a sound. He also shares the story of two elephants that escaped from the Catskill Game Farm in New York and remained hidden for two weeks, despite a massive search effort involving thousands of people and aerial surveillance. This comparison highlights the possibility that large, unknown creatures could similarly evade detection.

Mysterious Marsupials and Other Exotic Encounters

The magazine also reports on sightings of kangaroos in the United States. In July 1975, several people in Du Quoin, Illinois, reported seeing a kangaroo about 5 feet tall hopping through corn fields. A police officer even gave chase but lost the trail. The article notes that these are not isolated incidents, with previous kangaroo reports from Illinois and a decade-old sighting in the New England states and Ohio. The author suggests that several kangaroos might be living unnoticed in the American countryside, noting that the Macropus giganteus can grow to 5 feet tall and leap 25 feet.

Further expanding on unusual animal reports, the article mentions escaped chimpanzees from a Florida movie set that were reportedly still seen years later and may have multiplied. It also discusses the "Sandman" of Florida, a creature described as larger than a chimp, accompanied by a foul odor, and fond of chasing automobiles. A more bizarre report from 1949, investigated by Ivan T. Sanderson, suggested a 15-foot-tall penguin might have been responsible for sightings in Florida, speculating that a large, fur-covered Antarctic penguin could have been deposited there by an ocean current.

Other exotic animal reports include wild monkeys shot and killed in Tennessee and a large Himalayan brown bear that was shot and killed by police in New Jersey in 1967, with no clear explanation for its presence.

Ridiculous Reptiles and Unidentified Snakes

The author, John A. Keel, shares his personal interest in herpetology, mentioning his collection of "2-headed" sand boas and 3-fanged cobras. He discusses the legendary "hoop snake," which is said to coil into a hoop and roll away at high speed, and the "milk snake," reputed to steal milk from cows' udders. While these are considered myths, stories about them persist.

More concerning are the reports of genuinely dangerous snakes. Keel identifies the black mamba of Africa and the bushmaster of Central America as the only two snakes aggressive enough to chase humans, with their bites being nearly always fatal. He then recounts a particularly strange snakebite incident that occurred in Kenton, Ohio, on June 9, 1946. Orland Packer was bitten by a large snake, described as about 8 feet long and 4 inches in diameter, with a flat head and a diamond shape on its back. The snake also bit his horse. Packer suffered severe injuries, including a broken ankle and a wound that refused to heal, leading to a partial heel amputation and prolonged illness. Keel notes that the symptoms suggest a venom unlike that of known snakes, possibly related to the bushmaster's ability to cause blood to lose its ability to coagulate.

The article also touches upon the existence of flying snakes in South America and Asia, which hunt by dropping from trees. It concludes this section by stating that the U.S. is home to a variety of peculiar wildlife, including reports of West Virginia's "Mothman," ancient pterodactyls, and giant sea serpents in lakes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the existence of unexplained phenomena and unusual creatures inhabiting the natural world, particularly within the United States. John A. Keel, the author and likely editor, presents these reports not as mere fantasy but as potentially valid accounts of unknown animals or phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into the unexplained, encouraging readers to consider the possibility that "there are all kinds of things out there and one day you might see one of them yourself."

The magazine highlights the difficulty in proving the existence of these creatures due to their elusive nature, drawing parallels between large, unknown animals and well-documented cases like elephants or escaped zoo animals. The overall tone is one of wonder and curiosity about the mysteries that persist in the modern world, blending reports of cryptids with folklore and personal anecdotes.