Yowiehunters Forum

I live less than 10km from a location where a reported sighting that has appeared in the yowie hunters witness accounts.

As it is very dry I have set up some water drinking stations for all wildlife to access. (locations only accessible by 4wd). Next to one of the drinking stations a gum tree that was healthy, 4 - 5 inches across in diameter was twisted and snapped clean off at a height around 1.8-2 meters from the ground. (there has been no wind, no storms to cause this and all surrounding tree's are perfectly fine).
very strange.

in another area close by I walk my dog and I have heard recently on two occasions a single loud tree knock in close proximity. the forest is extremely thick in this area. at the time I thought it was someone in the bushes being an idiot. however upon closer inspection no human could easily access that area.

I see tall gumtree sapplings bent over or arched over. some where the treetop is pinned down and intertwined and weaved onto other trees with sticks to keep them arched over and in position.

quite often trees and logs look somewhat placed across the 4wd trails - not fallen naturally. the only option is to turn around and go back.

a neighbour had some goats and sheep gone overnight while he was at home (asleep I presume). two were dragged into his dam and drowned and the rest gone without a trace.

I had a beautiful pet parrot which passed away so I buried him on a crest of a mountain top which overlooked the valley. a peaceful spot with a nice view. I returned to the spot a year later and to my shock and horror found the skeletal remains of two wallabies and one goat right on top of where I buried my pet bird. no-one knows except me where my pet is buried. all very odd.

I have not seen a yowie. but something is out there. I am terrified. I won't even go outside to get firewood at night or to put the rubbish out. can anyone tell me what the tree breaks and bending mean?

I wouldn’t worry yet, if there is a yowie and they don’t want you in the area they’ll make it very clear. The bones on your birds grave may seem odd but it’s probably the least worrying part of your story. Personally I don’t find any of it that distressing. I’d say the wood knocks are one telling the other you’re there, I’ve never taken knocks as a threat. I’ve had some negative experiences with broken sticks but not the size you’re describing. I’ve found small sticks pushed into mud in strange ways which upon further investigation have resulted in some activity that was definitely telling me I was heading the wrong way. Large trees snapped near water is probably one family claiming that water hole. Same goes for the trees bent over, means nothing to us, to them it means our family is here. No human might no where your bird was but every animal in the bush would smell it. What area are you in if you don’t mind me asking?

location: steep mountain terrain close to Toowoomba in southeast Queensland.

also with the logs placed completely across the 4wd trails. one-day I thought I could move one of the logs aside so I could pass through the trail. as I placed my hand on the log off to my right about 5 metre's away coming from behind a large stump and thick lantana at about the height of 1.8 metre's. I heard an eerie shriek unlike anything I had heard before. sounded a bit like it was trying to imitate a possum and doing not a very good job of it. I ran away in the opposite direction as fast as I could. getting the feeling of "you leave that log right there" - which I did and then returned home. personally I don't think I would handle seeing a yowie. I would have a heart attack on the spot.

also with the logs placed completely across the 4wd trails. one-day I thought I could move one of the logs aside so I could pass through the trail. as I placed my hand on the log off to my right about 5 metre's away coming from behind a large stump and thick lantana at about the height of 1.8 metre's. I heard an eerie shriek unlike anything I had heard before. sounded a bit like it was trying to imitate a possum and doing not a very good job of it. I ran away in the opposite direction as fast as I could. getting the feeling of "you leave that log right there" - which I did and then returned home. personally I don't think I would handle seeing a yowie. I would have a heart attack on the spot.

Can you post a photo of the tree break?

I know the Toowoomba range very well. Where is the nearest running creek?

Don't worry about them too much. Respect their markers and if you suspect they are about, let them know you mean no harm out loud. And always carry an apple so if confronted you can 'pay the toll to the troll'.

I live in a similar sort of area, and am in the bush several times a week (off road, on walking trails). I see twisted trees, bent (and locked down) saplings, teepees, etc all the time. There are many examples of such things where I am, and some are literally right on the roadsides. I took some pics of a huge teepee just last week. Was about 5 metres off the road, and in clear view of the fairly frequent walkers and mountain bike riders passing there.

My advice to you is not to think about it too much. Logic tells you that these structures are man-made, given there are so many of them in locations where any kind of non-human builder would be 'caught' very easily. If people are doing such things in highly public places, then they're also doing them in less public places. It's a young male thing .. you know. Boy scouts, school groups, young guys camping/fishing etc. Just a bit of fun in the woods. t's quite a pleasant thing to do, looking for just the right pieces of deadfall, etc, and trying to get it all balanced just right.

The bent saplings are just more 'fun in the woods'. It's a quick and easy thing to do, and doesn't kill the sapling. They're even used as ridge poles for a tarp or poncho tents. The twisted trees are not so innocent, since the tree will almost certainly be killed. Not a nice thing to do, if deliberate. The larger ones are almost always the victim of wind squalls. I've seen a row of huge trees demolished exactly like that in severe and sudden wind (twisted off, as it were), right next to trees which were untouched.

I will try to get a photo however it will only be on my phone camera. I don't know much about posting photos. will see what I can do. and I will not go there by myself.

various photos