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Haunted hunting camp ?

214K views 303 replies 118 participants last post by  NorthernPotterCo  
#1 ·
Our camp is an old CCC camp . Built in the 1930s the small cluster of buildings housed a good number of people .Most of the buildings are long gone , but our camp has remained . The building was the infirmary , housing the ill and injured workers .
My wife and I were asleep the second night of vacation , when I heard distinct footsteps through the bunkroom to the kitchen . In the morning I began to tell her what I had heard and she interupted to say that she,too,had heard the walking .The next three nights this was heard . We tried to think of a rational explanation , but one by one our theories were thrown out . At first it was quite freaky to say the least , but by the end of the week the sound was accepted and sleep was easier.
My brother came up the latter weekend . I told him that we believed the place was occupied by a ghost .He told us that he had heard these same noises as had a few other members of the camp over the last 30 years .
The sound I speak of is as if someone were walking in heeled boots across the hardwood floor a mere few feet from the bunks , into the kitchen area , then back through the sleeping quarters . Repeated through the night ! This was not the sound of a scurrying animal , but a slow cadence of footsteps - perhaps a doctor checking on patients !
Anyone have a similar story of their camp ? Yikes :eek:....Finn
 
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#2 ·
That story would bring me in from the campfire early or maybe keep me out there all night I guess....I hope to God that I have the souls of past hunters walking the hills around camp with me, or else this guy does alot of talking to them that might be considered silly.

We rebuilt in 2001, somedays I wish we hadn't.
 
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#3 ·
They are out there ,Rooster ! I cannot explain some things that are heard there , nor has any other member. An accepted tick of the camp storied past !
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#4 ·
Sometimes think I can still hear Dad yelling at me at camp when I'm working around the place and he's been gone since '95. I've actually shut the weedeater off, because I thought someone had yelled at me like he used to, then realized there ain't nobody there but me.

Probably just some old echoes still bouncin' around between the ridges? Both he and my uncle liked to holler back and forth across the valley years ago in the evening, from camp to farm and back again. Used to drive my mom crazy.

Back in the 1950s, my uncle hollered-up a farmer who was cutting firewood just up over the ridge from where my camp is now. Uncle waited until the guy shut his chainsaw off and gave it a whirl. The guy's wife had called over to my uncle's farm to see if Unc could yell over there and tell her hubby that their house was afire. He got the message, scooted over the ridge and took care of it.

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Could be footsteps in that old CCC camp. Could just be wood framing and flooring expanding and contracting, too? Think I like the footsteps alternative better.
 
#5 ·
I guess you can't count anything out in those old camps. Ours was built around the same time as yours and it just has that feel of "you are never alone" when you think you are. Whether it is the spirits of the great hunters past, or the spirits of the members who hauled all the lumber 3 miles deep into the beaverdam run road by horseback back in the 30's, I don't know, but the feeling never goes away. Unfortunately (or is this fortunate?
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) I have never really heard anything out of the ordinary except the occasional bear growling REALLY loud.......but then again, that could be the snoring from some of the other members that I take along! Now that sound, yeah, it still echoes through the hills!
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I love the stories of old camps, keep em coming guys!
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#8 ·
I don't have a camp story, but I had something happen to me before, when I was 22 I was hunting with my uncle 2nd week of rifle outside of greenville pa on a pipleline near my grandparents and aunts place, it was really hot over 80 degrees out, we weren't seeing anything, my uncle and his friend posted me and went on a long drive, I didn't expect much as we had done this all day and had yet to see a deer, my grandpa had passed about 6 years before but lived his whole life right in this immediate area, he hunted here with his kids and family all his life, I have a picture of me and him in the front yard when I was 2 just me him and his shotgun him getting ready to go hunting, so anyways I started talking to my grandpa telling him it felt good to hunt the same places he did and that I was glad him and my uncles introduced me to hunting and that I didn't care if I saw anything it was enough to enjoy a beautiful day in the woods, just then I heard a twig snap beside me and looked over and there was a buck standing there, (pre-AR), I pulled up my gun and shot and the buck fell over. I just sat there stunned, it was my first buck, an 8 point, my uncle helped me get it back to my grandma's house, I waited till I was alone with her later to tell her what happened, she always said that my grandpa helped me get my first buck and that when us boys hunted in those woods he was with us. sorry to derail the thread, it didn't happen at camp, but this was one ghost I was happy to have around.
 
#9 ·
buckhunter said:
I don't have a camp story, but I had something happen to me before, when I was 22 I was hunting with my uncle 2nd week of rifle outside of greenville pa on a pipleline near my grandparents and aunts place, it was really hot over 80 degrees out, we weren't seeing anything, my uncle and his friend posted me and went on a long drive, I didn't expect much as we had done this all day and had yet to see a deer, my grandpa had passed about 6 years before but lived his whole life right in this immediate area, he hunted here with his kids and family all his life, I have a picture of me and him in the front yard when I was 2 just me him and his shotgun him getting ready to go hunting, so anyways I started talking to my grandpa telling him it felt good to hunt the same places he did and that I was glad him and my uncles introduced me to hunting and that I didn't care if I saw anything it was enough to enjoy a beautiful day in the woods, just then I heard a twig snap beside me and looked over and there was a buck standing there, (pre-AR), I pulled up my gun and shot and the buck fell over. I just sat there stunned, it was my first buck, an 8 point, my uncle helped me get it back to my grandma's house, I waited till I was alone with her later to tell her what happened, she always said that my grandpa helped me get my first buck and that when us boys hunted in those woods he was with us. sorry to derail the thread, it didn't happen at camp, but this was one ghost I was happy to have around.
Cool story but are you sure you weren't dreaming? 2nd week of deer season and it was over 80 degrees??? I don't remember it ever being that warm
 
#10 ·
Plenty of stories around for sure . At least half of the members have heard these footsteps in the middle of the night . The cadence is what is the weird part . Clump , clump clump within a foot of our bunk ,out into the kitchen-pause -then back past the bunks . Nobody in camp but my wife and I Geeeeesh !!!
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#12 ·
I used to have a camp in Potter that was built in 1910 and added onto over the years. Behind the camp there used to be a small farm with a house and barn probably around the late 1800's. Nothing was left but afew stones used for the house foundation, and old barbwire embedded in trees. Things started to happen in the cabin like cupboard doors would open, and the bathroom door would close by itself. But the most interesting occurences happened when I had other guys at camp. A buddy and I were sitting at the table and the stereo was on, which was sitting on top of the fridge which was about 3 ft. from the table. All of a sudden the radio started crackling and started to go through stations by itself; we actually saw the needle moving on it. THe best was when another friend came up; the ghost must of had it in for this guy. He did most of the cooking. When he opened up the cupboard door all the paper plates came flying out at him, and some even landed in the same living room. Another time, same guy, almost got clobbered by some old bed frame boards. They were leaning against the wall by the TV for years, I just never moved them. He walks by them one day headed to the bathroom and the boards literally came flying at him; I know because I was sitting at the table only afew feet away. Another time I brought up an air conditioner. I took it out of the truck and when stepped up onto the porch the screendoor opened wide by itself. I said thank you to whomever opened it for me!
I now have a different camp in Warren County and this place too has a resident from the spirit world. I have a fireplace with a mantle with a wolf trap setting on it. The heavy chain from it just hangs down. I was sitting on the couch when I head a cling like sound. Thee was the chain swinging back and forth, and I mean swinging! There were no winds blowing or anything that could have made this chain swing. Pretty soon I would catch a glimpse of an old man with a white shirt wearing a white baseball cap with a black emblem on it, mostly standing in the kitchen. And NO, I am not crazy, I actually seen him afew times. One day an old woman drives in the driveway to visit. She said she was 91 years old, and that she and her husband were the original owners that built the camp. She said this camp and it's land was her husband's favorite place on earth and would come to it any time he had a free time. She said he seemed to spend more time at camp than at home. I asked about him and she stated he passed away years ago. THAN, she had him cremated; and out of respect for his beloved camp, she spread his ashes at this camp! I asked her, did he ever wear white shirts and a white baseball cap with a black emblem on it? She looked at me like she saw a ghost and said "how do you know that, that was his favorite attire"? I still see him once in a great while, still keeping tabs on his favorite place!
 
#15 ·
Well heres mine believe it or not..when I bought my summer house about 6 years ago there was a loft in the A frame wich I hated I wanted it to be a true A frame so we ripped out the loft..while doing this bit of deconstruction we found about 5 big black trash bags full of mens clothes...now this is on the river so I found it to be quite odd..I threw them out back at the burning pit to get rid of them later on..a few days later I was out at the camp by myself just cleaning up from the demo work and I was burning the old wood we tore out from the loft and I started to burn up the old bags of clothes as I was standing there poking the fire around I heard a voice that sounded like it was right directly behind me that sternly asked me "Hey what are you doing" I turned around to see who it was, it was so close that I thought someone was right there, there was nobody at all..as Im looking around to see who was playing tricks on me I noticed movement in the upstairs A frame back window..Im telling you I clearly seen someone looking out at me from that window..it was a young man..and no I wasnt even into the bourbon yet..now remember we tore the loft out so theres no way anyone coulda been in that window..I went inside and reluctanly went into the A frame and of course there was no one there..well a few weeks later once I started to get to know the neighbors we were talking about the previous owners and I came to find out that the clothes up in the loft had belonged to the prev. owners son who met an untimely death in a drug fight in Middletown and his face was pretty much blown off with a shotgun over a drug deal gone bad many years ago..Mom couldnt let go so she brought all his clothes out to the summer place and put them in the loft wich is also where this young man used to sleep..that wsa about 5 or so years ago and after all the clothes were gone I have never had any more experiences and I sure hope not to.
 
#16 ·
1998 I was 22, it was my first buck, I had to go home and shed layers at lunch only wored my orange hat, orange vest, and sweatshirt out with brushpants, shot the deer at 2:22 in the afternoon, always figured it was my lucky sweatshirt after that, that's one day I'll never forget.
 
#17 ·
Cool stories. At our families camp in Hillsgrove, Sullivan county one night I was in bed and I heard the most hideous shrill Meeeeoooowwww. I got up and looked out the window and saw a glowing white cat (it was pitch black out and I had no light). I called to my wife and she came to the window and saw it too, then it disappeared. I quit drinking years before this happenend so that wasn't to blame.
 
#18 ·
I have never had any problems, but my son has. Our camp was built in the 1930's, and I know very little of it's history.
The couch that he sleeps on a lot at the time was against a inside wall. On two different occasions while my son was there with just his dog he awoke with his dog barking and growling while looking toward the couch where he slept. Both time he tried to get up but couldn't, said it felt like some one or some thing had their hand on his shoulders holding him down. It would only last a short while then the feeling would disappear, his dog would quit growling and he could get up.
When we bought the place and before we did some renovations there was a old day bed where the couch was during these two experiences. The area was a small sitting room, with a small bedroom adjacent to it, we removed the wall and made it one area and added a addition as a bunk room. We have since moved the the couch to a outer wall and he has had no more problems.

I don't know if the camp is still haunted or not. I do know that after I pass from this life, it will be, if the good lord allows me to reside there. If not I hope that he will at lease allow be to visit during camp work, party weekends and hunting season. I will love to just hear the old stories again and listen to the new ones being made. I even promise not to cause a lot of trouble if things aren't done to my likings.
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#19 ·
I was once in camp many years ago, my father passed 2 years before this happened. The alarm went off on the first Saturday of archery and I shut it off and went back to sleep. I was awaken by the sound of my father shouting to get up and get out there. I laid there a while then got up and went out. I was setting in the tree stand thinking of what had happened when "3" not 1 but 3 bucks came through. I shot my first archery kill deer, a buck even. I thanked pop for the wake up call. Strange but TRUE.
 
#21 ·
Very cool stories guys. Great thread.

My families camp was built by my grandfather, great-grandfather, and great uncle. My grandfather has said when he goes up to camp by himself, he feels as if his dad and uncle are there with him. Even I have felt at times to be not alone, when there was no one else there.
 
#22 ·
I don't believe in the dead influencing our lives because all you hear is 99% Negative things. Throwing boards at you,changing radio stations, swinging chains to scare you,stomping around the camp ad-nausium. Only one "story" where the "ghost" may have helped someone.Others sound like guilt complexes.There are no ghosts or spirits that stand on clouds wearing white robes with brown belts and halo's and sandals watching over you or messing with you. If this nonsense were true how many Japs would be haunted by soldiers killed in the Bataan Death March,How many of us would be haunted by the people blasted in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, How many Plantation owners would be haunted by slaves? How many Germans would be haunted by Jews that were in the concentration camps? BUNK!!!We'd have heard about it by now. Flame -on! BTW, I believe in Jesus and his Father, GOD.I believe Jesus came back from the dead, no other can.Ghosts.....Come and GET me.
 
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#23 ·
Mr. Phelps said:
I don't believe in the dead influencing our lives because all you hear is 99% Negative things. Throwing boards at you,changing radio stations, swinging chains to scare you,stomping around the camp ad-nausium. Only one "story" where the "ghost" may have helped someone.Others sound like guilt complexes.There are no ghosts or spirits that stand on clouds wearing white robes with brown belts and halo's and sandals watching over you or messing with you. If this nonsense were true how many Japs would be haunted by soldiers killed in the Bataan Death March,How many of us would be haunted by the people blasted in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, How many Plantation owners would be haunted by slaves? How many Germans would be haunted by Jews that were in the concentration camps? BUNK!!!We'd have heard about it by now. Flame -on! BTW, I believe in Jesus and his Father, GOD.I believe Jesus came back from the dead, no other can.Ghosts.....Come and GET me.
Ummm...OK...sure, THAT'S an argument worth hijacking a thread over and I would gladly partake but I just realized I need to go slam my head in a car door
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Anyway, I have stories similiar to a lot of others on here and unlike the previous troll will share them without my soapbox.
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Our camp is located on Pine creek in Lycoming county and was built in the late 1800's. It started as a farm house which later turned hunting camp when my great grandfather and his friends started traveling up there on the train (no roads to get there). Needless to say plenty of people shared that place and one actually drowned up there in the creek out front. Well, one weekend there were quite a few of us up there over the summer for a relaxing weekend. The first night my grandmother headed up stairs to go to bed in one of the bunk rooms. As she lay there she felt someone get into bed with her. She glanced back over her shoulder and could make out a man's face and thought it was her son (my uncle) goofing off as his bed was in the same room. She started talked to him but got no response. Finally my uncle answered and she said "why don't you get into your own bed and let me go to sleep". He replied "Mom, I am in my own bed and was asleep before you just woke me up. What are you talking about". With that she quickly rolled over but the man was gone. That same weekend my 3 year old niece was sleeping in the bunk room back the hall. (at this point nobody knew about what happened to my grandmother). About an hour after she went to bed she came downstairs and told her mom "Can you please tell the man upstairs to quit talking with me, I can't go to sleep". He mom took her upstairs and asked her what she was talking about. My niece simply said that he was sitting beside her bed and kept talking but of course she was the only one in the room. The next day we asked her if she had seen this man before and she said "yeah, he's been here all weekend. In fact he's sitting in that chair right there now". Talk about goosebumps.
 
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#25 ·
The great thing about what you believe, is that it is what YOU believe.

These stories are awesome!! One cool thread.

I too plan on having my ashes spread at the camp. Not really so I can wonder the hills I love for ever...but because i want to try to ensure that the mountains that have meant so much too me will always mean something to my kids. I want them to have the reason to come visit that place...
 
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#26 ·
Is this Mr. Phelps guy for real? These are the people we have in our society today. Thinking about that is more scary than anything that can happen in an old camp. The sad part is, alot of people have the same mindset, many of which run this country we live in...Its madness.
 
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