It starts as a noise you can't quite name, a scream that crawls up your spine. It comes from deep in the woods, where the light fades faster and even the wind seems to hesitate. Some say it's a cougar, others a trick of the wind. But in the Ozark Mountains, there's another name for it, the howler.

This episode collects chilling eyewitness accounts across centuries — from settlers and Civil War soldiers to modern hikers — describing a massive, catlike creature, glowing eyes, and a bone-deep howl. We explore the evidence, local folklore, and scientific explanations while leaving the question open: what prowls the Ozarks after dark?