Within Higdon Case Files
Carl Higdon's Strange Day in Wyoming
Carl Higdon's 1974 report follows a dramatic sequence from a hunting trip to an alleged encounter, missing time, and recovery.
On this page
- The hunting trip and first unusual events
- The reported encounter with Ausso
- Recovery and the missing hours
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Introduction
Carl Higdon’s 25 October 1974 encounter in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest became one of the most discussed alleged UFO contact cases of the 1970s because of the unusual sequence Higdon described: a hunting trip that turned into an apparent encounter with a humanoid figure named “Ausso”, a period of missing time, and his later discovery by searchers in a confused state. The event is significant within UFO history not simply because of the extraordinary claims, but because investigators attempted to separate Higdon’s immediate memory of the event from details recovered later through interviews and hypnosis.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
According to Higdon’s account, the afternoon began as a normal elk hunt near Rawlins, Wyoming. The experience changed when he reported that his rifle shot behaved unlike a normal shot, after which he encountered an entity, entered a transparent cube-like craft, and later found himself unable to account for several hours. The surviving record comes largely from contemporary newspaper reporting, UFO research organisations, and later investigative publications, meaning the timeline is well documented as a historical claim but not independently verified as proof of an extraterrestrial event.[Think Anomalous]thinkanomalous.comcarl higdonThink AnomalousCarl Higdon Abduction, 1974 - Think Anomalous…
The hunting trip and first unusual events
The elk hunt turns into an anomaly
Higdon, a Wyoming oil-field worker, went elk hunting in the McCarty Canyon area of the Medicine Bow National Forest on 25 October 1974. In his account, he encountered several elk and attempted to shoot one with his rifle. He later said the weapon produced an abnormal firing experience: there was little or no expected recoil, the bullet appeared to travel unusually slowly, and it fell roughly 50 to 60 feet away rather than travelling normally toward the target. He recovered what he described as a damaged bullet from the ground.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
This moment became the first major point of dispute in the case. Supporters of the report regarded the damaged projectile as a possible physical trace connected with the encounter. Investigators associated with UFO groups examined the bullet and described it as unusually deformed. However, the publicly available record does not provide a complete modern forensic chain of custody or a widely accepted independent analysis that establishes what caused the damage.[Think About It Docs]thinkaboutitdocs.comcarl higdons humanoid ufo encounterThink About It Docs1974 Carl Higdon Abduction | Medicine Bow Wyoming CE-IV — Ausso Entity EncounterOctober 24, 2012…
After recovering the bullet, Higdon reported experiencing a strange sensation before seeing a humanoid figure nearby. He described the being as tall, wearing a dark suit with a distinctive belt, and having unusual physical characteristics. The figure introduced himself as “Ausso One” in later accounts.[Think About It Docs]thinkaboutitdocs.comcarl higdons humanoid ufo encounterThink About It Docs1974 Carl Higdon Abduction | Medicine Bow Wyoming CE-IV — Ausso Entity EncounterOctober 24, 2012
The reported encounter with Ausso
The meeting in the forest
Higdon’s account changed from a hunting incident into a reported close encounter when he said Ausso approached him and communicated with him. Higdon later described being offered a packet containing pills and being invited to accompany the figure. The details of this interaction became more elaborate during later interviews and hypnotic sessions, but the central claim remained consistent: he believed he was taken from the forest against his normal understanding of events.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
The most distinctive feature of Higdon’s testimony was the description of a transparent, cube-shaped craft. He said he entered the object and could see the surrounding landscape through its walls. Later recollections obtained during hypnosis included additional descriptions of controls, other beings, and a destination he interpreted as being away from Earth.[ufoexperiences.blogspot.com]ufoexperiences.blogspot.comUF Oexperiences: CARL HIGDONCARL HIGDON - 3July 14, 2006…
A key issue for researchers is the difference between Higdon’s original report and later recovered memories. Contemporary accounts indicate that he remembered some core events before hypnosis, including the bullet incident and meeting the figure. More detailed descriptions of the journey and destination emerged during regression sessions conducted by Dr R. Leo Sprinkle.[Ufologie]ufologie.patrickgross.orgUFOs at close sight: The Carl Higdon close encounter of the 3rd kind, 1974…
The missing-time period
The most important part of the timeline is the gap between Higdon’s encounter in the forest and his eventual recovery. Higdon reported that he could not account for several hours of his experience. Investigators treated this missing period as central because it was during this time that the alleged transport and examination supposedly occurred.[Nicap]nicap.orgUFO Phenomena and the Behavioral ScientistUFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist…
According to later accounts, Higdon remembered more of this interval during hypnosis. He described being taken inside the craft, transported elsewhere, and subjected to some form of examination before being returned. These memories formed the basis of the case’s later classification as an alleged abduction encounter rather than simply a sighting of an unusual object or figure.[Archive.ph]archive.phHunted By Aliens: The Higdon Ordeal | Mysterious UniverseHunted By Aliens: The Higdon Ordeal | Mysterious Universe
Recovery and the missing hours
Searchers find Higdon near his truck
Later on 25 October, Higdon was found near his vehicle in a confused condition after seeking help through a citizens’ band radio. Reports from investigators state that he appeared distressed and unable to give a clear explanation of what had happened. He was subsequently taken for medical attention at Rawlins.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
The location of his truck became one of the case’s most discussed physical details. Supporters of the UFO interpretation argued that the vehicle had been found in terrain where it should not have been able to travel normally. They considered this an important supporting element because it appeared to provide evidence beyond Higdon’s personal testimony.[Think About It Docs]thinkaboutitdocs.comcarl higdons humanoid ufo encounterThink About It Docs1974 Carl Higdon Abduction | Medicine Bow Wyoming CE-IV — Ausso Entity EncounterOctober 24, 2012…
Critics have pointed out that the available documentation of the vehicle circumstances is incomplete, and later retellings often rely on accounts from investigators rather than a full independent reconstruction of the terrain, route, and vehicle condition. As with the bullet claim, the disagreement centres less on whether the event was reported than on how much evidential weight the reported anomalies should receive.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
The investigation that followed
The case quickly attracted attention from UFO investigators, including Dr R. Leo Sprinkle, a psychologist at the University of Wyoming who studied alleged UFO experiences. Sprinkle interviewed Higdon and conducted hypnotic regression sessions beginning in November 1974. His investigation later became part of his chapter on the Higdon case in UFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist (1979).[Think Anomalous]thinkanomalous.comcarl higdonThink AnomalousCarl Higdon Abduction, 1974 - Think Anomalous…
Sprinkle’s approach was important because it created a more detailed record of Higdon’s narrative, including descriptions that were not present in the first reports. Supporters argued that the consistency of Higdon’s account and the absence of obvious signs of deception supported his sincerity. Sceptics, however, note that hypnosis can introduce uncertainties because recovered memories are not automatically reliable records of past events.[Ufologie]ufologie.patrickgross.orgUFOs at close sight: The Carl Higdon close encounter of the 3rd kind, 1974…
Why Higdon’s timeline remains disputed
The strength of the Carl Higdon case lies in the unusual combination of a personal account, claimed physical traces, and an investigation that began soon after the event. Unlike many UFO stories that appear only years later, Higdon’s report was investigated while memories and witnesses connected to the search were still available.[Think Anomalous]thinkanomalous.comcarl higdonThink AnomalousCarl Higdon Abduction, 1974 - Think Anomalous…
At the same time, the case’s limitations are equally important. The central event — the encounter with Ausso and the journey in a transparent craft — rests primarily on Higdon’s testimony. The supporting details, such as the bullet and vehicle claims, have been debated but do not provide a universally accepted explanation or verification.[UFO Evidence]ufoevidence.comUFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceUFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974…
For historians of UFO reports, the Medicine Bow incident is therefore best understood as a detailed witness narrative surrounded by contested physical claims. Its lasting importance comes from the way the timeline combines ordinary circumstances — a hunting trip, a missing person search, medical examination, and interviews — with an extraordinary interpretation of what happened during the unexplained hours.[Nicap]nicap.orgUFO Phenomena and the Behavioral ScientistUFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist…
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Endnotes
1.
Source: nicap.org
Title: UFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist
Link:https://www.nicap.org/books/Behavioral_Scientist/UFO_Phenomena_and_Behavioral_Scientist.pdf
Source snippet
UFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist...
2.
Source: archive.ph
Title: Hunted By Aliens: The Higdon Ordeal | Mysterious Universe
Link:https://archive.ph/Hlavf
3.
Source: ufoexperiences.blogspot.com
Title: UF Oexperiences: CARL HIGDON
Link:https://ufoexperiences.blogspot.com/2006/07/carl-higdon-3.html
Source snippet
CARL HIGDON - 3July 14, 2006...
Published: July 14, 2006
4.
Source: ufoexperiences.blogspot.com
Title: carl higdon
Link:https://ufoexperiences.blogspot.com/2006/07/carl-higdon.html
5.
Source: ufoevidence.com
Title: UFO Evidence Carl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidence
Link:https://ufoevidence.com/case/carl-higdon-abduction/
Source snippet
UFO EvidenceCarl Higdon Abduction – UFOevidenceOctober 25, 1974...
Published: October 25, 1974
6.
Source: thinkanomalous.com
Title: carl higdon
Link:https://www.thinkanomalous.com/carl-higdon.html
Source snippet
Think AnomalousCarl Higdon Abduction, 1974 - Think Anomalous...
7.
Source: thinkaboutitdocs.com
Title: carl higdons humanoid ufo encounter
Link:https://www.thinkaboutitdocs.com/carl-higdons-humanoid-ufo-encounter/
Source snippet
Think About It Docs1974 Carl Higdon Abduction | Medicine Bow Wyoming CE-IV — Ausso Entity EncounterOctober 24, 2012...
Published: October 24, 2012
9.
Source: ufologie.patrickgross.org
Link:https://ufologie.patrickgross.org/htm/higdon74.htm
Source snippet
UFOs at close sight: The Carl Higdon close encounter of the 3rd kind, 1974...
10.
Source: paranormal-strange.fandom.com
Title: Ausso One
Link:https://paranormal-strange.fandom.com/wiki/Ausso_One
11.
Source: cryptidz.fandom.com
Title: Ausso One
Link:https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Ausso_One
12.
Source: genealogybank.com
Link:https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/newspapers/all/usa/wyoming/rawlins
13.
Source: genealogybank.com
Link:https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/newspapers/newspaper-letters/usa/wyoming/rawlins
15.
Source: ldsgenealogy.com
Link:https://ldsgenealogy.com/WY/Rawlins.htm
Additional References
16.
Source: regressionjournal.org
Link:https://regressionjournal.org/jrt_article/psychotherapeutic-services-for-persons-who-claim-ufo-experiences-leo-sprinkle-is-29/
Source snippet
The International Journal of Regression Therapy...
17.
Source: youtube.com
Title: The Carl Higdon UFO Abduction
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi4Jwtk9EAo
Source snippet
Carl Higdon abduction The Carl Higdon Abduction | An Alien Scours the Galaxy for Food The Why Files...
Published: October 25, 1974
18.
Source: thequanfinityproject.org
Link:https://thequanfinityproject.org/vanishing_protocol_chapter_three_final
19.
Source: dragonattheendoftime.com
Link:https://dragonattheendoftime.com/patrick-mcguire-experiencer-alien-encounters-contactee-abductee/
20.
Source: mydarkpath.com
Link:https://www.mydarkpath.com/77-carl-higdon
21.
Source: music.amazon.co.uk
Link:https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/3b85bdd8-5f5f-4059-be30-7e37649800a6/episodes/5a806d31-2b0d-4765-a609-079f1203e478/supernatural-girlz-the-carl-higdon-alien-abduction-story?tag=searcht-20
22.
Source: pod.wave.co
Link:https://pod.wave.co/podcast/mrballen-podcast-strange-dark-mysterious-stories/healed-and-hunted-campfire-stories-with-mrballen
23.
Source: goodreads.com
Title: UF O Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist by Richard W. Haines | Goodreads
Link:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4098418-ufo-phenomena-and-the-behavioral-scientist
24.
Source: youtube.com
Title: The Alien Abduction of Carl Higdon
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=549s5IlXavg
Source snippet
The Carl Higdon UFO Abduction- October 25, 1974...
Published: October 25, 1974
25.
Source: oldnews.com
Link:https://www.oldnews.com/en/newspapers/united-states/wyoming/rawlins