Skinwalker Ranch

Uintah Basin, Utah

The Skinwalker Ranch, aka Sherman Ranch, is a 512-acre property located in the Uinta Basin, Utah that boasts more than its fair share of unexplained phenomena. From UFOs and cattle mutilations to shapeshifting entities and rumors of secret government projects, the location is an absolute hub of activity and as such has been recognized as the most scientifically studied paranormal hotspot on the planet.

Historically the ranch sits on UteTribe land, though the term skin-walker has its origins in Navajo culture. Directly translating to “by means of it, it goes on all fours, a skinwalker is a witch that is capable of possessing animals and humans, able to walk around in their bodies as harbingers of death or bad omens.

From Sherman to Skinwalker

Reports of skinwalker activity on the ranch first appeared in 1996 when a series of articles written by investigative journalist George Knapp appeared in the Salt Lake City Deseret News. These stories detailed the claims of the Sherman family, who after purchasing the ranch in 1994 began to experience various frightening paranormal encounters, most notably with that of a skinwalker. Terry Sherman would tell of the night that started it all and projected the then-Sherman Ranch into infamy. He claims that reacting to a loud noise from outside he hurriedly went to investigate. Upon stepping out onto his porch he encountered what he stated was a wolf, larger than any he had ever seen before. Quickly fetching his gun, Terry fired several shots into the animal, which as he further described had absolutely no effect on the animal, as if the shots went right through it. When the wolf finally departed, Terry gave chase though not for very long as its tracks quickly disappeared, seemingly vanishing into thin air.

The family would go on to tell of many more encounters during their time on the ranch including mysterious objects in the sky, disembodied voices, and cattle mutilations. In 1996, the Shermans sold the property to Robert Bigelow just two years after they bought it. 

Enter NIDSci

Robert Bigelow, was an eccentric millionaire and the founder of the National Institute for Discovery Science, a research organization created to study fringe sciences. He and NIDSci would use the ranch as a research hub for the next several years.

What Did They Find?

It seems that to date, if the research produced any definitive proof of paranormal activity at the ranch the team chose not to make the information public. However, NIDSci researchers did from time to time add to the mystery that is Skinwalker Ranch by sharing their own stories of the mysterious entities and events they encountered throughout their time at the location, including a particular account of cattle mutilation in which the cow had been completely disemboweled though there was no sign of blood surrounding the body. Stranger still, researchers would also point out that the occurrence happened in broad daylight with many claiming to have seen the animal alive and well within an hour of the gruesome find. The NIDSCi would disband in 2004 but maintain ownership of the property until 2016 when it was sold to an anonymous buyer.

Another Fugal Attempt?

In 2020, the new owner would reveal himself as Brandon Fugal who would announce plans for the History Channel to use the property for shooting the reality tv show, “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch”. On the show, Fugal and his team of researchers attempt to do what the NIDSCi that came before could not, capture proof of and explain the phenomena that so famously occur at the ranch. 

_{Sources:
history.com}