You’re not the first to wonder.

Wisconsin is no stranger to legendary creatures, and the Hodag holds a proud place in the state’s folklore—especially around Rhinelander. With its spiky back and theatrical flair, the Hodag is a well-loved symbol of Northwoods mythmaking.

But the Sconster? It’s... something else.

Where the Hodag’s legacy is loud and well-documented, stories of the Sconster are more scattered—passed along in quiet conversations, odd encounters, and secondhand recollections. Some say it’s been spotted near meadows at dusk. Others recall a presence in the woods that can’t quite be explained. The accounts are varied, and that’s part of what makes the legend so intriguing.

Is it related to the Hodag? Maybe. It’s possible they share a common root somewhere deep in the tangled underbrush of Wisconsin folklore. But the differences in appearance, behavior, and temperament (insofar as anyone can guess) suggest that if the two are connected, they’ve taken very different paths.

In any case, the Sconster isn’t here to compete with the Hodag—or with anything else. We’re just along for the story, gathering clues, listening to locals, and wondering aloud. Because sometimes, the not-knowing is the best part.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

In the first weeks of June, Wisconsin does not burst into summer — it leans into it. The days stretch softly at the edges, and the woods take on that particular green that only comes once a year, when everything feels new but already familiar.

Along the shadowed trails, the ferns uncurl with a deliberateness that puts human clocks to shame. Their fronds, still damp with the memory of May rains, reach quietly toward the filtered light. If you kneel and wait, you can almost hear them moving.

This is the season of wood thrushes and wood smoke, of creeks fat with spring’s melt and deer trails turning from muck to memory. It’s when you remember, suddenly, that Wisconsin is not something you drive across — it’s something you listen to.

Some say this is when the Sconster returns.

They don't mean it dramatically — not in the way of old monsters or fairy tales. They mean it the way you might mention a family of foxes you saw once and never again. Or the way your grandfather swore he heard something step where no man should be, back near the old pines, but didn’t press the issue.

You won’t find it by trying. But you might feel it — a presence as old as the land and just as quiet. A nudge of wind on the back of your neck when the woods are still. A feeling that you are being regarded not unkindly, from just beyond the edge of the clearing.

The Sconster is less a creature and more a question. One the land asks of those who walk it slowly, notice the trout lilies before they vanish, and take their coffee outside even when it's still too cold.

And so we go — not to hunt, not to find, but to be present. In that, we are closer than we think.

Photo by Benjamin Jameson on Unsplash

A not-so-serious packing list for exploring Wisconsin’s wild places (and maybe spotting something mysterious)

So you’re heading out into the woods — maybe to track the elusive Sconster, or maybe just to stretch your legs and clear your head. Either way, Wisconsin’s wild spaces have a way of surprising you. Here’s a short, Sconnie-approved checklist to help you pack smart, stay warm, and enjoy whatever you find out there.

1. Layers, Always

That forecast for “42 and sunny”? Classic Wisconsin misdirection. Start with a thermal base, add a flannel or hoodie, and top it with a jacket that’s seen a few seasons. If it’s blaze orange, even better — the Sconster appreciates safety.

2. Snacks That Crinkle

You’re not you when you're hungry, and the same might go for cryptids. Bring snacks with substance: trail mix (the kind with too many M&Ms), granola bars, and meat sticks. Keep it tidy, though — pack out what you pack in. The Sconster’s mysterious, not messy.

3. Real Footwear

This isn’t a stroll through the outlet mall. Waterproof boots, wool socks, and a willingness to step in a puddle you can’t see the bottom of — those are your real allies out here. Bonus points if they already have some mud on them.

4. Something to Record Your Findings

You probably won’t get a clear photo of the Sconster — they’re sneaky like that — but you will want to jot down odd tracks, flickers in the trees, or what the forest smelled like just before dusk. Whether it’s a pocket notebook or a Notes app, document the vibe.

5. A Good Attitude

You might not spot the Sconster. But you might find a perfect patch of sunlight through the trees, or hear a loon call echo off a hidden lake. That’s part of the legend. Stay curious, stay respectful, and keep your eyes open. There’s more out there than you think.

Final Tip: Whether or not you cross paths with the Sconster, you’ll return with a story worth telling. That’s kind of the point.

Photo by Michael Patterson on Unsplash