Come On Out, You Little Devil...

Located in southern New Jersey, Pine Barrens is more than just a forest. Forged from flames, it is home to stunted trees called “pygmy pines” that depend on fires to reproduce. The area is also known for swampy patches of peat and crumbling ruins of long-forgotten factories. And it was the location of one of the bloodiest mob hits in the history of HBO's The Sopranos. Not only that, spirits are said to walk among its graveyards and ghost towns. But some believe an even more unusual resident lurks in those woods. Could something stranger and spookier also call the Pine Barrens home?


One group believes so. Known as the Devil Hunters, they search for the Jersey Devil, a mythical creature almost as popular as Bigfoot. It is said to have haunted the woods for more than 270 years. According to local legend, the Jersey Devil is a flying monster with an enormous wingspan, the face of a horse, bright red eyes and hooves.



Different versions of the legend describe the devil’s origin. One claims a young woman fell in love with a British soldier during the American Revolution. Patriots in her town cursed her pregnancy and she gave birth to a devilish creature as a result. Another version dates back to 1735. It declares the wife of a local drunk, pregnant with her 13th child, was so weary she wished her unborn baby was a devil. After delivering her child, she was horrified to discover her wish had come true. In all versions of the story, the bewildering baby was set loose into the forest. Sightings since then have provided the stuff of legend.


Today, a group called the Devil Hunters makes regular expeditions into the barrens to track the devil. Members of the organization comb the million-acre forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature. Their name to the contrary, the group only seeks to learn more about the devil and has no desire to capture or kill it. Certain clues help them in their quest. For instance, wails or other eerie noises are signs the devil is close.

Their first expedition took place in May 1999. Since, the Devil Hunters have made numerous excursions into the Pine Barrens. They venture into the woods about once or twice every season and have gone on seven hunts so far this year. But several others join the search without ever leaving the comfort of their sofas and chairs. Their membership also includes research associates, an online network from all over the world that combs reported sightings for clues. Fake reports are fairly easy to spot. As 30-year-old member Laura Leutner told a New York Times reporter, “The devil at a busy intersection in Philadelphia, getting out of a cab? No way.”

But, for those who set out into the woods, why do it? Why stomp through overgrown brush, pushing past branches and bushes? Why step around headstones in local cemeteries often in the dead of night? Worst of all, why put up with all those bugs? The barrens are infested with ticks and lots of other creepy-crawlies.

Like other urban legends, the myth of the Jersey Devil probably has a strong pull because it satisfies a need. For one thing, it provides a strong warning for us to heed. Most urban legends are cautionary tales that tell of dangers off the beaten path or hidden in the dark. The Jersey Devil is no different. Long ago, it likely warned young children not to stray into the forest at night.

The Jersey Devil also satisfies our need for a puzzle to piece together or a mystery to solve. The unknown will always be intriguing, no matter what form it takes. For some Devil Hunters, I would imagine, the search itself provides enough satisfaction. And searching for something strange and unusual can be an adventure unlike any other. So if you ever take a trip to New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, keep an eye out. Who knows what you’ll see when you wander into those woods?


To learn more about the Devil Hunters, check out their website.