Deep in the forests of New England lurks a creature older than the first tribes, older than the first settlers, older than the stories themselves. The Pukwudgie — small in stature, but deadly in intent — is said to stalk the woods with glowing eyes, poisoned darts, and a temper that flips from mischief to murder in a heartbeat. For centuries, Native legends warned travelers to stay away from the places where the forest suddenly goes quiet… because that’s where the Pukwudgie waits.
In this episode of Beyond the Campfire, Will and Steve break down the strange, unsettling reports tied to these woodland tricksters. From their connection to the Wampanoag people and the tragic tale of Maushop to modern encounters from hikers and hunters, the duo traces how a creature no taller than a child became one of the most feared beings in northeastern folklore. Shape-shifting, vanishing into thin air, luring people off trails — every story adds another layer to a legend that refuses to die.
As the cold winds of late autumn sweep through the trees, Will and Steve ask the question that every encounter seems to circle: are Pukwudgies merely stories told around campfires… or guardians of the woods who still watch from the shadows, waiting for anyone who wanders a little too far from the path?
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