Yoh-Yoh is it Arizona’s Werewolf or Skin-Walker by Mitch Waite
Traveling the Mogollon Rim in search of stories dealing with cryptozoology, the astute listener might encounter some very strange and bizarre stories of Yoh-Yoh. This creature is described as being half man and half wolf. It stands about six feet tall on its hind legs, has hairy human type arms and shoulders, but has the head of a wolf. The yellow eyes are said to be hypnotic in nature. It is unclear if it would be classified as a werewolf, a skin-walker or something unknown.
According to classic myth and legend a werewolf is described as a lycanthrope (wolf and man), with the ability to shape shift from one state to the other or to a anthropomorphic wolf-like creature. The purpose of the shape shifting ability is due to a curse and is due to being bitten by another werewolf. The transformation occurs during the full moon, and is not used for hunting. Usually, the change is to perpetuate the curse to other humans or to feed upon human flesh. The range of the werewolf is world-wide.
A Skin-Walker is quite a different case. The Navajo Tribe name is Yee Naaldlooshii. They are believed to be a person who is a practitioner of the Witchery Way, and can transform to any animal they desire through wearing the skin of that particular animal. They are said to be able to change into coyote, wolf, owl, fox, or crow depending on the physical characteristics or abilities needed. The range of the Skin-walker is mostly contained to the Indian Reservation near the Four Corners area of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.
Yoh-Yoh reports have been near St Johns, Arizona. Usually they are spotted on moonless nights near the shoulder of the Highway 666 (now renamed Highway 191). The creature is very agile, and can easily leap the four strand road right-of-way barbed wire fence to disappear into the forests. It also might be mentioned this section of highway is very near the Navajo Nation Reservation.
One encounter was from a driver who was traversing the length of Highway 191 between Witch Wells and Saint Johns. It was a very dark and starless night. As the car topped over the crest of a hill, the headlights settled on a dark mass in the middle of the road. At first, she thought it was a person squatting in the center of the road. She slammed on her brakes narrowly missing the person. As she passed, the creature stood up to full height, and looked at her as she slid by. It scared her so bad, she hit the gas and did not stop until she was in the middle of town.
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