The feeling of being watched in Winneshiek County, Iowa

I arrived at the area at around 2 in the afternoon. I was in this location because it is an area that I have found signs of interest in the past. I began my hike down a maintenance road that is gated off to normal traffic. About a quarter of a mile down the road I dropped off into a dry creek bed to continue to the area. This creek bed makes for an easy travel rout and is a great place to look for tracks. After a lengthy walk I climbed out and headed into a dense section of timber and the hillside I was planning on scouting that day. I slowly worked my way along the hillside in a zig-zaging pattern so that I could thoroughly search the area. Along the hillside I did find 2 arches, several tree breaks, and an interesting structure of 3 small saplings woven together. As I continued up the hill my attention was focused on looking for more sign when a very quick sharp noise stopped me in my tracks. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was that I had herd, but I knew it was out of place. I was fairly certain that it had come from the top of the hill above me so I stayed in place and focused my attention in that direction. I stayed put for about 2-3 minutes trying to figure out what I had herd. As I stood there I began to get that uneasy feeling. Not fear, but the feeling of being watched, or something being “out of place”. I decided not to let my imagination get the better of me and began to take a couple of steps farther up the hill, but kept my eyes and ears focused on the crest of the hill. I had taken no more than 5 steps when the noise came again. This time I know I herd 2 very distinct, sharp “clacks”. It was 2 rocks being smacked together. This obviously stopped me again. I decided to just change direction and head back down the hill and out of the area.