The author of Wildcat Whistle, Phil Hoebing, is a Franciscan, a Quincy University Philosophy Professor, a Storyteller, and a Folklorist. He grew up in Adams County, Illinois, whose folklore has become nationally known through Harry Hyatt's book, Folklore from Adams County. Adams County borders the Mississippi River in midwestern Illinois. Phil Hoebing admits that he never took the hoop snake legend very seriously; he was more concerned about those pesky milk snakes that slowed down the Hoebing milk production during the summer months. However, he reluctantly admits that, as a child, he put horsehair into rainwater to determine whether or not that hair would really turn into snakes after eight or ten days. Weather predictions, folklore about snakes and turtles, and planting suggestions were a part of his youth in Adams County.