I live in a wooded area, I am hearing an animal sound, how do I go about identifying it?

Have you looked for tracks in the area where the noise is coming from? If you can find fresh tracks that would identify the likely source of the animal sound.

Not knowing where you live it could be most anything. Next time you have fried chicken throw the bones on the back porch after dark and then watch, see who comes to dinner.

Could be raccoons, bobcat, bear, or someones pet out roaming for the night.

Take a flashlight and go check. If you don't come back, we'll be able to narrow it down to relatively large mammals (bear, mountain lion, etc.). If you do come back, you'll be able to tell us.

Call your local redneck. He will know.