Keith Lusher 07.11.25
I’m not a lot into folklore, however I’ve to say that the Tennessee Wild Man has intrigued me ever since I first realized about it whereas enjoying golf in Tennessee. This was throughout our household’s evacuation from Hurricane Katrina. I used to be enjoying a spherical of golf at Gallatin Nation Membership. I hit my ball into the woods, and the man I used to be paired up with (I forgot his title, it’s been a very long time since then) warned me to be careful for the Wild Man. Being from Louisiana, I didn’t know what that was. All I knew was our cryptid that goes by the title of Rougarou. Effectively, I requested a number of questions and he informed me all in regards to the legend of the Wild Man. That bought me considering: if I did are available in contact with the Wild Man, how would I defend myself? Higher but, what if I have been to hunt the Wild Man? How would I am going about doing that?
Bodily Description
The Tennessee Wild Man appears to be like like a furry human with pink or grey fur, brilliant pink eyes, and smells actually dangerous. Folks say it’s 7 to 9 ft tall, very robust and quick, and imply towards people, particularly canine and ladies. These pink eyes recommend good night time imaginative and prescient, giving it an enormous benefit in low-light situations.
The Wild Man makes a disturbing warfare cry that may scare anybody, and smells like a skunk. As a hunter, that sound might assist find the creature, but it surely may freeze you up when you should act quick. The creature is territorial and aggressive, focusing on canine and ladies, although assaults are by no means profitable.
Habitat
The Wild Man has been noticed in locations like Elizabethton, Bee Cliffs, and McNairy County. The Smoky Mountains and Cumberland Plateau provide the tough wilderness the place most sightings occur. The final identified sighting was over 20 years in the past close to Elizabethton when Robb Phillips noticed the Wild Man hanging onto a tree about 15 ft away throughout an evening hike.
Looking the Tennessee Wild Man
Given how huge, robust, and imply this factor is meant to be, searching the Wild Man would wish severe firepower and planning. This wouldn’t be like searching deer. This could be extra like searching a harmful predator that desires to harm people.
For weapons, I’d advocate no less than a .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum for the stopping energy wanted to drop one thing that measurement straight away. You’d must cease it instantly, no monitoring a wounded animal. A wounded Wild Man can be extraordinarily harmful and prone to assault fairly than flee.
Because the Wild Man appears to come back out largely at night time, thermal imaging or night time imaginative and prescient scopes can be vital. An excellent backup gun, like a .44 Magnum, can be wanted, too. Physique armor can be good since this factor might in all probability throw rocks or logs with sufficient drive to trigger severe injury.
This could positively have to be a gaggle hunt. Many teams of males have gone out trying to find the creature, however more often than not, they don’t discover something or one thing actually dangerous occurs. I’d advocate no less than 4 hunters working collectively, with good radio communication and predetermined escape routes.
Tennessee Tablefare?
Following the Louisiana rule of “should you kill it, you eat it,” the Wild Man would in all probability be edible, although I believe the meat can be powerful and have a robust style. Given how huge and muscular it’s speculated to be, the meat would seemingly be darkish and thick, like bear, however with a stronger taste due to what it eats and the creature’s dangerous scent.
Cooking it might want a variety of discipline dressing and getting old to interrupt down the powerful muscle. I’d advocate a protracted soak in acidic liquid like apple cider vinegar and citrus to assist make the meat tender and canopy up any robust flavors. Salt brining for no less than 24 hours would additionally assist draw out blood and any gamey flavors.
For cooking, low and gradual can be the best way to go. A conventional Tennessee session would encompass smoking the meat over hickory for 12-16 hours, like how mountain folks prepare dinner bear. Or, a strain cooker with root greens and many spices might break down the powerful elements. The liver and different organs would in all probability have to be thrown away as a result of we don’t know what the creature eats, and it may need parasites.
Current Sightings and Pop Tradition
In 2012, Matt Seeber claimed he noticed the Tennessee Wild Man close to his house in McNairy County. He stated it was 8 ft tall with pink hair and eyes, growling and chasing his canine. Current reviews embody caveman-like sounds heard in Oak Ridge in 2019.
The Wild Man has appeared on TV exhibits like “Monsters and Mysteries in America.” The Tennessee Wild Man and Cryptid Con in McMinnville brings collectively followers and researchers yearly. The creature has helped native tourism with monster-themed merchandise all through Tennessee.
Last Verdict: Fable or Monster?
Scientific proof for the Wild Man’s existence continues to be lacking. Many sightings might be defined by mistaking identified animals, particularly bears standing on hind legs in darkish situations. Nonetheless, the large variety of constant reviews over time suggests there could also be extra to the story than simply errors or pretend tales.
Closing Ideas
Whether or not the Tennessee Wild Man roams the mountain forests or exists solely in our creativeness, the legend reminds us that thriller nonetheless exists. When you’re decided to seek for this cryptid, give attention to distant areas across the Cumberland Plateau and japanese forests close to Elizabethton throughout daybreak and nightfall.
However bear in mind, if the Wild Man is actual, it actively desires to harm people. Not like Bigfoot, this creature appears to be like for fights. Any journey needs to be well-armed, well-planned, and carried out in teams. Ensure that somebody is aware of your location and return time.
As somebody who’s spent numerous hours in Louisiana swamps, the woods maintain secrets and techniques we don’t perceive. The Wild Man could also be a type of secrets and techniques higher left alone. However should you’re decided to search out out, ensure you’re ready for no matter you may encounter in these Tennessee mountains.
