Keith Lusher 07.11.25
I’m not much into folklore, but I have to say that the Tennessee Wild Man has intrigued me ever since I first learned about it while playing golf in Tennessee. This was during our family’s evacuation from Hurricane Katrina. I was playing a round of golf at Gallatin Country Club. I hit my ball into the woods, and the guy I was paired up with (I forgot his name, it’s been a long time since then) warned me to watch out for the Wild Man. Being from Louisiana, I didn’t know what that was. All I knew was our cryptid that goes by the name of Rougarou. Well, I asked a few questions and he told me all about the legend of the Wild Man. That got me thinking: if I did come in contact with the Wild Man, how would I defend myself? Better yet, what if I were to hunt the Wild Man? How would I go about doing that?
Physical Description
The Tennessee Wild Man looks like a hairy human with red or gray fur, bright red eyes, and smells really bad. People say it’s 7 to 9 feet tall, very strong and fast, and mean toward humans, especially dogs and women. Those red eyes suggest good night vision, giving it a huge advantage in low-light conditions.
The Wild Man makes a disturbing war cry that can scare anyone, and smells like a skunk. As a hunter, that sound could help locate the creature, but it might freeze you up when you need to act fast. The creature is territorial and aggressive, targeting dogs and women, though attacks are never successful.
Habitat
The Wild Man has been spotted in places like Elizabethton, Bee Cliffs, and McNairy County. The Smoky Mountains and Cumberland Plateau offer the rough wilderness where most sightings happen. The last known sighting was over 20 years ago near Elizabethton when Robb Phillips saw the Wild Man hanging onto a tree about 15 feet away during a night hike.
Hunting the Tennessee Wild Man
Given how big, strong, and mean this thing is supposed to be, hunting the Wild Man would need serious firepower and planning. This wouldn’t be like hunting deer. This would be more like hunting a dangerous predator that wants to hurt humans.
For guns, I’d recommend at least a .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum for the stopping power needed to drop something that size right away. You’d need to stop it immediately, no tracking a wounded animal. A wounded Wild Man would be extremely dangerous and likely to attack rather than flee.
Since the Wild Man seems to come out mostly at night, thermal imaging or night vision scopes would be necessary. A good backup gun, like a .44 Magnum, would be needed, too. Body armor would be smart since this thing could probably throw rocks or logs with enough force to cause serious damage.
This would definitely need to be a group hunt. Many groups of men have gone out hunting for the creature, but most of the time, they don’t find anything or something really bad happens. I’d recommend at least four hunters working together, with good radio communication and predetermined escape routes.
Tennessee Tablefare?
Following the Louisiana rule of “if you kill it, you eat it,” the Wild Man would probably be edible, though I think the meat would be tough and have a strong taste. Given how big and muscular it’s supposed to be, the meat would likely be dark and thick, like bear, but with a stronger flavor because of what it eats and the creature’s bad smell.
Cooking it would need a lot of field dressing and aging to break down the tough muscle. I’d recommend a long soak in acidic liquid like apple cider vinegar and citrus to help make the meat tender and cover up any strong flavors. Salt brining for at least 24 hours would also help draw out blood and any gamey flavors.
For cooking, low and slow would be the way to go. A traditional Tennessee session would consist of smoking the meat over hickory for 12-16 hours, like how mountain people cook bear. Or, a pressure cooker with root vegetables and lots of spices could break down the tough parts. The liver and other organs would probably need to be thrown away because we don’t know what the creature eats, and it might have parasites.
Recent Sightings and Pop Culture
In 2012, Matt Seeber claimed he saw the Tennessee Wild Man near his home in McNairy County. He said it was 8 feet tall with red hair and eyes, growling and chasing his dog. Recent reports include caveman-like sounds heard in Oak Ridge in 2019.
The Wild Man has appeared on TV shows like “Monsters and Mysteries in America.” The Tennessee Wild Man and Cryptid Con in McMinnville brings together fans and researchers annually. The creature has helped local tourism with monster-themed merchandise throughout Tennessee.
Final Verdict: Myth or Monster?
Scientific proof for the Wild Man’s existence is still missing. Many sightings can be explained by mistaking known animals, especially bears standing on hind legs in dark conditions. However, the huge number of consistent reports over time suggests there may be more to the story than just mistakes or fake stories.
Closing Thoughts
Whether the Tennessee Wild Man roams the mountain forests or exists only in our imagination, the legend reminds us that mystery still exists. If you’re determined to search for this cryptid, focus on remote areas around the Cumberland Plateau and eastern forests near Elizabethton during dawn and dusk.
But remember, if the Wild Man is real, it actively wants to hurt humans. Unlike Bigfoot, this creature looks for fights. Any trip should be well-armed, well-planned, and done in groups. Make sure someone knows your location and return time.
As someone who’s spent countless hours in Louisiana swamps, the woods hold secrets we don’t understand. The Wild Man may be one of those secrets better left alone. But if you’re determined to find out, make sure you’re prepared for whatever you might encounter in those Tennessee mountains.
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