Tuesday 
A man who went into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to poach ginseng root (pictured here) might have been killed by a bear/NPS
A black bear believed to have scavenged on the body of a man who went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to collect ginseng roots was killed Sunday morning by park rangers. Whether the adult boar actually killed the man remained to be determined, park staff said.
William Lee Hill, Jr., 30, of Louisville, Tenn., and a friend had gone into the park near Cades Cove a week ago Friday to hunt for ginseng, a root used by some as a traditional home medicine. Prices can go as high as $800 a pound for ginseng. While the root can be collected outside the park, it is illegal to do so inside the boundaries.
When Hill failed to meet up with his friend, a search was launched last Sunday. The man's body was found Tuesday afternoon in the woods about 2 miles north of Cades Cove and about a half-mile from the Rich Mountain Road.
Searchers who found the body, which had signs of being fed on, saw a bear in the area. It "would not leave the area, and continued to show aggression towards our searchers and others who came in to remove the body," park spokeswoman Julena Campbell said Sunday.
Since it wasn't known whether the bear had killed Hill, the decision was made to place a GPS radio collar on the bear and let it go pending further information, she said. While rangers were putting the collar on the bear, they found evidence of human DNA on it, she said.
On Wednesday, park staff, in discussions with Superintendent Cassius Cash, decided to destroy the bear. However, the GPS collar placed on the animal was programmed to send out location signals every two or three hours, and so it took longer than expected to relocate the bear, said Ms. Campbell.
Additional traps were placed near where Hill's body was found, and while the bear didn't go into any of them, on Sunday morning shortly before 10 a.m. when the traps were checked the bear was seen in the area and was killed, she said.
A necropsy on the bear, which was estimated to weigh about 175 pounds, was planned. Park officials also were awaiting autopsy results on Hill to determine how he died.
"This one’s a complicated case," Ms. Campbell said. "We don’t know what we'll find out.”
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Comments
Whether this letter is read, or even if you don't care, I need to make my opinion known. I would love to see the killing of black bears in the Smokey Mtn's stopped. Ive wondered if I should make this my life mission to start petitions and talk to legislators about this very disturbing incident that happens way to often in a national park. I'm actually wondering if humans should be allowed into the woods at all. Most have NO COMMON SENSE on what to do in a bear attack, and most don't even think of it. These beautiful mtns. are known for their black bears and I don't think the country see's the slaughtering of the bears (and babies) that takes place every yr. The latest bear killed was suspected on killing a man who was ILLEGALLY DIGGING GINSENG in a NATIONAL FOREST. But the bear was killed because someone illegally came into his territory. WHEN ARE HUMANS GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS - this is SADLY how all children and young adults are growing up today. I'm totally disgusted and horrified by the way things are handled by the rangers in this beautiful park. This needs to be made WELL KNOWN WORLD WIDE to see what can be done to protect our beautiful resources. I'm saddened everytime I visit because I know that stories or the wildlife killed while living in the national forest just being bears. I don't enjoy seeing them because I know they are probably next on the euthanasia list. Between the FIRES STARTED BY HUMANS AND ALL THE HUMANS BREAKING LAWS THE BEARS DON'T STAND A CHANCE. SHAME ON THE SMOKEY MTN'S FOR BETRAYING AND KILLING A CREATURE THAT BRINGS MUCH JOY TO LAW-ABIDING, RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEINGS.
It's not illegal to go v into the woods. It is to dig any plants, including finding.. Asian people buy it. The park is overrun by bears. I live in Asheville and cullohwee. They get into trashcans and kill and eat DOGS alot.
The world is overrun with humans and the park is overrun with humans also! Bears would not get into trash cans if: civilation was not encroching on their habitate and if humans would properly mantain their garbage. I lived in a very bear rich area (northern Minnesota) and there were towns with absolutly NO bear issues, because the citizans were educated on proper practices to midigate bear/human interations. Then, there were the towns filled with ingorant folks that didn't care...guess what? They had bear issues! Go figure! If garbage was being properly dealt with, the bears would not be incountering a lot of dogs to eat...though, not sure about bears in your area, but our bears are Minnesota Nice, so they don't usually eat dogs (though, as with any good Minnesotian, they are probably passive-aggressive and talk about the dogs behind their tails...thank goodness I am not a real Minnesotian!).
Loss of habitat and too many humans causes this . Live with it get over it or move. They were here first.
Disgusting comment. You have no sympathy for the man and his family, nor do you know if he was desperate to feed his family or why he was willing to risk jail.And then you say people shouldn’t go into the woods at all,save the poor bears,blah blah. The bears are so plentiful now they are coming into cities and towns to feed, maybe you will get to see one up close yourself
So true. Once a bear shows aggression the Natl Park has to do something about the bear otherwise another person could see death. They do not randomly kill bears just ones they see as dangerous.
doing something ilegal is illegal no mater selling dope to feed your family or some root do you believe in making and selling meth that kills thousands every year and everyone that does it will say they were doing it to feed their family people kill people and they don’t get a death sentence so why should the bear get a death sentence
we have food pantries to feed people, more than likely the guy was looking to make a quick buck also the bears are coming in towns because they lost a lot of their food source due to the fires last year and even when the bears come in people do not observe the 50 yard law and they feed them .Bears are wild animals give them the respect of not feeding them or get to close to them
Stupid choices come with stupid consequences and whether or not trying to take care of family there are safer ways to do so. No excuse for doing it and shows how selfish it was to make a choice so dangerous and yes its very sad for family and bear but hoping this is a life lesson for many others
Humans are even more plentiful than bear now, they are coming into the woods to feed on wildlife and polute the land (surpisingly a lot of trash is found in these prestine woods), maybe you will get to see one up close yourself!
I 100% agree with you!
What you wrote is so true....
I do not hunt but would shoot to protect my life or yours. Ginseng hunters are or can be very destructive to the environment. To say that all killing of the bears is wrong is just as bad. Common sense must be used. How are you going to regulate where humans can go or what they eat? Are we going to the stage in which our nutrition comes from a pill? People who do not eat meat are no more healthy than those that do. So many of the so-called medical studies that have been published supportive of one side or the other are poor science or downright lies. Lets just rush out and make dozens of new laws to support whichever side I like. It is time to use common sense, talk to each other and listen to God who made all things.
I completely agree with you! I love the area but yes it is a recipe for disaster! Closing down trails is something I would love to see happen and would allow the bears a place to live and not be disturbed.
Now now, closing down the trails is a bit extreme. There's plenty of room for the bears and people as long as the people stay on the trails. The local that were breaking the law didn't deserve to die. The bear on the other hand was eating the human and this is not normal. Once a bear gets a taste of a human they become a threat to people inside and outside of the national park. We live within a few miles of this area and hike there often. Have seen a few bear near the trails but they will just normally run off into the woods. No harm No foul.
I hear you! I have similar feelings about this issue. Small trails are fine but longer or overnight hikers should be more scrutinized for their competence.
These beautiful animals pay the price for human stupidity while they're where they're supposed to be;in their habitat.
Maybe you should live amongst the bears and teach them how to properly interact with their human visitors, then we could all live together in perfect harmony.
This black bear should not have been killed because it was the person's fault for being in there hunting ginseng illegally! This is their territory and people should not feed them and obey the laws, which they don't! This needs to stop!
I suggest that you make Educating humans as your mission. The bear was destryed since they found human DNA on it. Our National Parks are helping humans understand wildlife and respect it. Going extreme does not help the cause.
Actually had this conversation about a week ago...
So you want to put humans below animals? Harambe > the kid that fell in the cage? Do you know what kind of cage you are putting yourself in?
Parks are a complete fabrication of "nature" as cuties are a fabrication of "where we belong". Conflict with wild animals has and always will be ongoing. What GSMNP does, is work to manage the conflict to mitigate risks we have toward each other.
Killingbears is a last resort and has no measurable impact on the bear populations which number 2/sq mile.
You have a lot of passion for the bears, but display less than critical or informed argument. Education is the best defense, but will never erase the presence of human-animal conflict.
This is NOT THE BEAR'S FAULT! This is human fault. I visit the Smokies and Gatlinburg frequently. Stupidity like this is why I won't be there anymore! I am betting Cubs were in the area. This man was poaching Ginseng in an area that is known to anyone who can read the warning signs not to feed the bears. This was the bear's habitat that he encroached on. Shooting a bear in the head is INHUMANE!
I‘m with you 100%!!! WE should be held more accountable for our actions. Especially when it involves doing something illegal & using poor judgement! It’s one thing if a bear shows up on our turf aggressively. But when we, the more “intellectual “ beings show up in their living environment, we have to remember that these are WILD animals & not teddy bears! It’s having respect for our animal kingdom that live in the great outdoors!! If a petition for their protection becomes available, please post so those who agree & want to help, can!!!!
AMen!!!!
My opinion .Personally , I feel that there should be permits given to hunters to take game in national parks to help control wildlife population .To me , ( I no longer hunt ) I feel that a great disservice was done by our government by taking people's land and turning that into parks .( such as ( Cades Cove ) I,and many others drive through there and see beautiful meadows and pastures being allowed to grow back into forests.What is the beauty in that ? Animals have their place , right beside the beans and potatoes on my plate .Ms. Williams ,if you don't enjoy seeing the animals ,why go there ? Human life is way more important than animal life .Where is your indignation concerning human life ?
Although it saddens me that the bear had to be put down it had to be done. Once it has a taste for something there is no stopping them. When I was in Cade’s Cove in July, they had signs on a trail I was on that said 2 camps closed due to aggressive bear. I wondered what that meant now I know. I wonder if this is the same Bear ??
You must not go into the woods so you don't think anyone should. How about nature lovers who enjoy hiking should they be allowed into the woods?
100% agree with you
I agree.
This would have happened if he was just out for a walk in the park it's not like the bear knows what the man was doing was wrong..but I'm like u on the point of killing these beautiful animals just relocate the bear deeper in the woods were it want come in contact with humans.
Black bears are a beautiful animal in the WILD, yes the WILD and does it dawn on a human being that if you come into their territory something is bound to happen, they protect their surrounding as we do as human beings. If there is an intruder in our home we protect ourselves, right!!!!!! Its common sense. No animal should be attacked or killed if in its surroundings, their home. If we as humans are stupid enough to go into their surroundings knowing what could possibly happen that person should be ready for attack or even death and it sucks its that way cause you have ignorant people that feels such a way about an animal that is doing the same as we would do as a human. There isnt a difference. As far as bears being in a town going thru trash killing animals just think before your house was built or businesses built this was the land bears roamed, so yes they are going to continue to do so. If not happy with it move they have always done this so it just didnt start so get over the fact that bears are protecting their surroundings as we do everyday. Its sad but common sense falls far from alot of people when it comes to a safe choice or stupid choice. Let the bears be. They deserve life just like we do. Prime example here, sharks are big and belong in the water right well its our choice to get in the beach where these big aggressive fish roam eat ECT. But does it occur to any of these negative comments they can strike at anytime and either attack or kill why cause were in their surroundings this is where they live eat breath and all they know so it's OUR CHOICE TO take cahnce and hope we dont get attack, no difference in the bear attack. Leave their territory alone and dont blame the bear.
I think the best thing to do is shoot mean bears
If humans should be allowed in the woods?
common sense?!!!!? His death was justified?
please don’t have children..... some people live in the outdoors!
I agree, there should be training before people go into go camping at a minimum. That wouldn’t have helped this bear....
Tammy, I will leave the morality question aside, and instead focus on what is best for the bears. Bears are smart animals and learn from each other and their environment. If you allow patterns of human predation to occur, then attacks on humans will increase. If that happens, the call will go out to wipe out the bears and you can be sure that thousands of bears will be killed everywhere and plan will be put into place to cull the bear population to a low level.
Your proposed plan would actually result in the deaths of many, many more bears than under the current practice.
I IMAGINE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE BEARS THE RIGHT TO VOTE ALONG WITH THE ILLEGAL ALIENS I'M SURE YOU SUPPORT. ACCORDING TO YOUR VIEWS ANIMALS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEOPLE. YOU PROBABLY CALL YOUR DOG YOUR CHILD AND HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN PROTEST, DESTROY PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND OBSTRUCT OR INHIBIT DECENT PEOPLE WHO ARE BUSY WORKING FOR A LIVING. INSTEAD OF DESTROYING OUR FREEDOM HERE PLEASE JUST MOVE TO A IDEALIC COMMI PARADISE LIKE VENSUALA, N. KOREA, OR CUBA.
I totally agree. Why kill the bear when it's just being a bear? Humans should have more common sense than to put themselves at risk like that.
I have to agree with you. We are the vistors of their turf. I got to see 4 on my visit. The first crossing a driveway on 32 between cosby and Big creek. At Cosby on the overlook trail, I spotted a mom, cub on the ground with a large one in the tree above them. He saw us and slid down the trunk of the tree busting branches all the way down. 200 ft away was not far enough for me. We slowly backed away and made tracks.. I respect their space and dont care to meet up close. We were about close to getting back into the camp ground a "idiot" with his girlfriend and a large poodle walking towards the bear direction. I warned him for he has a dog on the trail. He said "oh they hate dogs and besides the bears are tame". I guess he was the bear whisperer. Perhaps showing off in front of his idiot girlfriend while she is cooing over him. People like him causes more harm to all of us..bears included in all of us. I have no sympathy for stupid. I call it "stupid" population control. Glad you spoke up here.
You actually think this man deserved to die by a bear just for illegally digging ginseng? That is very bizarre thinking! Since when does the bears life trump a humans? Does not matter why he was there, the point is the bear killed him. Your right about one thing though. If it us that dangerous to get out out of your car....make sure visitors do just that or close it down. We were just there this past weekend. Although the beauty is impressive, it was too long and boring. There were too many people to enjoy anything. Spent most of our time in the car sitting in traffic. Takes away from the whole experience.
The mountains are the bears territory, not ours. Especially if it's protected by Wildlife authorities. I've seen some really ignorant people in the Cove, mostly out of state. They see a bear, they don't pull their car over ,,, they cause a 3 mile traffic jam, like their the only ones that deserve to see the bears. I consider them --Inconsiderate A-hole. Then they get right up to the bear and take their pictures not knowing what danger their putting their self in. And their children right behind them. That's the people that ruin it for everyone, ,,including the bear. God bless our Wildlife.
I totally agree!
Allowed? Really? That property belongs to the People and should be accessable to all who want access. The Park Rangers know what they are doing and I respect their knowledge over your hysterics and rediculous emotional comment. If they think a Bear needs to be culled. It needs to be culled.
You are silly.I bet you live in the city.
Very true! Regardless of these people with no respect for nature. And for somebody to say bears are overly populated... Who are you to say this? HUMANS are overly populated. We destroy everything we touch. We are over populated! Bears will kill if they feel threatened. I had the pleasure of seeing a bear this weekend in the Smokey’s. He was feasting on the neighbors trash. I called down to him throwing food in his direction. He just looked up at me and laid down sprawled out on the neighbors patio. When they pulled up, he ran to the outskirts of the woods and just stayed there with his bag of trash. If you don’t want to attract bears, don’t leave your trash outside where they can smell it and put your damn dogs inside. These mountains are the bears home! If you decide to live among them, at least have the respect and knowledge to do so peacefully. People think we can destroy anything we want just because we’re human. If you are not killing to eat, you shouldn’t be doing it. Humans take so much more then we give back.
Stop killing the bears tell that to the 6 year old girl who was killed by a bear. After she seen the bear bite her 2 year old brother's head then drag her mother into the woods. If that was your kids and you and you it would be different. You know nothing about conservation and animals. I pray you never have to go through the pain of a black when it eats you while your still alive! It's sad people care more about a animal then a child's life or a human life. God bless you
An animal is NEVER more important than a human being.
people should stop moving to the state building homes on land that doesn't belong to them . I've lived here all my life and the biggest problem is encroaching on forest pushing the boundaries I've explored these woods for 12 years as an experienced hunter there are things and reasons you get out of the woods before dark . Why do u think after dark cades cove is searched and locked down and ur only allowed in certain areas of the park . I know what's out there I'm just wandering how long it's gonna be before others start to believe . i believe what my eyes show me
Well a human illegally went into the bears territory, however the bear killed the human therefore the bear should die! just because someone walks into my yard does not give me the right to kill them does it? People respecting animal life over human life amaze me, how can you be so ignorant maybe that man was trying to provide for his family and insted of stealing from someone he stole some medical wild grown roots that he partially owns anyway being a tax payer!
AGREED 100%. Thank you for publishing this. I'm sick of people wandering into animal areas and then killing the animals because the animals were, well, BEING WILD ANIMALS.
I consider poaching any plant or animal from within a national park to be a serious crime. I do not consider it a capital crime. I don't consider it a capital crime no matter how many times the sanctimonious few hit their shift-lock key, which results, in the modern on-line world in you SHOUTING at me. Not party manners, ma'm.
By the way, I thank the Goddess that you are not in charge of allowing me into the woods, where I live 24/7, by the way.
Don't Worry, The Animals ALWAYS PAY, For Human Stupidity
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