Helicopter Pilot Films Bigfoot Carrying Slain Deer in Appalachian Forest – Sasquatch Encounter Story

Veteran Rescue Helicopter Pilot Claims Bigfoot Encounters in Appalachia, Raising New Questions About Mysterious Disappearances

Appalachian Mountains, United States — A dramatic firsthand account from a veteran search-and-rescue helicopter pilot has reignited one of America’s oldest and most controversial mysteries: the possible existence of Bigfoot—and its alleged connection to unexplained disappearances deep in the Appalachian wilderness.

The pilot, who requested anonymity due to professional concerns, recently shared his story in a lengthy YouTube video that has drawn millions of views. With more than 12 years of experience flying rescue missions over the Appalachian Mountains, he insists he witnessed something that permanently changed his understanding of the region—and of what may be living in its most remote valleys.

“I used to laugh at Bigfoot stories,” he said. “Until I saw one with my own eyes.”

A Routine Flight Turns Extraordinary

The pilot’s first encounter reportedly occurred in late October during a routine aerial patrol connected to a missing hiker report. Flying low over a remote valley shortly before sunset, he noticed a large, dark figure moving through a forest clearing. Initially assuming it was a hunter or possibly a bear, he circled back and descended to approximately 300 feet for a clearer look.

What he claims to have seen defied those assumptions.

According to his account, the figure was a massive, upright, bipedal creature at least eight feet tall, covered in thick brown fur. Most striking, he said, was that the creature was carrying a full-grown deer draped across its shoulders. The animal appeared freshly killed, with its neck bent at an unnatural angle.

“No human could carry a deer like that through rough terrain as if it weighed nothing,” the pilot said.

As he hovered overhead, the creature reportedly stopped, looked up directly at the helicopter, and held eye contact for several seconds before calmly walking beneath the dense tree canopy and disappearing from view.

Silence and Signs on the Ground

Shaken by the sighting, the pilot chose not to file an official report, fearing professional repercussions. However, about a week later, he convinced two park rangers to hike into the area he had marked from the air.

What they allegedly found disturbed all three men.

The forest was unnaturally quiet, the pilot said—no birds, no small animals, no typical woodland sounds. Along a stream, they discovered massive footprints measuring over 18 inches long, with five toes and a human-like shape. Nearby were scattered deer bones, broken in ways the pilot claims were inconsistent with known predators.

They also encountered large stick structures—logs and branches arranged in deliberate formations, some standing more than ten feet tall. According to the pilot, similar structures had been quietly discussed among rangers for years but never officially documented.

“Nothing about it felt random,” he said. “It felt intentional.”

A Pattern of Missing Hikers

After the expedition, the pilot says he began reviewing years of missing person records tied to the surrounding parklands. He claims to have identified a troubling pattern: 17 experienced hikers had vanished within an approximately five-mile radius of the same valley system over an eight-year period.

Many were never found. In cases where remains were recovered, he argues that official explanations—falls or animal attacks—did not align with the locations or physical evidence.

Park authorities have not supported these conclusions. Officials emphasize that the Appalachian backcountry is notoriously dangerous, with steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and known wildlife threats. “There is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of Bigfoot,” one park representative stated. “Disappearances in wilderness areas, while tragic, are not uncommon.”

A Second Encounter at Close Range

Despite the risks, the pilot admits he became obsessed with finding answers. Over the following months, he made multiple solo trips into the same valley. During these hikes, he claims to have found fresh tracks in snow measuring up to 22 inches long, branches broken high above ground level, and large scat containing deer hair and bone fragments.

The second encounter, he says, occurred in early December.

While following fresh tracks through a hemlock grove at dawn, the pilot came upon a deer carcass that was still steaming in the cold air. As he examined the scene, he heard heavy breathing behind him.

About 30 feet away, partially obscured by a tree, stood what he describes as a massive, fur-covered humanoid creature—possibly closer to nine feet tall. He reported seeing muscle definition beneath the fur, steam rising from its body, and intelligent, focused eyes studying him.

After an extended stare, the creature allegedly emitted a low, chest-deep rumble and took a single step forward. The pilot stepped back. Moments later, the creature turned and walked away, disappearing silently into the forest.

“I knew then I’d gone as far as I could,” he said. “That was a warning.”

A Destroyed Campsite

Roughly a week after that encounter, the pilot participated in an aerial search for a missing young couple who had been hiking in the same general area. From the air, he spotted a campsite that appeared violently destroyed.

On the ground, he says, the evidence was unsettling: a shredded tent, crushed equipment, broken branches high off the ground, blood on rocks, and large footprints consistent with those he had been documenting for months. Drag marks led deeper into the forest.

The official report classified the scene as a probable animal attack, possibly involving a bear. The couple was never found.

Skepticism and Local Lore

Wildlife biologists and skeptics argue that eyewitness testimony, tracks, and photos are unreliable and easily misinterpreted or fabricated. Without a body, DNA, or a captured specimen, Bigfoot remains firmly outside mainstream science.

Yet many locals in small Appalachian towns tell similar stories, often quietly and reluctantly. Tales of massive figures, strange howls, tree-knocking sounds, and “no-go” valleys have circulated for generations.

“People around here don’t talk about it openly,” said one longtime resident. “But they know where not to go.”

An Unsettled Mystery

The pilot continues to fly rescue missions over the same mountains but says he no longer sees them the same way. Certain valleys, he says, still feel “wrong” from the air—too still, too empty.

Whether his story represents an extraordinary discovery, a misinterpretation shaped by isolation and danger, or something else entirely remains an open question. What is certain is that the Appalachian wilderness still holds vast, unexplored spaces—and secrets that may never be fully explained.

“Believe it or don’t,” the pilot said. “I know what I saw. And I know enough to stay away.”