Trapper Ty Shares Bigfoot Encounter and AIMS Team Origins

There's something special about sitting down with people who have dedicated their lives to chasing the unknown, and this recent interview floating around YouTube is exactly that kind of conversation. Trapper Ty, the fearless leader of the AIMS team (Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings) from Destination America's hit series Mountain Monsters, sat down for a candid chat about everything from his team's dynamic to their deeply held beliefs about the creatures they pursue. For anyone unfamiliar with Mountain Monsters, the show follows a group of real Appalachian mountain men who investigate cryptid sightings across the eastern United States. The AIMS team has been hunting together since 2006, and each member brings something unique to the table. Trapper holds the team together, Huckleberry handles security, Willie builds the traps, Jeff does the research and folklore digging, Wild Bill keeps everyone fed (his grill is apparently always going), and Buck handles the heavy lifting as the team's rookie. What really stands out in this interview is how Trapper describes his path into monster hunting. It started with an article he and his son wrote for Gold Seal magazine about Nike's Tomb in West Virginia. The response was so overwhelming that people started reaching out to him with sightings and reports, and eventually the AIMS website was born as a hub for people to submit their encounters. It's a reminder that some of the best investigations begin with simply listening to witnesses. The conversation naturally drifts into Bigfoot territory, and Trapper shares some fascinating insights. He talks about the Ohio Grassman episode, where he actually caught a glimpse of the creature in Moonshine Hollow. When asked about Bigfoot intelligence, he makes a point that researchers have echoed for years, these beings are incredibly smart and evasive. He recounts a personal experience where he tried to draw one out with tree knocks, got a response, returned the next night to the exact same spot, and got nothing. They learn. They adapt. They avoid us. One of the most interesting bits involves the acorn crop. Trapper explains that the reason the Grassman was coming out of Moonshine Hollow during that particular season was because there had been a total mast crop failure. No acorns, no hickory nuts, nothing. When you consider that a thousand-pound creature needs to eat constantly to survive, it makes perfect sense that food scarcity would push them into more visible areas. This actually aligns with a lot of sighting patterns researchers have noticed over the years, Bigfoot activity often spikes during years with poor mast crops. The team has plans to expand their hunting grounds, with potential episodes featuring the Jersey Devil, the Florida Swamp Man, and Momo in Missouri. With 16 episodes planned for the upcoming season, they may have to branch out further than ever before. Perhaps the most refreshing part of the interview is Trapper's stance on what to do if they ever actually corner a Bigfoot. The team has had extensive discussions about this, and their position is clear: they will absolutely not shoot one. They believe Bigfoot has never harmed anyone, and they view their mission as capture and study, not destruction. They'd rather photograph, document, and release. The only time weapons come into play is for self-protection against aggressive black bears or other genuine threats in the deep forest. He also touches on the Snelligaster hunt in Preston County, describing it as one of the scariest creatures they've ever pursued. A flying cryptid is a whole different ballgame, and the team admits they went in underprepared. Going back would require serious planning. For anyone who loves following real-world cryptid investigations or just enjoys the chemistry of a tight-knit team of hunters, this interview is worth the watch. Trapper Ty comes across as genuine, grounded, and deeply respectful of both the creatures and the witnesses who trust his team with their stories. Mountain Monsters fans will get a kick out of his comments about Wild Bill's cooking and the team's constant joking and trick-playing behind the scenes. Check out the full interview over on YouTube, it's a great peek behind the curtain of one of the most entertaining paranormal shows on television.