09/06/2026
September 6, 2026 | Fentress County, Tennessee
Tennessee's wild ginseng harvesting season began September 1, and with more people heading into the woods and remote areas of Fentress County, local emergency services are joining together to encourage everyone to make safety a priority.
Fentress County's rugged terrain is part of what makes our area special, but it can also make a simple situation much more serious. Steep hillsides, cliffs, rock formations, thick vegetation, creeks, limited cellular service, and long distances from roadways can create significant challenges when someone becomes lost, injured, or experiences a medical emergency.
“We want everyone who heads into the woods this ginseng season to enjoy their time and, most importantly, make it back home safely. Take a few minutes before you leave to make a plan, know where you're going, carry the equipment you may need, and tell someone who isn't going with you exactly where you plan to be. Those few simple steps can make a tremendous difference if something goes wrong. Our Rescue, Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement personnel are always ready to respond, but the more information we have about where you are and where you planned to go, the quicker we can begin getting help to you.”
— Captain Larry Goad, Fentress County Rescue Squad
Chief Larry Cooper, Fentress County Fire Department
Chief Daniel Coleman, Fentress County EMS
Sheriff Hunter Fowler, Fentress County Sheriff’s Office
HAVE A PLAN — AND SHARE IT
One of the most important things you can do happens before you ever enter the woods.
Make a plan and leave that plan with a family member or friend who is not going with you. Tell them where you are going, where you plan to park or enter the woods, who is going with you, share a picture of yourself currently along with what current clothing you are wearing, approximately what time you expect to return, and when they should become concerned if they have not heard from you.
Whenever possible, avoid entering remote areas alone.
If your plans change, let your contact person know.
KNOW THE AREA AND TERRAIN
Research the area before you go, especially if you have never been there before. Review maps or satellite imagery and familiarize yourself with roads, trails, creeks, ridges, cliffs, property boundaries, and other landmarks.
Do not underestimate the terrain. What appears to be a short distance on a map can become a much more difficult trip when you're dealing with steep slopes, thick vegetation, rocks, creeks, and elevation changes.
Know your physical limitations and remember: you still have to make the trip back out.
Do not depend solely on cellular service. Many remote areas of Fentress County have limited or no reliable cellphone coverage. Consider downloading maps for offline use before leaving and carrying a compass or another backup navigation method.
CARRY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Even if you only plan on being out for a couple of hours, prepare for the possibility that you may be there much longer.
At a minimum, consider carrying plenty of water, a fully charged cellphone, portable battery pack, flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, appropriate footwear, basic first-aid supplies, necessary medications, navigation equipment, and a whistle or other signaling device.
Always carry a flashlight. A trip planned for a few hours during daylight can quickly extend past dark because of an injury, becoming disoriented, or simply taking longer than expected.
HYDRATE — DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE HEAT
With the hot weather our area is experiencing, hydration needs to be a priority.
Carry more water than you think you will need and drink regularly throughout the day. Don't wait until you are already thirsty. Take breaks, seek shade when possible, and avoid pushing yourself beyond your limits.
Watch yourself and those with you for symptoms of heat-related illness, including excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.
Confusion, altered mental status, collapse, loss of consciousness, or other severe symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency.
IF YOU NEED HELP — CALL EARLY
If you become lost, injured, or experience a medical emergency, call 911 as soon as possible. Don't wait until your situation becomes critical or your cellphone battery is nearly dead.
Provide dispatchers with as much information as possible:
Where you parked or entered the woods
The road, trail, or property you entered from
How long you have been walking
Your direction of travel
Creeks, ridges, power lines, roads, structures, or other landmarks you passed
GPS coordinates or location information from your cellphone, if available
The number of people in your group and whether anyone is injured, clothing descriptions
Once contact is made with 911, follow the dispatcher's instructions. If you are lost, continuing to move can sometimes make locating you more difficult.
KNOW THE LAW AND RESPECT PROPERTY
Tennessee's wild ginseng harvest season runs September 1 through December 31. Tennessee requires permission from the landowner to collect wild ginseng on private property. State requirements also address plant maturity and replanting berries at the harvest location.
Before entering any property, make sure you have permission to be there and that ginseng harvesting is legally permitted on that property.
OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE: HAVE A PLAN AND COME HOME SAFE
Each year, emergency responders are called into remote areas to locate and assist people who have become lost, injured, dehydrated, or ill.
Preparation can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major rescue operation.
Have a plan. Tell someone your plan. Know the terrain. Carry the right equipment. Take plenty of water. Know your limitations. Respect private property. And make coming home safely the most important part of your trip.
Jointly issued by:
Captain Larry Goad
Fentress County Rescue Squad
Chief Larry Cooper
Fentress County Fire Department
Chief Daniel Coleman
Fentress County Emergency Medical Services
Sheriff Hunter Fowler
Fentress County Sheriff’s Office
Working together to keep Fentress County safe
