Missing teen reportedly hunting ginseng with his stepfather when he went missing in the Smokies

Eighteen-year-old Austin Bohanan, missing for 11 days in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, told authorities he came close to eating bugs to survive the ordeal, but only ended up drinking water. He and his stepfather, Hubert Dyer Jr., were apparently hunting for ginseng in the National Park, according to Chief Ranger Steve Kloster, who spoke at a news conference on Wednesday.

Dyer told authorities that the two were there to hunt ginseng, according to Kloster, who added that they would "look at the law enforcement component, but we’re not there right now." Taking ginseng from the National Park is illegal.

Bohanan got separated from his stepfather near the Shop Creek area on Friday, Aug. 11. His family reported that they didn't notify authorities right away because they thought they could find him. Bohanan told authorities he tried to make a cell phone call from the top of a ridge but couldn't get any service. He said he went up and down what he thinks were Tabcat Creek and Panther Creek for days trying to find his way out. He spotted boats after unsuccessfully trying to be noticed by a rescue helicopter. He was finally rescued on Tuesday, Aug. 22, when he was able to hike down to a boat and get a ride out of the Park.

Over 100 searchers from multiple agencies aggressively searched for Bohanan using ground crews, air operations, canine units, and boat operators. The teams navigated extremely steep slopes and drainages in the search area. While Bohanan appears to have remained within the search area, he was constantly moving and left little sign behind in the dense foliage.