Raised in the rugged Appalachian region of East Tennessee, Harley Owens began as a typical outdoorsman—hunting, fishing, and exploring forested woodlands. But on September 23, 2020, a startling encounter near Pound, Virginia shook his worldview: he discovered massive footprints and heard eerie, inhuman vocalizations. This experience, captured in a single shaky photo before his phone died, spurred a three‑year hiatus from the woods—until Thanksgiving 2023, when he mustered the courage to return.

Since reclaiming his path, Harley has fully embraced field research. He’s captured additional evidence—footprints, photos, and audio—documenting multiple encounters with Bigfoot and even Dogman in the Smoky Mountains. His work is rooted in authenticity and transparency, as he shares firsthand findings without sensationalism.

Harley founded Bigfoot Reports & Data, a community-driven group on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, dedicated to gathering and analyzing cryptid sightings and evidence from Appalachia.

He’s a sought-after guest on cryptid-focused podcasts such as Strangeology and The Confessionals, as well as on YouTube series like Beyond BMR and Bigfoot Society, where he discusses his encounters, field techniques, and his journey from skepticism to active investigation.