UK forestry expert discusses terrain, food and water opportunities in alleged I-75 shooter search area

As the search for alleged I-75 shooter Joseph Couch continues, a man who’s spent considerable time in the area he was last seen in said it’s rough going there. Chris Barton is a professor of forest hydrology and watershed management in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He said there’s more than just a dense forest.

“There's also some old mine lands on those areas that may have even denser vegetation because they're a little bit younger. The hills there aren't as high as say, they are in the central Appalachian mountains, but they can have slopes of 70 or 80 percent.”

Barton said cliff lines, sinkholes, caves and rock shelters are common in that part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and offer plenty of places to hide. He said there’s plenty of fairly clean water to drink – and food.

“There's a lot of homesteads and little communities that are within the proclamation boundary of the forest. So, many of these homesteads have gardens. And this time of year, you would be able to sneak in and definitely be able to find, you know, probably some vegetables.

Barton said there are also many edible plants in the area. Investigators say it’s possible Couch, who’s accused of shooting five people on I-75, received a ride at some point.

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