Encountering an illegal grow or trafficking operation is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in the great outdoors. We have several terrifying tales to share including one that happened near the legendary "Murder Mountain" made famous by the Netflix reality series.

Plus, a savage trained killer dog sent to attack a hiker who found a growing area.

*A serial killer who turned himself in with a breast in a bag

*Held at gunpoint on a deer lease 

*A special defense segment with Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, FL.

In this unusual episode of Dark Outdoors, we uncover the bizarre case of a man who posed as a woman to gain illegal access to a city park—and its vulnerable deer population. What starts as a strange poaching scheme spirals into a web of wildlife trafficking, leading investigators deep into the shadowy world of exotic animal cloning. Join us as we track the trail from urban deer blinds to high-stakes deals involving the cloning and black-market trade of the elusive Marco Polo sheep and it's "Frankensheep" hybrids.

In this special lost episode of Dark Outdoors, we uncover a never-before-heard interview with the late Jerrie Dean, founder of the Missing Texas 40 project. Recorded before her passing, Jerrie shares chilling insights into unsolved disappearances, cold cases, and suspicious deaths, including a disturbing case involving a body found in a barrel and a brutal murder deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas. This rare interview sheds light on missing persons, rural crime, and the haunting mysteries hidden in the Texas wilderness. Join us for this gripping true crime story that brings forgotten victims back into the spotlight.

Texas Fish & Game helps Dark Outdoors® bring you reports of missing poeple in each episode.

In this intense episode of Dark Outdoors, we dive into real-world survival strategies for people who find themselves under attack while in their vehicles, at campsites, or in other remote locations. Whether you're off-roading deep in the backcountry or camping far from cell service, understanding how to react in these high-risk situations can mean the difference between life and death.

Joining us is special guest Jeff Stewart—renowned author, gunsmith, and outdoorsman—who brings decades of tactical knowledge and backwoods experience to the table. We cover vehicle ambush scenarios, defensive tactics, gear recommendations, and how to mentally prepare for the unthinkable.

This is a must-listen for anyone who spends serious time off-grid, from overlanders and hunters to campers and rural residents.

And don’t miss our Missing in the Wild segment at the end of the show—brought to you by Texas Fish & Game—highlighting unresolved cases from the wilderness that demand attention.

In July 1916, a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey coast left four dead and one injured, inciting widespread panic and inspiring the iconic film Jaws.

While a great white shark was captured and blamed, modern experts suggest a different culprit: the bull shark. Known for its ability to thrive in both salt and freshwater, the bull shark's unique adaptability and aggressive nature make it a prime suspect.

Join us as we delve into the events of 1916, examine the evidence, and explore why the bull shark might be the true predator behind these historic attacks.

We also talk with a shark expert from Texas on shark population trends and learn about an exciting potential shark deterrent that's simple and has the potential to save people and sharks.​

 #BullShark #Jaws #SharkWeek #SharkAttacks #1916SharkAttacks #TrueCrime #MarineBiology #OceanPredators #Podcast

A border patrol agent encounters hooded figures around a fire in an area known for satanic rituals. A security guard sees a ritual taking place and three boys encounter a bizarre ritual-all involving mysterious hooded figures. In this episode we talk about encountering the dark occult, secret satanic groups and sacrificial sights in the great outdoors.

We appreciate Chris James of the  Strange Things with Chris James podcast for contributing one of these mysterious accounts..

Please subscribe to Dark Outdoors® to keep up with stories about true crime and terrifying encounters in the great outdoors.

Dark Outdoors partners with Texas Fish & Game to bring you our Missing in the Wild reports. Learn more at fishgame.com.

A woman encounters an orangutan-looking creature on her porch at her swampy homestead. A hunter sees a troop of baboons. A hairy hand reaches into a deer blind.

Across the American South, particularly in states like Texas and Florida, tales have surfaced for decades of strange, often unnerving encounters in the wilderness—not with known native wildlife, but with creatures resembling feral apes or wild primates. 

Some researchers believe these sightings may be linked to feral populations of escaped or released primates. In the mid-20th century, exotic pet ownership and roadside zoos were far more common, and many animals were let loose or escaped into the wild. Over time, it’s possible that some species adapted to their environments, forming secretive breeding populations in remote, unmonitored regions.

Wildlife journalist and field investigators have documented everything from anomalous hair samples to strange vocal recordings in these hotspots. The behaviors described—chest-beating, howling, and ambush-like movements—align more with great apes than with any known North American species.

In the latest episode of Dark Outdoors, we dive deep into these encounters with feral apes and wild primates, exploring the theories, legends, and firsthand accounts that paint a chilling portrait of what might be lurking just beyond the campfire’s glow.

Join host Chester Moore on an intense discussion of Sinister Swamps with the author of the book of the same name Lyle Blackburn.

Learn about several strange cases of campers, hunters and others who went missing without a trace in the Everglades and Great Dysmal Swamp.

Hear about the super strange and scary case of the mysterious dolls set up in an Alabama Swamp.

Learn about serial killer activity in the swamps and more in this show with master storyteller Lyle Blackburn.

Dark Outdoors partners with Texas Fish & Game to bring you our Missing in the Wild reports. Learn more at fishgame.com.

In a special episode of Dark Outdoors® Ben Verheul gives an hour-long uncut story of his harrowing grizzly attack in the Wyoming wilderness.

Learn how he survived and how he knew for sure the grizzly that attacked him was one he had already had an encounter with.

If bear stories intrigue you-this one will blow your mind!

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game who bring you the Missing in the Wild reports on our weekly episodes. Get more info at www.fsihgame.com.

Chester Moore interviews author R.C. Bramhall author of Haunted War Tales: True Military Encounters with the Bizarre, Paranormal and Unexplained about the terrifying wildlife encounters faced by military around the world.

We cover:

*A Crocodile-Caused Massacre

*Tiger Attacks

*The U.S.S. Indianapolis

*Snakebites

*Huge bunker rats in Vietnam and much, much more!

Dark Outdoors® important Missing in the Wild component is brought to you by Texas Fish & Game magazine. Get more info at www.fishgame.com.