A South Texas deer hunt turns terrifying when a father and son encounter what appears to be an organized crime unit in the brush country. Dark Outdoors® investigates the hidden dangers along America’s borderlands.

Welcome to Dark Outdoors®, where we shine a light on the often-ignored perils of the wilderness. In this episode, Chester Moore explores the increasing encounters with crime, unstable wildlife, and unexpected dangers in the outdoors—especially near America’s borders.

The episode features:

A firsthand account from a father and son deer hunt gone wrong in South Texas, where they stumbled into what seemed to be an organized crime unit operating in the brush country

A conversation with Sheriff Ronnie Dodson of Brewster County, detailing the real challenges of enforcing law and order in vast, remote territories

Alarming trends in property damage, theft, human trafficking, and misuse of drones and advanced optics by criminal groups in border areas

Practical advice for outdoor enthusiasts on how to handle encounters with illegal migrants, using defensive strategies like bear spray, and the importance of readiness, prayer, and self-defense

We also highlight the poignant case of Teresa Hartley in our Missing in the Wild segment, brought to you by B.A.C. Shows—a reminder of the unsolved cases that still demand awareness and justice.

This episode underscores the hidden dangers of borderland wilderness areas, urging hunters, landowners, fishermen, hikers, and campers to stay vigilant and prepared.

Chester Moore sits down with Kylie Low, host of the chart-topping podcast Dark Downeast, to unravel baffling cases of murder and mayhem in the great outdoors.

On this special edition of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore welcomes Kylie Low, creator and host of the Apple Podcasts true crime chart-topper Dark Downeast.

Together, they explore a series of baffling and chilling cases where crime collides with wilderness—from unexplained murders to strange tales of violence in remote outdoor settings.

This crossover episode highlights how the true crime genre intersects with the hidden perils of the outdoors, offering insights from two storytellers dedicated to uncovering the darker side of human nature and the wild.

If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts and the mysteries lurking just beyond the trail, this episode is a must-listen.

When a man was found dead in Hood County, TX, officials first blamed a mountain lion—then changed the cause of death to “undetermined.” Some believe a human predator may be the real culprit.

When Christopher Whiteley was discovered dead in Hood County, Texas, authorities initially claimed a cougar (mountain lion) had attacked him. But after the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the USDA reviewed the case, they dismissed the animal-attack theory and reclassified the cause of death as “undetermined.”

Now, some believe this tragedy may point to something far darker: a human killer.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore speaks with Morgan O’Hanlan of Texas Monthly, who investigated the case in-depth. Together, they explore:

Why officials first pointed to a mountain lion attack

The evidence that cast doubt on the animal theory

The possibility of a human predator being responsible

The bigger questions this case raises about wildlife, rural safety, and outdoor crime investigations

This unsettling episode asks the chilling question: What really killed Christopher Whiteley?

In this intense episode of Dark Outdoors®, Ricky Morgan recounts being mauled by a massive wild hog—while Chester Moore explores the rising threat of feral hog attacks and how to survive them.

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore welcomes Ricky Morgan, who survived a terrifying encounter with a giant wild boar in the South Texas brush. Ricky’s firsthand account of the attack is both chilling and instructive, underscoring the growing danger of feral hog incidents across the U.S.

This episode covers:

Ricky’s detailed story of the hog attack and how he managed to survive

The disturbing upsurge of hog attacks across the South, West, and Northeast

Defensive strategies, including how something as simple as a walking stick can be a lifesaving tool

The unsolved disappearance of Thomas Irwin from Mesa Verde National Park in our Missing in the Wild segment

Additional dangers in the outdoors, from aggressive black bears to human trafficking risks in remote areas

Practical self-defense tips: how to use your mind as your best weapon, observe threats, and avoid traps when attempting rescues

Expert advice on recognizing and evading hog-related dangers beyond media hype

This episode shines a spotlight on both wildlife threats and human dangers in the outdoors—arming listeners with knowledge, preparation, and respect for the wilderness.

From bloodcurdling cries to chilling growls, Chester Moore investigates the sounds that haunt hunters and hikers—featuring special guest Ron Morehead, the man who recorded the legendary Sierra Sounds.

Hunters, hikers, and outdoor lovers across the country report hearing terrifying screams, growls, and eerie cries in the wild. In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, hostChester takes a deep dive into these unsettling sounds and what may be behind them.

We explore:

Known wildlife calls that can sound frightening in the dark woods

Exotic vocalizations linked to invasive species expanding their range

The chilling unknown, with insights from Ron Morehead, best known for his groundbreaking Sierra Soun recordings—some of the most famous alleged Bigfoot audio evidence ever captured

Chester Moore talks with cryptid author Lyle Blackburn about the Fouke Monster—and with Pamula Pierce Barcelou, daughter of Legend of Boggy Creek director Charles Pierce, about the restored 4K release.

In this special Halloween edition of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore celebrates one of the most iconic cryptid legends of all time: the Fouke Monster.

This episode features:

A conversation with Lyle Blackburn, author of The Beast of Boggy Creek, Momo: The Strange Case of the Missouri Monster, and other cryptid classics, on the Fouke Monster and other alleged aggressive cryptids

An interview with Pamula Pierce Barcelou, daughter of filmmaker Charles Pierce, who shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the legendary film The Legend of Boggy Creek and details about its newly restored 4K release

This fun and spooky Halloween episode blends cryptozoology, film history, and Southern folklore,

Chester Moore investigates a surge in feral dog attacks—from a Texas fatality to a Georgia mauling—and speaks with Jerry Mills of Wolf Tejas, who shot his way out of a pack ambush.

In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Mooreinvestigatesrising problem of feral dog attacks across the U.S.—and what it means for anyone who spends time outside.

You’ll hear:

Jerry Mills (Wolf Tejas) recount how he shot his way out of a pack of feral dogs

Details from a brutal attack in Georgia and a recent fatality in Texas

Chester’s own narrow escape from a feral pit bull

Practical outdoor safety tips for recognizing, avoiding, and surviving feral dog encounters

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but feral dogs can be a nightmare—this episode explains why and how to protect yourself.

But is brought to you by Texas Fish & Game and Texas Frightmare Weekend.

Follow Chester Moore on Instagram @thechestermoore

ChesterPark host Delia D’Ambra to discuss the chilling reality of missing people in America’s parks and forests.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore talks with the creator of the acclaimed true-crime podcast Park Preda. Together, they examine the disturbing number of mysterious disappearances in national parks, forests, and other public lands.

They discuss:

Why so many people vanish without explanation in the outdoors

The mysterious circumstances behind these cases

How Park Predators brings overdue attention to tragedies often ignored by mainstream media

Connect with Delia’s investigative work through her podcasts and reporting.

📲 Follow Chester Moore:

@thechestermoore

Facebook: Higher Calling Wildlife

Blog: highercalling.net

From serial killers to covert operatives, this Dark Outdoors® episode exposes the sinister dangers hiding in one of Texas’s most famous forests.

In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore probes the dark mysteries of the Sam Houston National Forest.

Highlights include:

An archival interview with the founder of the Missing TX 40 Project

Compelling information on a serial killer with ties to the forest, currently serving time after pleading guilty in connection to a woman found murdered in a barrel on his property

The disturbing fact that his property sits across the street from the forest—and that he began killing and savagely raping women as a teen in the late 1970s

Additional accounts of dangerous encounters in the Sam Houston woods

A shocking final story involving covert operatives operating in the forest

This episode sheds light on why the Sam Houston National Forest remains one of the most unsettling and dangerous outdoor locations in Texas.

From a bloody, bearded stranger in the woods to an attempted abduction and a brush with Ted Bundy’s dark trail, this Dark Outdoors® episode proves the wilderness can be just as terrifying as the movies.

The cult classic Southern Comfort terrified outdoors lovers when it debuted in 1981—but the real-life stories in this episode of Dark Outdoors® are just as chilling.

Host Chester Moore explores:

Lou Marullo’s eerie encounter with a bloody, bearded man in the woods at night

A terrifying breath in the outdoors

The team’s thoughts on the best non-lethal defense tools for outdoor safety

A shocking connection to Ted Bundy’s handiwork in the deep woods of Utah

This episode blends true crime, survival insight, and wilderness horror stories that will make you think twice the next time you’re far from help.