What do wolves living near major cities, the abandoned landscapes of Chernobyl and the genetic legacy of red wolves on Galveston Island have in common?
They’re all part of the fascinating intersection of wildlife, mystery and human history explored in a special week of Dark Outdoors® episodes.
Beginning Monday, October 26, Higher Calling Wildlife founder Chester Moore will celebrate a major milestone with his Dark Outdoors podcast: 100 episodes, culminating in a special Halloween release on October 31.
The celebration, called Dark Outdoors Week, features six consecutive days of episodes exploring wildlife mysteries, unusual encounters, folklore, horror movie history and real-life investigations.
One of the week’s highlights is an episode inspired by the 1981 horror classic Wolfen, which imagined intelligent predators surviving in the forgotten places of New York City.
In Real-Life Wolfen: Are Wolves Living Just Beyond the City Lights?, Moore examines scientific research documenting gray wolves adapting to landscapes near European cities, the remarkable wolf population around Chernobyl and the discovery of coyotes carrying red wolf ancestry on Galveston Island.
The Galveston animals, sometimes called ghost wolves, are particularly fascinating because they preserve part of the genetic heritage of red wolves that once inhabited the Texas Gulf Coast.
Another episode explores the relationship between wolves and centuries of folklore, including the frightening werewolf stories that have shaped human perceptions of these remarkable predators. Moore recounts discovering a disturbing ritual described in a book during his childhood, while emphasizing caution about occult practices rather than encouraging participation in them.
Dark Outdoors Week: October 26–31
Here’s the complete schedule:
- Monday, October 26 — Blood Road: The Grim Reaper and the Road That Bled. A personal investigation into a mysterious Southeast Texas road and the unusual stories surrounding it.
- Tuesday, October 27 — When the Real Pamela Voorhees Called Me. Moore shares his personal connection with actress Betsy Palmer of Friday the 13th and explores real-life events and legends connected to summer camp horror.
- Wednesday, October 28 — Real-Life Wolfen: Are Wolves Living Just Beyond the City Lights? A wildlife investigation exploring gray wolves near European cities, Chernobyl’s wolves and Galveston’s ghost wolves.
- Thursday, October 29 — The Werewolf Ritual That Terrified Me as a Kid. Moore recalls discovering a disturbing description of a supposed werewolf ritual in a book during his elementary school years. The episode explores wolf folklore, the historical origins of werewolf beliefs and the importance of approaching occult traditions with caution rather than curiosity about practicing them.
- Friday, October 30 — The Hooded Ones: New Accounts and Strange Origins. An examination of mysterious encounters and the historical imagery associated with hooded figures.
- Saturday, October 31 — Episode 100: The Real Jason: The Phantom Killer’s Legacy. The Halloween finale investigates the 1946 Texarkana Phantom Killer murders and their influence on American horror culture.
Special Daily Giveaways
To celebrate the 100-episode milestone, Moore will also be hosting giveaways every day during Dark Outdoors Week on the Chester Moore – Higher Calling Wildlife Facebook page.
Followers are encouraged to check the page daily throughout October 26–31 for giveaway opportunities and updates.
While Higher Calling Wildlife focuses on wildlife conservation, education and inspiring people to connect with the natural world, Dark Outdoors explores another side of that relationship: the mysteries, fears, dangers and extraordinary stories associated with the outdoors.
Both projects share a fascination with discovery and the remarkable things that can be found beyond the familiar.
Dark Outdoors® is available on all major platforms where you listen to podcasts.
Join the celebration October 26–31 as Dark Outdoors reaches its 100th episode on Halloween!
Chester Moore
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