Higher Calling Wildlife

@gulfgreatwhitesharksociety on Instagram

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Subscribe & Survive: Get a Free Dark Outdoors -True Crime -Decal

August 30, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

“The most dangerous thing in the woods is people.” If you’re into the hard-edged, real-world side of the outdoors—cases, cautionary tales, and how to come home safe—Dark Outdoors® the multiple award-winning podcast is your show and this blog is your gateway to it.

To thank new listeners and readers, I’m mailing out a limited run of Dark Outdoors: The Most Dangerous Thing in the Woods is People decals—free.

What you’ll get

That creepy phantom killer image above is what you will get! It’s a perfect slap for your cooler, gun case, tackle box, or back glass. It’s a badge that says you take the wild—and the people in it—seriously.

How to claim yours (3 quick steps)

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast using my Linktree where you will find links to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio & Audible:
👉 linktr.ee/darkoutdoorspodcast
Subscribe to this blog (Prompt Below)
Email me at chester@chestermoore.com with subject line “Dark Outdoors Decal” and include:
- Your mailing address (name, street, city, state, ZIP)

That’s it—I’ll drop a decal in the mail.

Why subscribe?

Real cases & real takeaways. Situational awareness, backcountry smarts, and stories that could save a life.
Expert voices. Law enforcement, search-and-rescue, biologists, survivors.
No fluff. Field-tested safety talk for hunters, anglers, hikers, and anyone who goes where the pavement ends.

Fine print (simple & fair)

Free while supplies last. One decal per household.
U.S. mailing addresses only for now.
Please allow a couple of weeks for delivery.
Your mailing address is used only to send the decal—no spam, no sharing.

Want to help even more?

After you subscribe, leave a quick rating or review in your podcast app. It helps other outdoorsmen and women find the show—and it helps keep people safer outside.

Stay sharp out there.

Chester Moore

PS: As I say at the end of every episode before you enter the outdoors, “Pray. Prepare & Pack Heat”.

Dark Outdoors

Survival Tips From Delta Force Original

August 4, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Join us on Dark Outdoors® for an unforgettable conversation with Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Mike R. Vining—explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) pioneer and Delta Force operative—and his wife, acclaimed wildlife photographer and author Donna Ikenberry. Married atop Mauna Kea in 1999 after Mike’s decorated 30‑year military career (including Vietnam, Eagle Claw, Desert Storm, and more)

Donna has since published over a thousand images, guidebooks, and magazine articles from nearly every continent Donna Ikenberry Photography.

You can listen and subscribe here.

In this episode we explore:

Top strategies for staying safe in remote terrains—from avalanche zones to wildlife territory.
How Donna approaches storytelling through photography in unpredictable environments.
Lessons Mike has learned from decades of military and outdoor leadership: situational awareness, risk assessment, and self-reliance.
Tips for adventure couples: teamwork, planning, resilience—and capturing moments worth preserving.

Tune in for a uniquely dynamic pairing: military precision meets nature’s art—illuminated by humor, hard-earned wisdom, and couple‑led courage in the wild.

And if you missed the previous episode-about the double murder at Devil’s Den State Park go back and listen.

On July 26, 2025, Clinton and Cristen Brink were brutally murdered while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park—a place known for peace and natural beauty, now marked by violence and fear.

We cover it from what I believe is a different perspective than the rest of the media and link it to a sadly familiar pattern.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

You can listen and subscribe here via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, IHeartradio or Audbile.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Double Murder Of Hikers At Devil’s Den State Park

July 29, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors®, we investigate the heartbreaking double homicide that has shaken Arkansas and the hiking community nationwide. On July 26, 2025, Clinton and Cristen Brink were brutally murdered while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park—a place known for peace and natural beauty, now marked by murder and fear.

We dive deep into:

The latest updates from Arkansas State Police and the FBI-led manhunt for a still-unidentified suspect.
The composite sketch and vehicle description released to the public.
How the Brinks died protecting their daughters, who miraculously survived the attack.
The timeline of events, the 6-hour delay in public alerting, and the investigative challenges posed by rural terrain and limited cell service.
A chilling pattern of trail and park-related murders across North America, from the Appalachian Trail to remote campsites in Oregon and Canada.
How we can balance our love for the outdoors with realistic safety strategies.

This episode is a powerful reminder that wilderness crimes are not just urban legends—they’re happening now, in places we trust. With true crime insight, emotional storytelling, and expert analysis, we bring you the full scope of this ongoing tragedy and the broader implications for hikers, families, and nature lovers.

🎬 Don’t Miss the Documentary: Gulf Great White Sharks – Return of An Icon

Dive deeper into the full story in our groundbreaking documentary:
Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of An Icon — the first film ever dedicated to these mysterious and majestic sharks of the Gulf

It’s getting great reviews and lots of media coverage.

This story and interview with Gulf Great White Shark Society founder Chester Moore on Texas Public Radio has gone viral.

We’ve also had coverage in hundreds of other websites and blogs and in publications like The Examiner, Galveston Daily News, Port Arthur News and Hunter’s Horn.

It’s great to raise awareness to great whites in the Gulf in such fun fashion.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

@gulfgreatwhitesharksociety on Instagram

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

LIsten to the episode here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Mysterious Horse Killers Return & Gulf Great White Sharks

July 16, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors, we uncover a chilling and ongoing mystery unfolding across Texas and beyond—where horses are being found shot, mutilated, or poisoned in a string of brutal and unexplained attacks.

From Kendall and Waller Counties to Bexar and Smith, horses are being executed in pastures, dumped in brush, or even tied up and shot in the head. Authorities have few leads—and the killers remain free.

We examine whether these killings are tied to the illegal horse meat trade, part of a ritualistic pattern, or the work of thrill killers. And we expand our search beyond Texas—to Nevada—where a serial horse killer is targeting ranch animals near Las Vegas with chilling precision.

With exclusive insight from Higher Calling Wildlife’s investigative reports, this episode dives deep into what may be a multi-state pattern of cruelty, fear, and silence. If you’re a rancher, horse owner, or outdoor enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this investigation into what might be the most underreported animal cruelty crime wave in the U.S.

Follow Us At Gulf Great White Shark Society

In June 2025, I launched the Gulf Great White Shark Society, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the presence and importance of great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

Timed with the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the Society’s founding celebration took place at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas, featuring a documentary premiere, awards, and scholarships honoring young conservationists.

The Society has already garnered recognition, with its website receiving “Best Outdoors Website” honors from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association.

For updates, ocean education, and behind-the-scenes looks at shark conservation efforts, follow the Gulf Great White Shark Society on Instagram: @gulfgreatwhitesharksociety

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

Click here to access the event page on Facebook. Please RSVP.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

This One Tip Can Save You From Massive Outdoors Dangers-And No One Talks About It!

May 22, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

One of the most important outdoor safety tips I can give for the outdoors—especially if you’re hiking or exploring remote areas—is this: be cautious of places that have an unusual amount of foot traffic for how remote they are. If you’re deep in the wilderness and start noticing a lot of signs of people—worn paths, tire tracks, trash, even campsites in strange spots—that’s often a red flag.

These areas can sometimes be used for illegal activity, and trust me, you do not want to accidentally stumble into something like that. I once found myself in a situation just like this, and it led me straight to a meth lab. It was one of the most unsettling experiences I’ve had in the outdoors. I talk about some of the host horrifying encounters I’ve collected over the years in the latest episode of Dark Outdoors. Listen here.

Encounters with illegal grows or trafficking operations are some of the most dangerous things that can happen out there. We’ve collected several terrifying tales from people who’ve faced these kinds of threats firsthand—including one near the infamous ‘Murder Mountain,’ made famous by the Netflix series.

🎧 Click here to listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Audible.

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

*A serial killer who turned himself in with “physical” evidence.

*Held at gunpoint on a deer lease

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

Mountain Goats!

Rocky Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are the alpine acrobats of North America, thriving in some of the continent’s most rugged and inaccessible terrain.

Despite their name, these creatures aren’t true goats; they’re more closely related to antelopes and belong to the Bovidae family. Their unique adaptations allow them to scale near-vertical cliffs with slopes exceeding 60°, thanks to specialized hooves with rough pads that provide exceptional grip on rocky surfaces .

Both male and female mountain goats sport black, recurved horns that continue to grow throughout their lives, with age rings that can be counted to determine their age after about 22 months . Their thick, white double-layered coats are not just for show; they provide insulation against harsh alpine climates, withstanding temperatures as low as -46°C and winds up to 160 km/h .

I am revamping our Higher Calling Wildlife® podcast with a new format but before we do, we have a killer episode on mountain goats that my daughter Faith helped co-host.

Check it out here.

Gulf Great White Shark Documentary Premiee-You’re Invited!

A documentary from award-winning wildlife journalist & conservationist Chester Moore.

A mysterious great white shark sighting out of Sabine Pass, TX leads to a 20-year investigation from the Texas Gulf Coast to Cape Cod. This proves the true apex predator of the Gulf of Mexico is returning to southern waters in a big win for ocean conservation.

World Premiere Presentation at Museum of the Gulf Coast Saturday June 21.

700 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640

Event 10-2

Documentary Premiere at Noon with second playing at 1 p.m.

Celebrating the new groundbreaking documentary on the 50th anniversary date of the “Jaws” release.

*”The Jaws Effect: Presentation by Chester Moore

*Premiere of Documentary

*Q&A with Chester Moore & Videographer & Editor Paul Fuzinski and some of the stars.

*Door Prizes

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, IHeartradio & Audible.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Black Bear Kills Florida Man

May 10, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

In a shocking and unprecedented incident, an 88-year-old man and his dog were killed in what officials believe was a black bear attack near Jerome, Florida, early Monday morning. According to ABC News, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed this as the first fatal bear attack ever recorded in the state.

The victim, Robert Markel, was found by his daughter after she heard a disturbance and witnessed a bear attacking their family dog. After the dog was fatally mauled, she searched for her father and tragically discovered that he, too, had been attacked and killed. The two attacks occurred within a few hundred yards of each other and at different times, according to FWC spokesperson George Reynaud.

As reported by CBS News, wildlife officers immediately began searching for the black bear, setting four traps in the area and using drones to canvass the terrain. Two bears were euthanized Monday night, and The Associated Press notes that DNA testing is currently underway to determine whether either of them was responsible for the attacks.

The incident occurred near State Road 29 and U.S. 41, on the southern edge of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. Officials have urged the public to stay away from the area while the investigation continues and to exercise caution around wildlife

Read the rest of the story here.

Strangest Poaching Case Ever?

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 poacher 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.

You can listen directly on Podbean here.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors, Great White Sharks

The Missing Texas 40 & Great White Event

May 2, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

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.

You can subscribe and listen here via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, IHeartradio Audible.

.Gulf Great White Sharks Event

Join the Museum of the Gulf Coast and Higher Calling Wildlife for the official debut of Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 700 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX. This exciting, family-friendly event is free and open to the public, featuring a screening of the brand-new documentary produced by award-winning wildlife journalist Chester Moore and filmed by Paul Fuzinski. The film dives deep into the mysterious reappearance of great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, including Texas waters.

Alongside the film, attendees will enjoy a shark conservation seminar, expert insights into Gulf wildlife, behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories, and family activities. Celebrate ocean science and pop culture on the 50th anniversary weekend of Jaws—the perfect moment to explore the real-life counterparts of the iconic shark.

👉 Event Details on Facebook

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Self Defense At Campsites & Vehicles In The Great Outdoors

April 24, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

In an intense episode of Dark Outdoors, we dive into real-world survival self defense 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.

Listen and subscribe here .

Joining us is special guest Jeff Stewart—renowned author, gunsmith, and outdoorsman—who brings decades of tactical knowledge and backwoods experience and self defense 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.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

You can listen and subscribe here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Iheartradio, Audible & More

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors

Mysterious Hooded People In The Great Outdoors – Who Are They?

April 2, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

My Dark Outdoors® podcast deals with true crime and terrifying encounters in the great outdoors. The idea is to raise awareness of dangers and maybe tell a few creepy campfire stories. The episode that just dropped is the darkest yet and it involves encounters with strange hooded figures.

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 locations in the great outdoors.

Listen directly via Podbean here.

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.”

“Jaws” Knock-Offs

The massive success of Jaws (1975) not only redefined the summer blockbuster but also inspired a wave of imitators eager to cash in on the public’s newfound fear of apex predators. While none of these films reached Spielberg’s level of artistry, many delivered their own blend of thrills, camp, and memorable moments and we thought they would be fun to talk about this year in the 50th anniversary celebration of the far superior original. Here are three standout Jaws knock-offs from the 70s and 80s that have earned their cult followings

1. Grizzly (1976)

What happens when you swap the ocean for a national park and the great white shark for a 15-foot-tall grizzly bear? You get Grizzly, directed by William Girdler and often dubbed “Jaws with claws.” This film follows park ranger Michael Kelly (Christopher George) as he battles a giant, man-eating bear terrorizing a state park.

To read the full article go to my Gulf Great White Sharks blog here.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.