Recently, I had the incredible privilege of meeting a young girl named Vivian through the National Bighorn Sheep Center in Dubois, WY. Our organization works with kids who might need a little extra encouragement in their lives, and Vivian was chosen to receive a special surprise during our visit to the center for some documentary work.
I have met a lot of kids, but none quite with the same zeal for wildlife, particularly wolves, as Vivian. Her enthusiasm and curiosity about these majestic creatures are truly inspiring.
I genuinely believe she will become a great conservationist one day, using her passion and intelligence to make significant contributions. Beyond all that, Vivian is simply a great person.
To celebrate her love for wolves, we gifted Vivian a collection of wolf books and memorabilia. Her eyes lit up with joy as she explored each item, her excitement palpable. One of the most touching moments was when I told her about a donation made in her honor to Painted Dog Conservation. Knowing that her love for wolves had a ripple effect, reaching wild dogs in Africa, made her beam with pride.
The past few weeks have been emotionally challenging for me, with the demanding nature of our work with kids weighing heavily. However, meeting Vivian was a breath of fresh air. Her sweetness and inspiring spirit gave me a much-needed boost, reminding me why we do what we do.
To top off the day, I presented Vivian with a long out-of-print Time Life Books Wild, Wild World of Animals “Big Cats” book. This book was a cherished part of my childhood, and I wrote a special note for Vivian inside, letting her know she is awesome and that great things can and will happen in her life.
Seeing Vivian’s joy and knowing we made a difference in her life was an unforgettable experience.
She reminded me of the importance of nurturing young passion and the incredible impact it can have on the world. Vivian’s love for wildlife and her kind heart have left an indelible mark on me and Higher Calling Wildlife.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of having a young boy named Andy join us on a wildlife photography trip in Yellowstone National Park.
We were doing some filming and wildlife photography so we thought we should see if any local kids wanted to join in on the fun.
Andy, a bright 12-year-old from Dubois, WY, joined us through the National Bighorn Sheep Center. It was a day filled with excitement and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
We started early in the morning, the sun barely up, with our cameras ready. The crisp air was invigorating, especially for a Southeast Texan like me who was coming from a 100 degree swamp.
As we made our way through the park, a group of pronghorns appeared, their graceful forms moving elegantly across the landscape. Andy was thrilled, especially when a nice buck came close enough for him to get some great photos.
He told me his grandmother sometimes affectionately calls him “Andylope,” and he found it especially cool to see these animals up close.
Photo by Andy
Later, we spotted a big cow elk grazing in a small meadow. And nearby, a vibrant yellow-headed blackbird perched emerged, adding a splash of color to the scene. Andy’s eyes lit up with excitement as he got a perfect shot of the bird.
Photo by Andy
The highlight of our day was visiting the Lamar Valley, often called the “Serengeti of North America.” Here, we saw huge herds of bison roaming freely. Andy was in awe, and we spent a lot of time photographing these iconic animals. I shared with Andy the conservation history of the American bison, explaining how they were brought back from the brink of extinction.
Photo by Andy
Andy was a lot of fun to be around.
His sharp mind and fun, snarky sense of humor kept us all entertained. It was inspiring to see his enthusiasm and curiosity about the natural world. Our time together reminded me of the importance of connecting with the younger generation, of truly getting to know them and recognizing the unique perspectives they bring.
Andy is proof that kids have so much to offer to the world. His passion for wildlife and photography was clear, and I have no doubt he has a bright future ahead.
Spending time with Andy in the field reminded me why I love what I do and the joy that comes from sharing these experiences with others.
The trip is fully-funded (travel, lodging for families etc, permits, etc.) but we would love for some of you to bless kids out there through our gift giving.
We are going to be working with families of children facing special challenges such as critical illness, parental/sibling loss and other issues. We are asking for your help to buy plush bison, a Yellowstone wildlife field guide and a bear necklace.
We will also be giving wildlife conservation gift packages to kids with their families we meet while in Wyoming and Montana.
It’s a great way for you to join us in reaching out to kids and letting them know they are loved and that they can become a voice for wildlife conservation.
We will put the same materials in these bags but the plush, wildlife field guide and necklace will be specific to Yellowstonte.
Besides the gifts on the Amazon list we put in educational material from our friends at The Wild Sheep Foundation, our decals and a special card with a QR code that goes to a video explaining how to get involved with conservation.
If you order gifts from this list, they will be shipped directly to us.
During the winter, my favorite after school hobby in seventh grade was to go rabbit hunting on the railroad tracks behind our house.
Despite being surrounded by woods and rice fields, we were in the city limits so I had to carry a pellet gun for legal purposes.
It was a .20 caliber Sheridan which was as powerful as a .22 at short distances so it made a perfect rabbit gun in an environment where stealth was the key.
I was taught we only killed what we would eat and our family loved eat fresh rabbit. (It’s good folks!)
I had plans to cross through this particular field and look for rabbits along the edge of the trees but then I heard something.
Photo by Kamille Wood
There was no wind, so anything that moved made sounds in the dry leaves and dying grass and I thought I heard faint footsteps in the brush. I took a position beside a tallow tree, raised my gun and clicked off the safety.
My heart pounded as a large cougar walked slowly out of the brush and into the field. It had a medium-brown coat, a long tail as big around as my fist and a muscular, chiseled frame.
I was fascinated than scared as the cat turned around and looked me directly in the eye. It was a look of complete confidence almost as if it was saying that I was going to need something bigger than this Sheridan pellet gun to do it in.
The author got to go with Texas Parks & Wildlife to put radio collars on baby cougars in South Texas when he was in college.
The cat then turned and slowly made its way over a levee.
Once I knew it was gone I ran. Running from predators is never a good idea because it excites them so I waited until it was out of my line of vision and took off.
I flung our door open and shouted, “Cougar!”
Mom and Dad believed me right away because I was already an expert at wildlife identification but they suggested I call our neighbors down the road who had a cougar named “Sandy” for a pet. This cat was bigger than “Sandy” but I called anyway.
“Hey Cher, did Sandy get loose?”
“Hold on Chester, let me check.”
“Nope, she’s on the runner in the back yard. Why?”
“I just saw a cougar back on the railroad tracks. It was bigger than Sandy but I wanted to check anyway.”
“Oh that must be the male. She went into heat last month and a male was calling out to her at night from back there.”
Amazing!
Some “experts” will tell you there are no cougars in East Texas, but there certainly was one standing in front of me when I was in seventh grade.
My encounter cemented a love for cougars and for the proper management of their species in the ecosystem.
If you have had an exciting cougar sighting in Texas or have a photo or video of a cougar from anywhere email to chester@chestermoore.com. We want to share them in a future feature on this extremely popular topic.
Moose are some of the most incredible animals in North America.
These massive creatures face numerous challenges, and it’s crucial to raise awareness about what’s going on with them.
While not anywhere near endangered or threatened there are issues that need a deeper examination.
Moose are primarily found in the northern parts of the United States, and Canada thriving in cold climates and forested areas. Warming temperatures, particularly in parts of their range, have disrupted their natural habitats.
Declining water sources in some areas are causing moose problems. (Photo by Caden)
This has manifested in an explosion of tick infestations. Warmer winters mean more ticks survive, leading to higher infestations. These parasites can weaken moose, making them more susceptible to diseases and reducing their chances of survival, especially in calves. One moose was verified to have more than 100,000 ticks on it.
Habitat loss is another pressing concern. As urban areas expand and forests are cleared for development, moose lose their natural habitats. This not only forces them into closer contact with humans, leading to more moose-human conflicts but also increases the likelihood of encounters with dogs, which can be dangerous for both the animals and humans involved.
Mule deer like moose which share much of the same habitat in Colorado have been impacted by increasing wolves and bears in certain areas. (Photo by Bellamy)
In regions like Yellowstone, the reintroduction of wolves has had a negative impact on moose numbers. While wolves play a role in ecosystems, their predation pressure on moose has contributed to declining populations in some areas.
In 2024, my wife, Lisa and I will lead an expedition in Colorado to give kids the opportunity to photograph wildlife and we had a great opportunity to photograph a bull moose.
Higher Calling Wildlife® aims to teach kids how to use photography as a tool for wildlife conservation, fostering a deeper connection with nature and raising awareness of conservation issues.
(Photo by Bode)
This expedition is also the launch of Lisa’s “Moose Mission” project. Inspired by a 2019 encounter with a moose in Colorado, Lisa developed a profound respect for the species and felt compelled to help them.
“That encounter made me realize just how majestic and vulnerable these animals are. I knew I had to find a way to contribute to their conservation.”
Through the Moose Mission, we hope to shed light on the various challenges moose face and encourage more people to get involved in conservation efforts. By educating the next generation about the importance of preserving wildlife, we can inspire them to take action and make a difference.
We enjoyed our time in the Colorado wild with a wonderful family who took to wildlife photography and we could tell had a deep appreciation for wildlife.
Their photographic efforts shown here are helping people learn more about moose conservation. We can’t thank them enough.
(Photo by Asher)
And thank you for joining us in this mission. Stay tuned for updates from the field and stories from the young photographers who are making a difference. Together, we can make a significant impact on wildlife conservation.
Mule deer, iconic residents of the Western United States, Northern Mexico and Southern Canada, face an increasingly challenging landscape as human activities and natural factors threaten their populations.
One significant issue impacting mule deer is the fragmentation and loss of their traditional migration corridors.
Photo by Bexley Schumaker
These corridors are vital for their seasonal movements between summer and winter habitats, allowing them to find suitable forage and avoid harsh weather conditions.
However, as human development expands, these corridors are often disrupted or completely cut off, forcing deer into less favorable habitats or preventing them from accessing critical resources.
Efforts to mitigate this threat include the establishment of wildlife crossings. These structures, such as overpasses and underpasses, allow these deer and other wildlife to safely traverse roads and highways, reducing the risk of collisions with vehicles and reconnecting fragmented habitats.
Wildlife crossings have proven effective in various regions, helping to restore natural movement patterns and reduce stress on mule deer populations.
Photo by Ronan Schumaker
Another emerging threat to mule deer comes from increasing predator populations, particularly wolves, whose reintroduction in some areas has led to predation pressures on deer populations.
Photo by Chester Moore
Additionally, mule deer face competition for resources from elk and whitetail deer, further impacting their access to food and habitat.
Photo by Gannon Schumaker
Despite these challenges, mule deer populations across their range are generally stable, but proactive conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring their long-term survival.
Hunter-conservationist groups like The Mule Deer Foundation have done much to advocate for habitat restoration and wildlife crossings.
Higher Calling Wildlife® recently collaborated with children from Colorado, engaging them in photographing mule deer to raise awareness to the importance of conservation and the challenges these animals face.
I was honored to work with the children from Colorado to capture stunning photographs of mule deer. The photos you see here were taken by the four awesome kids from the Schumaker family and highlight the beauty of these animals.
Photo by Declan Schumaker
By addressing threats such as habitat fragmentation, predation, and competition from other species, and by promoting initiatives like wildlife crossings we can ensure that mule deer continue to thrive across their expansive range.
Through education, advocacy, and collaborative efforts, we can conserve their natural heritage for generations to come.
It was a true honor and privilege to work with kids who have a heart for wildlife and wild places.
Higher Calling Wildlife® an outreach, founded by renowned wildlife journalist & conservationist Chester Moore, is thrilled to announce the launch of its “Summer of the Shark” program.
This exciting initiative aims to educate and inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists by teaching kids about shark conservation.
The “Summer of the Shark” program is designed to provide young people with a deeper understanding of the vital role sharks play in marine ecosystems. Through engaging activities and mentorship, children will learn about the challenges sharks face and the importance of conservation efforts.
Chester Moore and Ericashea Borel from the Wild Wishes program in the cage at the Texas State Aquarium in 2023.
A highlight of the program will be the distribution of gifts to children on beaches this summer. These gifts, which include educational materials and conservation-themed items, aim to make learning about sharks fun and memorable.
Additionally, the program will extend its reach to shark-loving children facing special challenges, such as terminal illnesses, by sending these gifts to them across the country.
“It is exciting to help support a program that does so much in youth outreach within the context of marine conservation,” said CCA President Pat Murray.
“Chester’s vision and work are more than inspirational. He helps guide kids into natural resources conservation while also elevating the important and intricate issues in domestic and international shark management and conservation.”
The Higher Calling Wildlife® outreach has a long-standing commitment to wildlife education and conservation but especially in helping young people.
“CCA’s commitment to this program is enabling us to do some amazing things this summer. This will we’re taking three kids shark snorkeling at the Texas State Aquarium in their shark cage and kicking off the gift-giving part of the program. CCA is vital in making this happen,” Moore said.
“LeeBeth” photo courtesy Chip Michalove/Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
“The three awesome young people we have going with us are inspiring to me and I’m excited to take them out and give out shark education gifts to kick off our summer-long program.”
Moore said inspiration for the program came when “LeeBeth”, a great white shark fitted with a satellite tag by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) popped up on the Texas Coast at South Padre Island.
“When I saw the response to that shark showing up and even my own daughter more engaged than normal on sharks and ocean issues through AWSC’s Sharktivity app, I thought it would be a good time to focus our efforts working with kids on sharks this summer. We’ve done three shark expeditions since 2022 with kids in Texas and Florida and thought we would do something special this year, since we had a special visitor to our coast that got so many kids excited.”
For more information about the “Summer of the Shark” program and how to get involved or connect a kid with the program email chester@chestermoore.com. or text 409-920-2062.
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(For Immediate Release)—Higher Calling Wildlife®, the youth conservation outreach founded by wildlife journalist and conservationist Chester Moore has announced the winner of the 2024 Austin Stevens Young Adventurer Award.
The Austin Stevens Young Adventurer Award is designed to honor young kids with a heart for wildlife, adventure and conservation.
“Austin Stevens is a huge inspiration for me on a personal level and to many, many people around the world for his heart for wildlife and adventure and his astounding wildlife photography” Moore said.
“We wanted to find a unique way to honor Austin and recognize kids who have the potential to become wildlife conservationists in their own right.”
This year’s recipient is Delilah Hunter, a teen from Texas who has a love for wildlife photography and conservation.
“I met her mom Kat Hunter at the 2022 Women Hunt program of the Wild Sheep Foundation out at the FTW Ranch. As we were talking about our kids, I invited Kat’s family to our facility to see our animals and soon me and my wife Lisa and daughter Faith got to meet Delilah,” Moore said.
“She’s a great young lady who has helped with some of our wildlife ministry work, and joined us on our Higher Calling Wildlife “A Voice In The Wilderness” Expedition in Colorado in 2023. Recently, she helped work on a guzzler project of the Texas Bighorn Society.”
A beautiful herd of longhorn cattle made their way across a bluebonnet covered meadow.
Walking down a trail from an oak thicket, one particularly massive bull stopped and glared at us so I felt obliged to jump out of the truck and shoot photos.
“Wild Wishes” is our program that grants exotic animal encounters to kids who have a terminal illness, have lost a parent or sibling or are dealing with other serious issues.
We were at YO Ranch Headquarters near Mountain Home in Kerr County and had just completed granting a “Wild Wish” for a little boy named Amos who got to encounter a giraffe and many other exotic animals at the legendary ranch.
This thing was easily in the 2,000 pound range and gave us a real thrill as buffalos were the topic of conversation riding down the road. “Wild Wishes” grants exotic animal encounters for children who have lost a parent or sibling or who have a terminal illness and to think that the Lord granted us this chance to see such an amazing animal together was humbling to say the least.
Amos and two other wish kids who accompanied us followed me and another chaperone out to photograph the massive bull when we noticed something in the bushes. Hiding under the shade of a live oak was a massive bison. The longhorns were cool but this was awesome!
Then it got better.
From behind another tree stood up something big and white. At first it looked like a bull but when it turned around chills ran up and down my spine. This was no bull. It was a white buffalo.
The Great White Buffalo!
This is the photo I took when the white buffalo appeared before me and the kids.
As I snapped photos, the majestic bison looked us square in the eye and then retreated into the oaks as we stood blown away.
All three of the kids knew about the legend of the white buffalo and its importance to Native American culture and so did I of course.
And I could not help but sing a chorus of my friend Ted Nugent’s “The Great White Buffalo”.
We had no idea such a creature existed on the huge ranch and would not have seen it if we had not decided to pull over and photograph the longhorns.
I have no question the Lord had His hand on this encounter and so did the kids who were excited beyond measure. They had seen something that until then only seemed like a legend.
The author returned later to film a mini-documentary about the white buffalo and got a closer encounter than he ever expected. (Photo by Nolan Haney)
I have had many incredible wildlife encounters and this one ranks right up there with seeing great whites in the Pacific. This was a lifelong dream come true and I got to share it with three very special kids and a friend who is as big a buffalo fan as I am.
Part of my love of bison comes from knowing their tragic history and the great conservation efforts that saved them.
According to the Texas Bison Association, Bison were hunted in various ways.
“Before the Indians rode horseback, they would encircle the herd with tribe members on foot. By getting the animals to mill within the ring they formed, Indians were able to fire large volleys of arrows into the herd until they downed an adequate number of animals.”
“In the 16th Century, when horses were acquired by the Plains Indians, bison hunting became easier. The Indians used other methods to harvest the mighty buffalo: stampeding herds over a cliff, driving the animals into a large natural trap, or into bogs or blind canyons.”
“The most famous hunting technique was the “horse surround.” Several hundred riders would form semicircles on two sides of the herd, then move in until they created a circle around its entirety. As pressure was applied by the oncoming riders, the bison would begin to get confused, start milling and eventually stampeded into a frenzied milling mass. At this point, riders would move in and begin the slaughter with showers of arrows or plunging lances.”
Then came wholesale slaughter of bison by European settlers that was as much to wipe out the Plains tribes that relied on them as it was to sell bison parts. What was once a herd of millions was reduced to less than 1,000 by the late 1800s.
According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, legendary rancher Charles Goodnight started the remnants of the herd on his JA Ranch in the Texas Panhandle in 1878, in attempts to save the animals that had meant so much to him.
“It was actually his wife that influenced the cattle and business tycoon to preserve them, before they disappeared, so that future generations might be able to see and appreciate these special creatures.”
“Somehow, against the odds, a herd of genetic-related Southern bison have managed to survive the decades since, and now, we all benefit from the Goodnights’ vision. When the bison were initially donated to TPWD and moved to Caprock Canyons State Park in 1997, it was discovered that their DNA was different, and feature genetics that are not shared by any other bison in North America. In fact, the Official Texas State Bison Herd at Caprock represents the last remaining examples of the Southern Plains variety.”
Now many ranches proudly raise bison and they are growing in numbers right in Texas on private land and at Caprock Canyons State Park.
Herds in places like Yellowstone are flourishing.
As we walked back to the trucks, the moms, grandmas and dads were excited for the kids (and this big kid) who just encountered something special.. They got to see all of this go down but one thing they did not see were its eyes.
We stared into the eyes of the white buffalo.
None of us may ever be the same.
We locked eyes with a legend.
(If you know of an animal-loving child ages 4-18 that has a critical illness, lost a parent or sibling or is struggling with depression and other issues email lisa@kingdomzoo.com. We would love to do one of our Wild Wishes for them.)
