If you think you know America’s wild places, think again.
The new documentary Wild Men: The Search for Feral Humans, Lost Tribes & Primitive Humanity takes you beyond the edge of civilization—into the deep wilderness where the line between man, myth, and memory disappears.
Filmed in out of the way places in Texas, Wild Men explores the shocking possibility that humans who vanished from history may still walk among us.
For more than a century, it’s been home to eerie lights, strange cries in the nigh and shadowed figures moving through the trees.
Wildlife journalist Chester Moore and researcher-author Lyle Blackburn set out to separate fact from legend—and what they found blurred both.
Are these remnants of the lost tribes, still living deep within the Texas wilderness? Or modern survivalists who chose to disappear, living primitive and feral by choice? Wild Men follows Moore and Blackburn as they trace the evidence—through the Big Thicket, across the Old and Lost River, and into a world that feels untouched by time.
This isn’t a monster hunt. It’s a revelation.
Wild Men forces us to ask questions we’d rather avoid: What happens when people abandon civilization? Do they become something else? Or have we simply forgotten what we once were?
Watch Wild Men: The Search for Feral Humans, Lost Tribes & Primitive Humanity today here.
Experience the truth for yourself—and help uncover the mystery that refuses to fade.
Watch it. Share it. Comment.
If you have had similar encounters email them to chester@chestermoore.com. We would love to add them to our growing database.
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A wild story has been spreading across social media — claiming that Texas Game Wardens arrested a man for trying to hunt squirrels with his bare hands and teeth near Lake Tawakoni. According to the viral post, the man called himself a “primal predator” and argued his “God-given claws and fangs” meant he didn’t need a hunting license.
Is the viral Black Panther photo in America the best proof yet—or just another internet hoax?
In this video, I break down the origins of the photo, analyze whether it could be real, and share my personal opinion on what it means for the ongoing mystery of Black Panthers in the United States.
From eyewitness accounts to expert skepticism, we dig deep into one of the most talked-about wildlife controversies in America today.
👉 What do YOU think—are Black Panthers really roaming the wild in the U.S.? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Gulf Great White Shark Society Gift
On the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the newly-founded Gulf Great White Shark Society celebrated Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon at the Museum of the Gulf Coast with a unique artistic contribution.
The Society’s founder, award-winning wildlife journalist Chester Moore, partnered with renowned wildlife artist Calvin Carter to create the official premiere artwork, honoring the return of great white sharks to the Gulf and promoting conservation awareness.
Click to watch the documentary.
“Speaking with Calvin to give him the insights on great whites in the Gulf to create this piece was an incredible experience, and it added a lot to our premiere and thrilled the capacity crowd at the Museum of the Gulf Coast,” Moore said.
“After visiting the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Shark Center in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod twice in 2024, and even having the honor of tagging along on their drone study of great whites off those beautiful shores with my videographer friend Paul Fuzinski, I decided the best thing to do with the original artwork was to donate it to them for their future fundraisers.”
Calvin Carter putting final touches on the piece.
Through the event, the Society was also able to contribute a $300 donation directly to AWSC.
“They are doing groundbreaking work on shark science and safety, and it means a lot to support their mission. I reached out to AWSC co-founder Cynthia Wigren and was excited to see they were happy to take the beautiful piece Calvin created,” Moore added.
Calvin Carter expressed his excitement for the project.
“I’m honored to work with Chester on something so meaningful. Art can play a powerful role in helping people connect with conservation. I’m especially proud to represent the Gulf’s great whites, a subject close to my heart,” Carter said.
Chester and Calvin in the official Calvin Carter Art Studio.
The piece was inspired by “LeeBeth,” the great white shark that made headlines when she appeared off South Padre Island in 2024. Having spent much of his time in South Padre, Carter drew on the landscape and atmosphere of the area to capture “the idea of another great white just beyond the surf, once again showing the comeback of the species and how they show up in unexpected places.”
“Art is a universal way to convey the beauty and awe of sharks,” Moore said.
“It’s something even kids can engage with and Calvin knows this best, since he also teaches high school art,” Moore said.
Together, the Society and Carter hope that this collaboration will not only honor the Gulf’s connection to these apex predators but also help fund critical conservation work through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
“The return of great whites to the Gulf is a reminder that our waters are alive with wonder,” Moore said.
“By blending science, art, and community, we can inspire people of all ages to protect these incredible creatures and ensure their legacy endures for generations.”
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The nights are getting longer, the air is crisp, and the woods feel just a little darker this time of year. That can only mean one thing: Dark Outdoors October has arrived.
All month long, we’re turning up the atmosphere with stories, scares, and survival tips that bring out both the thrill and the reality of the great outdoors.
And we’re celebrating it in the style of my award-winning podcast Dark Outdoors®!
Everyone loves a good campfire tale — the kind that makes you glance over your shoulder when the trees rustle. This month, we’ve collected some of the creepiest outdoor stories we’ve ever heard. From strange disappearances on lonely trails to ghostly encounters deep in the wilderness, these tales are meant to keep you hooked… and maybe a little spooked.
Yep, we’re going to have some fun monster tales.
Outdoor Safety Awareness
Darkness and fear make a perfect mix for a good story — but real danger is no joke. That’s why Dark Outdoors October isn’t just about chills. We’re also spotlighting essential outdoor safety awareness: how to prepare for solo hikes, how to stay safe when camping off the grid, and what to do if you encounter wildlife in unsettling situations. Our goal? To make sure the only scares you face are the ones you want.
The most dangerous thing in the woods is people-and this guy (Ted Bundy) was the apex version of that.
Strange Outdoors Cinema
For those who like their scares on screen, we’re also exploring strange and unsettling cinema set in the great outdoors. From backwoods horror classics to overlooked indie gems, we’ll talk about how filmmakers capture the primal fear of being far from safety — and why the wilderness is one of the creepiest settings for a story ever told.
No way we’re letting the month pass without talking about outdoors-centered horror like Friday the 13th.
See Me Live
If you’re in the area, you’ve got a chance to be part of the adventure in person:
🎤 This weekend I’ll be speaking in Honobia, Oklahoma— sharing stories, insights, and a taste of the Dark Outdoors spirit live.
🎬 On October 17, I’ll be debuting a new Dark Outdoors documentary in Jefferson, Texas. It’s a project I’m incredibly excited about, and I can’t wait to share it with you first.
Be Part of the Dark Outdoors Community
If you’ve been enjoying Dark Outdoors, now’s the perfect time to make sure you never miss an episode. 🎙️ Subscribe today on your favorite podcast platform — Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows. It’s the easiest way to stay plugged into Dark Outdoors October and every spine-tingling story to come.
👉 To make it even easier, I’ve put everything in one place: my Linktree. One click, and you’ll find all the platforms plus extras in one hub.
A Special Treat: Swamp Devil
Here’s something extra for the true diehards: the first 10 people to email me at chester@chestermoore.com will receive a download link to Swamp Devil — a recently recovered track from my early-2000s band Freak13.
It’s dark, raw, and straight from the swampy depths — a perfect soundtrack for October.
So subscribe, spread the word, and shoot me that email if you want to claim your exclusive piece of music history. Once those 10 slots are gone, they’re gone.
🔥 Creepy campfire stories, outdoor safety tips, strange cinema, live events, and now rare music from my vault — Dark Outdoors October is going to be unforgettable.
What if America’s wilderness hides a predator science won’t acknowledge? In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, author Michael Mayes—known for his work Shadow Cats—joins us to dig into the controversial and chilling reports of black panthers roaming across the U.S.
For decades, eyewitnesses from Texas to the Appalachians have sworn they’ve seen something impossible: massive black panthers prowling the woods, stalking farmlands, and vanishing into the shadows. Yet, mainstream science insists such creatures don’t exist in North America.
In this thought-provoking episode of Dark Outdoors, we sit down with author and researcher Michael Mayes to explore the mystery at the heart of his book Shadow Cats. Together, we examine chilling accounts, folklore, and the deep cultural roots of black panther sightings. Are these elusive predators a product of myth, mass misidentification, or could there be something truly hidden in America’s wild places?
Expect a conversation that pushes beyond campfire tales—diving into history, biology, and the unsettling implications of predators that may walk unseen. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this is one episode that will make you think twice the next time you walk into the woods after dark.
Are they black mountain lions – black cougars?
Are they black jaguars?
Are they jaguarundi?
Are they escaped exotics?
What about the mysterious black longtail?
Take a deep dive on black panthers with us.
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Social media is exploding with wild claims about a supposed “dolphin hunting season” in Florida.
Facebook and Instagram are flooded with viral posts and shocking videos — but what’s real and what’s pure internet fiction? In this video, we cut through the noise and give you the truth.
Forget speculation and fake news — here’s what’s really happening in Florida: Is there actually a dolphin hunting season? What official sources say (and don’t say)
Why social media blew this rumor out of control The facts you need to know about dolphins, conservation, and Florida wildlife laws
⚠️ If you’ve seen the viral clips or trending hashtags, you NEED to watch this breakdown. We’re not chasing theories — we’ve got the facts.
👉 Stick around until the end — because the truth is clearer than the internet wants you to believe.
I’m spending more and more time correcting wildlife news. This is one of the wildest examples of fake outdoors news out there.
Chester Moore
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Manatee mistaken identity A gentle sea cow once took the blame for damage in Texas waters—but mounting evidence suggests the real culprits were juvenile bull sharks stirring up trouble.
The “lassoed” bull shark rumor A newspaper once claimed Texas game wardens “lassoed” a bull shark after it attacked someone. Spoiler: that’s pure myth, and I’ll explain why in the video.
A 40-year-old great white tale Decades ago, whispers spread that a “baby great white” was found in Sabine Lake. We’ll sift through whether that story has any teeth—or if it’s just another fishy rumor.
From jaw-dropping legends to real shark science, this commentary explores the history, the hype, and what’s actually swimming beneath the surface of Texas waterways.
Back when I was in collage, I was running a trotline in a deep hole in the Sabine River. My cousin Frank Moore and I had trotlines about 200 yards apart and had been catching a few blue catfish during the winter in an area where we often caught garfish in summer.
This was in the middle of winter and we were targeting huge blue catfish. In previous days I had several large hooks straightened and had visions of 75-pound blues in my mind.
As I went to check my line, I noticed most it was not parallel to the shore but drifting out across the deep, instead of on the edge. The line had been cut (or so I thought).
Immediately not so kind words flowed through my mouth to whoever cut the line but then as I started to pull it in something happened.
The line moved!
I pulled in a little more and felt great weight at the end of the line and soon realized I had a seven-foot long alligator garfish on my line. In the Moore family, gar trump blue cats any day of the week so I was excited and even more so when I saw the huge gar barely moving.
Gar will often drown on trotlines (seriously) and this one looked a little worse for the wear so I though it would be easy pickings.
I pulled the line up to the beast, hooked my gaff under the only soft spot on an alligator garfish, which is directly below the jaw. I jammed it in there good to make sure it would hold and to see how lively the fish was. It literally did not budge. The fish was alive but did not seem lively.
I then took a deep breath, mustered up all the strength I had since this was a 200-pound class fish and heaved the gar into the boat. That is when the big fish woke up.
It pulled back with full force and all of a sudden I found myself headed down into 30 feet of water with the gar. In an instant I realized one of the other hooks on the trotline had caught in my shoe and I was now attached to 200 pounds of toothy fury.
I had just enough time to take a breath and went under.
All I could focus on was getting back to the surface and toward the light. I am not sure how deep I went but according to my cousin who was just down the shore from me, I did not stay under very long. A 200-pound gar and a 200-pound young man snapped the lead on the line but the hook amazingly remained in my shoe as a reminder I was very near death. Make sure not to run trotlines alone. That was my first mistake.
Also be careful to run the line along the side of your boat and not allow the hooks to fall in the boat. That was where I messed up. Catching fish on trotlines is loads of fun but it can be dangerous. Just make sure your desire to catch fish does not override safety as it did for me in the heat of the moment.
It was my closest call with death in the great outdoors and looking back it is evident God was with me.
Chester Moore
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Think great white sharks don’t swim in the Gulf? Think again. Once considered mythical in Gulf waters, great white sharks are now proven from Florida to Texas—and this groundbreaking new documentary Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of An Icon tells the incredible true story. And you can watch it to get a jump on Shark Week.
🎥 This is the first-ever documentary on great whites in the Gulf, produced and written by me and filmed and edited by Paul Fuzinski—a powerful real-life tale of awe, science, mystery, and a childhood dream realized.
Follow “LeeBeth,” a satellite-tagged apex predator tracked from South Carolina to South Padre Island. Her journey made international headlines—and now it’s igniting a revolution in shark science and marine conservation.
What you’ll see in the film:
Historic sightings off Port Aransas and modern accounts near Galveston and the Chandeleur Islands
Cutting-edge tracking and drone studies
Interviews with top shark scientists like Dr. Greg Skomal and Dr. Megan Winton as well as marine conservationists Pat Murray of CCA and Dr. Guy Harvey
Passion and purpose from journalist Chester Moore, who’s spent 20+ years connecting the clues
Young conservation voices and mentorship programs proving that the future of our oceans starts with inspiration
From Cape Cod to the Gulf, Carcharodon carcharias is reclaiming its place at the top—and we’re here to document its return.
💬 Watch it. Like it. Comment. Share it.Be part of shark conservation history and help us spread awareness of this iconic predator’s Gulf comeback.
👉 See that the Gulf’s true apex predator isn’t the bull shark or the hammerhead. It’s the great white!
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Hey friends – big update from the road! We just found out we’ll be spending time with two new kids TODAY – children who are hurting and in need of hope. We are going to take them up to 11,000 feet to photograph marmots and elk here in the Rockies.
We’re honored to walk into their lives with love, encouragement, and Christ-centered wildlife encounters that speak deeply to their hearts. 🌿🐻
And when we return home, we’ll be welcoming an incredible new family into the Higher Calling community, while also facing annual medical costs for our animal team that brings so much healing to these children.
One of the kids in our program photographing mule deer yesterday.
👉 We’re asking for help raising $800 to cover:
$500 – gifts and a special outing for the kids and the new Colorado family here in the Rockies.
$300 – annual veterinary care for the animals
Every dollar is tax-deductible and goes directly to the mission – no salaries, no fluff. Just real love and real wildlfe.
Costs have risen, and we’ve had to ask more directly – but your generosity keeps making it possible. I don’t ask for help here much on the blog but I straight up need it now.
Thank you!
Here’s a photo of Lisa handing out some of the beautiful gifts donors helped us get for this trip. It’s awesome to see people being surprised at these acts of kindness shared in wild places.
And the Austin Stevens Young Adventurer Award goes to...
Our sweet friend Bellamy Korn is the recipient of our Austin Stevens Young Adventurer Award! This award honors are good friend Austin Stevens, who is one of the greatest wildlife tv hosts of all time.
Bellamy despite having dealt with cancer has made 100 hikes since her diagnosis and she is doing great! Last year, she and her awesome brothers and her sweet mom Sarah Bailey joined us to do photography in Estes Park.
Bellamy is a big inspiration for us and we love her very much.
