Higher Calling Wildlife

We need help getting the gifts for our kids wildlife packages for our Yellowstone expedition and time is running ou t.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

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Higher Calling Wildlife

You Can Help Us Help Kids In The Yellowstone Area

July 9, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

We need your help!

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.

Can you help us help these kids? Thank you!

Click here for the Amazon link and order and these will come to u s.

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

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Podcast, Sharks

Shark Attack At South Padre!

July 5, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

On July 4, 2024, several individuals were reportedly injured by a shark off the southern coast of Texas at South Padre Island according to a report from ABC News.

Here’s what we know about this shark attack.

*Four separate incidents involving a single shark were reported according to the ABC report.

*The ABC report said Texas Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy confirmed that the incidents included two bites, a grazing, and an injury while fending off the shark. A press statement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) said details at this time indicate that two people were bitten and two people “encountered” the shark but were not seriously injured. What does an encounter mean? Was it indeed a grazing or a strike from fending off the shark?

You can read the full report at www.gulfgreatwhites.com.

And while you’re at it please subscribe to that blog. It’s where the bulk of my shark content will be placed.

Also, I recorded a special mini-edition of Dark Outdoors the podcast to go deeper. It has some exclusive info and I dig into other rare multi-victim attacks on the Gulf Coast.

Also, we just posted another Dark Outdoors episode about a terrifying encounter in the dunes at High Island, TX.

Click here or on the icon below to listen or subscribe via iHeartradio, Apple Podcats or Spotify.

Chester Moore

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Higher Calling Wildlife, Uncategorized

Moose Mission Kicks Off In Colorado!

July 1, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

Chester Moore

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Higher Calling Wildlife

Conserving Mule Deer: Challenges and Conservation Efforts

June 29, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

Additionally, mule deer face competition for resources from elk and whitetail deer, further impacting their access to food and habitat.

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.

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.

Chester Moore

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Uncategorized

Saving Asia’s Mountain Wildlife In TX

June 18, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

As a heavy rainstorm cleared away from the rocky landscape, the hillsides came to life.

Birds sounded in the distance as a light wind blew through the falling leaves, creating a sense of expectancy that is so familiar and exciting to hunters.

The sounds of hooves pounding rock echoed below me and soon after an Armenian mouflon ewe came running out of a small cluster of trees. Behind her was a massive ram with heart-shaped horns that swept farther back than typical mouflon horns, but looked equally impressive.

The beautiful white saddle patch highlighted a formidable frame on what is one of the world’s smallest wild sheep. However, they lack nothing in the beauty and strength department.

Listen to the two-part series on the full breeding program at the FTW Ranch at the links below on Higher Calling Wildlife the podcast.

Part 1

Part 2

This wasn’t in the Caucasus Mountains of the species’ native Azerbaijan, but at the FTW Ranch located near Barksdale, Texas in the southwestern corner of the Edwards Plateau.

Nestled at an elevation as high as 2,200 feet, this 12,000-acre ranch is stunningly beautiful and is widely known for its SAAM Hunter Training Program.

The FTW was founded in 1996 and according to owner Tim Fallon is dedicated to making hunters better, supporting our nation’s military, and preserving endangered species from around the world.

“Hunters have been at the forefront of conservation efforts all around the world,” Fallon said. “From the comeback of elk, bighorn sheep, and wild turkeys in America to restoring and conserving much of Africa’s great game herds, hunters have been leading the charge.”

So, instead of only offering standard exotic hunts at the FTW Ranch, Fallon said he wanted to “pay it forward.”

“There are species that are no longer huntable in their native lands because they are threatened or hunting is not allowed in those countries for various reasons. We wanted to create viable herds of these animals here in America and allow hunters an opportunity to pursue them, but most importantly make sure these species carry on.”

Chester Moore

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Dark Outdoors

Big Tsunami Danger In the Gulf of Mexico!

June 13, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Did you know the Gulf of Mexico has had tsunamis? Experts are sounding the alarm they could happen again.

We cover this and talk about an 800-foot tsunami (for real) in this mini episode of Dark Outdoors.

Between our two annual seasons of deep-dive episodes we will be releasing these mini episodes on a variety of Dark Outdoors topics.

Dark Outdoors is brought to you by Texas Fish & Game magazine.

Don’t Forget The Zodiac Episode

Dark Outdoors podcast, Chester Moore looks at the Zodiac Killer’s attack at Lake Berryessa and talk about how we should always be ready to defend our lives in the great outdoors.

We also talk about the identity of the Zodiac Killer and who host Chester Moore thinks is the controversial but likely candidate for the real killer.

We even have a clip of his voice at the end of the show.

And yes, its creepy!

Listen to this intense episode and share with others. We believe it is important to raise awareness to crimes happening in the outdoors so people can stay safe and ready.

Listen to this episode here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and IHeartradio.

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Higher Calling Wildlife, Sharks

“Summer of the Shark” Kicks Off!

June 4, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

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 program is generously sponsored by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

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 A tlantic 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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Mysterious Wildlife

So A Guy Said He Saw An 18 Foot Garfish

May 7, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

The mysterious waters of the southern United States have always been a source of fascination and intrigue, especially when it comes to the tales of giant garfish sightings.

These elongated, prehistoric-looking fish have been a part of the region’s folklore for centuries, with old records, alleged sightings, and remarkable captures painting a picture of these freshwater giants.

My Dad had an encounter with a monster he snagged in a gillnet when that was still a legal fishing method in the late 1960s in the Sabine River. He was in a 14-foot aluminum boat and said the gar was 11-12 feet long and had a head nearly as long as his arm.

It finally tore through the net but it lingered in his memories his entire life.

Old Records and Early Accounts

The earliest records of giant garfish in the southern states trace back to the indigenous tribes, who revered these creatures as mystical beings. The Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes in Mississippi and Alabama shared stories of garfish so large they could easily capsize a canoe. In Louisiana, Cajun folklore spoke of garfish that lurked in the murky waters of the bayous, growing to lengths that exceeded the length of a pirogue.

Alleged Giant Gar Sightings

Over the years, there have been numerous alleged sightings of giant garfish that have captivated local communities. In Texas, a fisherman near the Trinity River once claimed to have seen a garfish that was as long as his 18-foot boat. Similarly, in the swamps of Florida, tales emerged of a monstrous gar, dubbed the “Okeechobee Ogre”, which was said to be over 15 feet long.

Record-Breaking Catches

While many of the stories about giant garfish are anecdotal, there have been some remarkable catches that have set records in each state.

Texas: The Lone Star State holds the record for one of the largest alligator gar ever caught. In 1953, a massive gar weighing 302 pounds was reeled in on the Rio Grande. This catch still stands as one of the heaviest verified garfish catches in the United States.
Louisiana: In the bayous of Louisiana, a legendary catch was made in 1991 when a fisherman hauled in a 279-pound alligator gar from the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. This gar measured over 8 feet in length and was considered a behemoth by local standards.
Oklahoma: The waters of Oklahoma’s Lake Texoma were home to a historic catch in 2012. A local angler caught an alligator gar that weighed 254 pounds, setting a state record.
Arkansas: The Arkansas River yielded a record-setting catch in 2004. An alligator gar weighing 240 pounds was caught, astonishing both local fishermen and wildlife officials.
Mississippi: In the deep waters of the Mississippi River, a fisherman caught a 327-pound alligator gar in 1935. This catch is often cited as one of the largest garfish ever caught in North America but like many old records its hard to verify.
Alabama: The Alabama River was the site of a notable catch in 2009, where a fisherman reeled in a 231-pound alligator gar, setting a state record.
Florida: Known for its rich fishing heritage, Florida recorded its largest gar catch in the St. Johns River in 1995, where an angler caught a 209-pound specimen.

Conservation Efforts

As impressive as these catches are, they also highlight the need for conservation efforts to protect these ancient fish. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the ecological role that garfish play in the aquatic ecosystem.

Several states, including Texas have implemented regulations to manage and protect garfish populations, ensuring that these living relics continue to thrive in their native waters.

Hidden Elk Populations

There are hidden elk populations in Texas and I discuss them in the latest episode of Higher Calling Wildlife the podcast. Click here to listen or subscribe to the show on Apple Music, IHeartradio, Spotify etc.

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Great White Sharks

Chester Moore Announces Gulf Great White Sharks Project

April 25, 2024 Chester Moore 1 Comment

Chester Moore, a renowned wildlife journalist and conservationist, has announced the launch of a new blog and website dedicated to great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

The blog, titled “Gulf Great White Sharks,” aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the latest news, reports, and research on great white sharks in the Gulf region.

For over a decade, Chester Moore has been investigating and publishing articles and podcasts on great white sharks in the Gulf. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of organizations like the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) and Ocearch, Moore decided to create the blog after witnessing the movements of a particular great white shark named “LeeBeth”.

Moore remarked, “LeeBeth’s movements, as tracked by the AWSC tag put on her by Capt. Chip Michalove in South Carolina, fascinated me. Seeing her presence near South Padre Island and then a few days later near Sabine Pass on the Texas-Louisiana border was truly remarkable. It highlighted the importance of understanding and conserving great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.”

Moore said the Sabine appearance in particular was interesting.

“A report from a very knowledgeable guide over a decade ago who was fishing 58 miles from the Sabine Jetties is what got me into researching white sharks in the Gulf. Incidentally, “LeeBeth” pinged very close to where he was fishing.”

The Gulf Great White Sharks blog is dedicated to the conservation of great white sharks and other apex predators in the Gulf of Mexico.

Visitors to the website, www.gulfgreatwhites.com, can expect to find a wealth of information on the behavior, ecology, and conservation efforts related to primarily to great whites but it will also deal with other sharks in Gulf waters.

Chester Moore is available for interviews to discuss his new project and the importance of conserving great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

With the launch of this project, Chester Moore aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico and ensuring the continued survival of great white sharks and other apex predators.

For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Chester Moore, please contact Chester Moore at Chester@chestermoore.com or 409-920-2062.

[About Chester Moore]

Chester Moore is an award-winning wildlife journalist and conservationist with a passion for marine life. He is Editor-In-Chief of Texas Fish & Game and founder of Higher Calling Wildlife®. He has dedicated his career to raising awareness about the importance of wildlife and marine conservation.

Through his writing, speaking engagements, and conservation efforts, Moore continues to inspire others to take action to conserve our natural resources.

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