Higher Calling Wildlife

If you would like to contribute to Higher Calling Wildlife’s next expedition in the Smoky Mountains you can donate here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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The White Buffalo, Hope And The Higher Calling Wildlife Yellowstone Expedition

July 25, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

The Higher Calling Wildlife® “Hope Is Alive Expedition” kicked off this week in the breathtaking Yellowstone region.

This initiative, led by founder Chester Moore, seeks to uplift children facing extraordinary challenges such as critical illnesses, the loss of parents or siblings, and marginalization. These young participants will be mentored in wildlife conservation and how to use photography as a means of making people aware of wildlife and their habitat.

A symbol of this mission’s spirit is the expedition’s official logo, a white bison. This emblem was inspired by the recent birth of a rare white bison in Yellowstone, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the extraordinary possibilities that nature offers.

An early Higher Calling Wildlife expedition led to kids finding this white bison in Texas. (Photo by Chester Moore)

Moore expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with the National Bighorn Sheep Center.

Moore received the National Bighorn Sheep Center in Dubois, WY “Bighorn Educator of the Year Award” in 2024. Now, the Center is helping connect kids to Higher Calling Wildlife’s outreach.

“Their support has been instrumental in helping us reach out to these incredible kids in the region. The Center’s dedication to wildlife conservation aligns perfectly with our mission, and together, we’re making a difference in these children’s lives.”

Aptitude Outdoors is on hand to document this transformative journey, aiming to create an inspiring documentary. This film will highlight the expedition and encourage children to engage in wildlife photography, a powerful tool for raising awareness about conservation.

Reflecting on his own childhood, Moore shared, “Growing up, I devoured magazines like Sports Afield, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life. I dreamed of traveling west to see bighorn sheep, bison, bears, and to fish the pristine trout streams. Now, not only do I get to live that dream, but I also get to share it with kids who need hope the most. Empowering them to experience the beauty of wildlife and nature is truly a dream come true.”

The “Hope Is Alive Expedition” aims to install a sense of hope and possibility in every child they work with, proving that, like the white bison, remarkable and unexpected things can happen.

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You can read that article here where I also delve into the history of elk in Texas which is deep and complex. Despite what some say, elk are a native species.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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My Texas Elk Investigation Expands

July 16, 2024 Chester Moore Leave a comment

A few months ago I posted a blog about elk populations expanding in Texas due to high fence population escapes.

I just confirmed an was elk killed in East Texas in May and also of another shot last hunting season.

I am going to do a mini-documentary on Texas elk populations and I need your help.

I need video, photos and accounts of elk in Texas. It can be recently or in the past.

A free-ranging elk in Kendall County, TX. (Photo Courtesy Connie Powell)

There are four key areas I am looking for. They are as follows:

* East Texas: There is a small but seemingly growing population of elk in an isolated pocket of East Texas.

*Hill Country: There are elk in several areas of the Hill Country that seem to be increasing including around Rocksprings and in Kendall County.

*Trans Pecos: This is where our native herd still exists yet due to elk not being considered a game animal and there are no official surveys.

*Panhandle: I am hearing of elk roaming several areas in the Panhandle region.

You can reach me via chester@chestermoore.com with photos, videos and links to any content I might be missing out there.

The documentary will be released Oct. 3 (my birthday) and will open many people’s eyes to a truly unique wildlife story in Texas.

Gulf Great White Sharks!

Make sure and go over to our sister blog Gulf Great White Sharks at www.gulfgreatwhites.com and subscribe for lots of unique shark content.

Email me you subscribed and get one of these sweet decals.

Chester Moore

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

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.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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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Click here on the icon below to listen or download and subscribe (that helps me a lot) on iHeartradio, Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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

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

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

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

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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

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

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

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.

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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