Dark Outdoors

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, we sit down with legendary African safari guide and wildlife expert Dave Fulson of Safari Classics and Facts Across Africa to explore some of the continent’s most intense and unforgettable snake encounters.

From heart-pounding close calls with the infamous black mamba—Africa’s fastest and most feared venomous snake—to dangerous encounters with well-camouflaged puff adders and other deadly reptiles, Dave shares firsthand stories from decades spent in the African bush.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation filled with adventure, survival, natural history, and respect for the wild places that make Africa unlike anywhere else on Earth.

 

Few wildlife threats are as horrifying—or as potentially devastating—as the New World screwworm.

Today on Dark Outdoors, we're taking a deep dive into a parasite that eats living flesh—and it's no longer a problem confined to the history books. The New World screwworm is in Texas, it is spreading, and wildlife professionals, ranchers, hunters, and animal health experts are sounding the alarm.

Joining me is legendary wildlife biologist Larry Wyzun, known throughout the hunting and conservation world as "Mr. Whitetail." Larry is one of America's most respected deer experts and one of the foremost authorities on whitetail deer biology in the world.

What makes Larry's perspective especially important is that he witnessed the original screwworm crisis firsthand. Early in his career, he saw the devastating effects this flesh-eating parasite had on wildlife and livestock before America achieved one of the greatest animal health victories in history by eradicating it from the United States.

Now, decades later, screwworm has returned as a growing threat. As it spreads, concerns are mounting about the impact on whitetail deer, endangered species, livestock, pets, and rural communities. The consequences could reach far beyond individual animals, affecting wildlife management, conservation efforts, agriculture, and hunting traditions across America.

Many experts view the New World screwworm as the most significant wildlife health threat our nation has faced in the last half-century. Unlike many diseases that weaken animals over time, screwworm larvae consume living tissue, creating horrific wounds that can ultimately lead to death if left untreated.

In this episode, "Mr. Whitetail" Larry Weishuhn, a globally renown wildlife biologist shares firsthand memories from the battle against screwworm decades ago, explains why this parasite is so dangerous, and offers his expert insight into what its spread means for the future of America's wildlife.

This is Dark Outdoors. I'm Chester Moore, and today we're examining what may be the greatest threat to American wildlife in 50 years—the return of the New World screwworm.

Nearly 51 years after Jaws changed movie history and forever altered the way people viewed sharks, Chester Moore sits down with Jeffrey Voorhees, the actor who portrayed Alex Kintner, the young boy whose shocking death scene became one of the most unforgettable moments in cinematic history.

In this special episode of Dark Outdoors®, Jeffrey shares memories from the set of Jaws, discusses the legacy of the film, and reflects on being forever connected to one of the most famous shark attacks ever depicted on screen.

From the iconic yellow raft scene to the cultural impact of Jaws on public perceptions of sharks, this fascinating conversation explores the intersection of film, fear, and the natural world.

How did one movie create a generation afraid to enter the ocean?

What was it like to be at the center of one of the most memorable scenes in movie history?

And how does Jeffrey Voorhees view the legacy of Jaws nearly five decades later?

Join Chester Moore for an exclusive interview with the real Alex Kintner.

Keywords: Jaws, Alex Kintner, Jeffrey Voorhees, shark attack movie, Jaws 50th anniversary, shark conservation, great white sharks, Steven Spielberg, Amity Island, ocean fear, shark movies, Dark Outdoors podcast.

Deep in the California redwoods, beneath a towering owl statue hidden among the trees, robed figures gather around firelight as chants echo through the darkness.

For decades, Bohemian Grove has fueled rumors involving secret ceremonies, elite power, occult symbolism, and hidden rituals far from public view.

But what if scenes like this are not isolated?

In this unsettling episode of Dark Outdoors®, Chester Moore investigates disturbing similarities between the mysterious rituals of Bohemian Grove and terrifying firsthand encounters reported deep in remote wilderness areas.

Witnesses describe hooded figures gathered around fires…
strange nighttime ceremonies…and mysterious leaders dressed in red standing at the center while others watch from the darkness.

The episode also explores the ancient symbolism of the owl across cultures, from Mesoamerican beliefs surrounding death and sorcery to the owl’s modern role in secretive ceremonial traditions.

Are these merely recurring symbols rooted in human psychology and ancient mythology?

Or do the stories point toward something darker hidden deep in the outdoors?

From elite gatherings beneath giant owls to terrifying encounters in isolated forests, this episode examines the mystery, fear, and symbolism surrounding one of the strangest recurring images in Dark Outdoors history: the hooded figures in the wilderness.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, we explore the frightening reality of digital stalking, GPS tracking, location sharing, and how smartphones, apps, social media, and outdoor tech can expose campers, hikers, hunters, and travelers to real-world danger in remote areas.

From trailheads and campsites to isolated backroads and deep forests, modern technology can reveal far more about your location and movements than most people realize. We examine how predators, criminals, stalkers, and opportunists may exploit digital footprints in the outdoors — and how outdoor enthusiasts can better protect themselves.

If you enjoy true crime, wilderness mysteries, survival stories, outdoor safety, and dark explorations of modern threats, this episode of Dark Outdoors is for you.

Topics include:

• GPS tracking dangers
• Digital stalking
• Camping and hiking safety
• Smartphone privacy risks
• Trailhead security
• Outdoor survival awareness
• Wilderness crime prevention
• Remote area safety

Because sometimes the greatest danger in the woods… is already connected to you.

Are jaguars really being secretly released into Texas… or is the internet being flooded with AI-generated wildlife hoaxes?

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, Chester Moore dives deep into the viral rumors, fake predator stories, AI-generated wildlife content, and online fear campaigns spreading across social media. From bogus jaguar release conspiracies in South Texas to fake trail camera images and AI-powered Facebook bot pages, this episode explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping public perception of predators and damaging real wildlife conservation.

Discover how AI-generated misinformation spreads online, why predator fear stories go viral, and how fake wildlife news affects real jaguar conservation efforts in Texas and beyond. Chester breaks down the rise of AI wildlife hoaxes, social media engagement farming, automated bot accounts, and the dangerous consequences of sensationalized predator content.

Topics include:

• Jaguars in Texas
• AI-generated wildlife hoaxes
• Fake predator sightings
• Social media misinformation
• Wildlife conservation
• Texas jaguar history
• AI bot networks
• Viral wildlife conspiracy theories
• Fear-based media
• Dark Outdoors investigations

As AI-generated content becomes harder to distinguish from reality, one question remains: Are people losing their ability to tell the difference between real wildlife and manufactured fear?

#DarkOutdoors #Jaguars #TexasWildlife #AI #WildlifeConservation

Cocaine sharks are real!

In this interview, environmental engineer and science communicator Dr. Tracy Fanara explains what scientists are actually discovering about sharks, pharmaceuticals in the ocean, and how chemical exposure could be affecting marine life.

From trace contaminants in coastal waters to broader questions about water quality, we explore how human activity is changing ocean ecosystems—and what that could mean for sharks, fish, and other wildlife.

How do substances like pharmaceuticals—and even drugs—end up in the ocean? What impact can they have on marine animals? And are these changes something new, or something we’re only just beginning to detect?

This conversation goes beyond the viral idea of “cocaine sharks” to look at the real science behind pollution, behavior, and the future of ocean life.

Deep in the dark waters of Texas, stories still surface about giant garfish lurking beneath the current. Recently, a viral social media graphic exploded online claiming a massive 12-foot alligator gar made an unbelievable journey up the Trinity River — igniting debate, fear, and fascination across the internet.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, I dig into the real story behind the viral image and track down answers directly from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

To verify the claims, I contacted TPWD’s media branch personally. According to TPWD media representative Kirk McDonnell, the department consulted Inland Fisheries biologists about the photo and the incredible claims attached to it. What they revealed may surprise you.

But this episode goes far beyond internet rumors.

I also share a firsthand account of a terrifying gar encounter that nearly turned deadly. What started as a normal outing became one of the most intense and unsettling wildlife encounters I’ve ever experienced and it was my fault.

But it did involve a big gar!

Are giant gar legends exaggerated folklore… or is there something bigger moving through Texas waters than most people realize?

Watch now as we separate fact from fiction, investigate the viral “12-foot garfish” claim, and dive into one of the strangest encounters ever featured on Dark Outdoors.

#DarkOutdoors #AlligatorGar #TexasMysteries #RiverMonsters #Cryptid #Fishing #Wildlife #OutdoorStories #Texas #Garfish #MonsterFish

In light of the growing public interest surrounding UFO disclosure, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), and recent government revelations involving military encounters and unexplained objects, Dark Outdoors® is releasing a special exclusive mini-episode featuring a never-before-heard eyewitness interview from far offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

In this brief but chilling conversation, an offshore fisherman recounts a stunning nighttime encounter that took place more than 100 miles off the Texas coast. Alone in deep Gulf waters under dark skies, the witness describes unexplained lights and strange aerial activity unlike anything he had ever seen at sea.

As congressional hearings, military footage, and declassified reports continue to fuel worldwide discussion about UAPs and unexplained phenomena, this exclusive testimony offers a rare firsthand account from one of the most isolated environments imaginable — far offshore in the Gulf at night.

This Dark Outdoors® Exclusive explores the intersection of mystery, eyewitness testimony, offshore life, and the unknown, bringing listeners a real-world account tied to one of the most talked-about subjects in modern history.

#UFO #UAP #UFODisclosure #TexasCoast #GulfOfMexico #OffshoreFishing #DarkOutdoors #UFOFilesUnsealed #AlienEncounter #EyewitnessTestimony #GovernmentDisclosure #UnexplainedMysteries #ParanormalPodcast #UFOInvestigation #MysteryPodcast

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, I look into reports of sea snakes—like highly venomous banded sea kraits—being spotted in the Gulf, far outside their natural range.

After going through the available records and research, one thing is clear: there are no verified reports of true sea snakes in the Gulf of Mexico.

But sightings still happen.

This episode focuses on the research I’ve done into those claims, why they keep coming up, and what might actually be behind them.