Dark Outdoors

Ghost Lights of the Southern Forest: Science Vs. Supernatural

Mysterious lights flicker through the woods of Bragg Road and the Louisiana fields — are they swamp gas, headlights, or something not of this world? The 13 Days of Dark Outdoors begins where science and the supernatural collide.

They’ve appeared for generations — glowing orbs floating above the dirt roads and swamps of East Texas and Louisiana. Some say they’re lanterns carried by the dead. Others swear it’s nothing more than chemistry in the dark: methane gas, refracted headlights, or static electricity.

In this kickoff to 13 Days of Dark Outdoors, we travel from Bragg Road in the Big Thicket to Fields, La. chasing the mysterious “ghost lights” that have haunted both states for decades. Along the way, we talk to locals, dig into folklore, and explore the science that tries to explain the unexplainable.

Is it superstition, optical illusion… or proof that some mysteries still live out there in the dark?

Are Black Panthers Really In America? A Deep Dive On These Mysterious Cats

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.

Hiker Carrying Baby Fights Off Mountain Lion!

A family hike turned into a fight for survival when a father, his wife, their toddler, and infant daughter came face-to-face with a mountain lion. Dark Outdoors dives deep into the wilderness dangers that most people never see coming.

On this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors, we recount the terrifying true story of a family’s dangerous encounter with a mountain lion. What began as an ordinary hike quickly spiraled into a life-or-death struggle when a father, hiking with his wife, three-year-old son, and infant daughter strapped to his chest, came face-to-face with one of nature’s most feared predators.

Listeners will hear how this quiet day on the trail turned into a desperate fight for survival. With his young children and wife at risk, every decision mattered. The father’s quick thinking, protective instincts, and raw courage kept his family alive against all odds.

This episode goes beyond the story itself, exploring the realities of mountain lion behavior, how families can prepare for dangerous wildlife encounters, and what survival experts recommend if you ever come face-to-face with a predator in the wild.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• A firsthand account of a family’s mountain lion encounter on the trail.

• How a father protected his wife, toddler, and infant from a deadly threat.

• Survival insights and safety tips for hikers and families in mountain lion country.

• The hidden dangers of hiking with young children — and how to prepare.

If you’re fascinated by true survival stories, wildlife encounters, and the resilience of the human spirit, this episode will keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Rock Apes -the Cryptid of the Vietnam War with RC Bramhall

Were U.S. soldiers in Vietnam battling only human enemies—or were they also encountering undiscovered apes in the jungle? Author RC Bramhall joins Dark Outdoors to reveal the terrifying legend of the Rock Apes.

Were U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War facing more than just human enemies? Many veterans swore they encountered Bigfoot-like creatures, known as the “Rock Apes,” while fighting in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia. On this episode of Dark Outdoors, RC Bramhall, author of Haunted War Tales, joins Chester Moore to share chilling stories of these bipedal, ape-like beings and the battles that ensued.

Blending military history, cryptid lore, and firsthand soldier accounts, Bramhall explores whether these encounters were stress-induced hallucinations or genuine brushes with an undiscovered primate. If you’re drawn to the eerie crossroads of war stories, wilderness mysteries, and the legend of Bigfoot, this episode is one you can’t miss.

Delta Force Meets the Wild: Surviving with the Sgt. Major Mike Vining & Donna Ikenberry

Join us on Dark Outdoors® for an unforgettable conversation with Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Mike R. Vining—explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) pioneer and Delta Force operative—and his wife, acclaimed wildlife photographer and author Donna Ikenberry. Married atop Mauna Kea in 1999 after Mike’s decorated 30‑year military career (including Vietnam, Eagle Claw, Desert Storm, and more)

Donna has since published over a thousand images, guidebooks, and magazine articles from nearly every continent Donna Ikenberry Photography.

 In this episode we explore:

• Top strategies for staying safe in remote terrains—from avalanche zones to wildlife territory.

• How Donna approaches storytelling through photography in unpredictable environments.

• Lessons Mike has learned from decades of military and outdoor leadership: situational awareness, risk assessment, and self-reliance.

• Tips for adventure couples: teamwork, planning, resilience—and capturing moments worth preserving.

Tune in for a uniquely dynamic pairing: military precision meets nature’s art—illuminated by humor, hard-earned wisdom, and couple‑led courage in the wild.

 

 

The Double Murder At Devil's Den

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors, we investigate the heartbreaking double homicide that has shaken Arkansas and the hiking community nationwide. On July 26, 2025, Clinton and Cristen Brink were brutally murdered while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park—a place known for peace and natural beauty, now marked by violence and fear.

We dive deep into:

• The latest updates from Arkansas State Police and the FBI-led manhunt for a still-unidentified suspect.

• The composite sketch and vehicle description released to the public.

• How the Brinks died protecting their daughters, who miraculously survived the attack.

• The timeline of events, the 6-hour delay in public alerting, and the investigative challenges posed by rural terrain and limited cell service.

• A chilling pattern of trail and park-related murders across North America, from the Appalachian Trail to remote campsites in Oregon and Canada.

• How we can balance our love for the outdoors with realistic safety strategies.

This episode is a powerful reminder that wilderness crimes are not just urban legends—they’re happening now, in places we trust. With true crime insight, emotional storytelling, and expert analysis, we bring you the full scope of this ongoing tragedy and the broader implications for hikers, families, and nature lovers.

The Horse Serial Killers Return

From Texas pastures to Nevada ranches, horses are turning up shot, mutilated, and poisoned—and the killers are still at large. Chester Moore investigates this chilling, underreported crime wave and what it means for ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts.

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors, host Chester Moore uncovers a chilling and ongoing mystery across Texas and beyond: horses being found shot, mutilated, or poisoned in a string of brutal, unexplained attacks.

From Kendall, Waller, Bexar, and Smith Counties in Texas to ranches near Las Vegas, Nevada, horses are being executed in pastures, dumped in brush, or tied up and shot at point-blank range. Authorities have few leads—and the killers remain free.

This episode examines:

• Whether these killings are tied to the illegal horse meat trade, ritualistic activity, or thrill killers

• Exclusive insights from Higher Calling Wildlife’s investigative reports

• Why the pattern may represent one of the most underreported animal cruelty crime waves in the U.S.

If you’re a rancher, horse owner, or outdoor enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into a crime wave spreading fear and silence across rural communities.

The Truth About "Jaws", Its Making, Great White Attacks & Shark Persecution

Jaws terrified moviegoers and changed how we see the ocean—but the fear didn’t end on screen. Chester Moore explores the real shark attacks, behind-the-scenes chaos, and decades of shark persecution sparked by Spielberg’s masterpiece.

Beneath the surface of Hollywood’s most iconic ocean thriller lies a deeper, darker truth. In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors, we journey into the murky waters behind the making of Jaws—a film that forever altered public perception of the sea and its apex predator.

But the terror didn’t stay confined to the screen. We dive into:

• Real-life great white shark attacks that fueled lasting fear

• How Steven Spielberg’s cinematic masterpiece triggered decades of shark persecution, misinformation, and ecological imbalance

• Behind-the-scenes stories of chaos, mechanical monsters, and production nightmares

• The cultural fallout that left both sharks and oceans misunderstood

From blood-soaked beaches to the legacy of misunderstood killers, this is the untold story of fear, fiction, and fallout.

Murder Mountain, The Hound From Hell & Encountering Growers

From Murder Mountain to grow ops, Chester Moore reveals chilling encounters in the wild—traffickers, killers, attack dogs, and survival stories that prove the outdoors can turn deadly without warning.

Encountering an illegal grow or trafficking operation is one of the most dangerous threats in the great outdoors—and in this shocking episode of Dark Outdoors, we share terrifying real-life accounts.

You’ll hear stories of:

• A savage trained killer dog unleashed on a hiker who stumbled onto a grow site

• The infamous “Murder Mountain” and its deadly legacy, made famous by the Netflix series

• A serial killer who turned himself in carrying a human breast in a bag

• A hunter held at gunpoint on a deer lease after crossing the wrong path

• A special defense and safety segment with Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, Florida

These chilling accounts expose the hidden dangers lurking where crime and wilderness collide—and why every outdoor enthusiast should take precautions.

Poacher Poses As Woman To Kill City Deer & A Look At lllegal Wildlife Cloning

Chester Moore unravels a bizarre case that begins with a man posing as a woman to poach deer in a city park—and spirals into a shadowy world of wildlife trafficking, exotic animal cloning, and black-market “Frankensheep.”

In this unusual episode of Dark Outdoors, we uncover one of the strangest wildlife crime stories ever told. It begins with a man posing as a woman to gain illegal access to a city park—and its vulnerable deer population.

But what starts as a bizarre poaching scheme quickly spirals into something far darker:

• A hidden web of wildlife trafficking and exotic animal cloning

• Shocking connections to the black-market trade of Marco Polo sheep

• The creation of “Frankensheep hybrids” for high-stakes deals in the underground animal trade

Join us as we follow the trail from urban deer blinds to the global black market, exposing a story where greed, cloning, and poaching collide in the darkest corners of the outdoors.