Dark Outdoors

The Creepy Shack & The Man With the Paper Sack Mask

In this Dark Outdoors® short, Chester Moore recalls a chilling encounter with a shack in the woods—and a man in overalls wearing a paper sack on his head.

In another Dark Outdoors® Short, creator and host Chester Moore shares his own unnerving story of stumbling across a creepy shack in the woods and seeing a man in overalls with a paper sack covering his head.

Adding to the mystery, we also hear a story from another witness who, as a boy, discovered a similar shack—and came face-to-face with a figure some called a “wild man.”

Don’t miss our weekly Dark Outdoors® Shorts this summer, where we spotlight strange, frightening, and unforgettable outdoor encounters.

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

The Hidden Tsunami Dangers In the Gulf of Mexico

Yes, they’ve happened before—and experts warn they could happen again. In this Dark Outdoors® mini-episode, Chester Moore even uncovers the story of an 800-foot tsunami.

Did you know the Gulf of Mexico has experienced tsunamis? In this Dark Outdoors® Short, host Chester Moore explores surprising history, science, and warnings about these rare but devastating events.

This episode covers:

• Historical records of tsunamis striking the Gulf of Mexico

• Why experts are sounding the alarm about the potential for future events

• The shocking case of an 800-foot tsunami (yes, really)

• Why outdoor adventurers and Gulf Coast residents should be aware of this hidden natural threat

Between our two annual seasons of deep-dive episodes, we’ll be releasing these mini-episodes on a variety of Dark Outdoors® topics, keeping you informed (and sometimes unsettled) about the darker side of nature.

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

The Zodiac Killer, Self Defense & The Dangers of America's Parks & Suburban Forests

Chester Moore revisits the Zodiac’s chilling Lake Berryessa attack, explores outdoor self-defense against predators, and reveals his controversial pick for the killer’s true identity.

In this intense episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore examines one of the Zodiac Killer’s most infamous crimes: the Lake Berryessa attack, where the predator stalked unsuspecting victims in the outdoors.

This episode explores:

• Why we must always be ready to defend our lives in the wilderness

• The case of a woman who used self-defense techniques to nearly stop an infamous killer

• The question of the Zodiac’s true identity—including Chester’s controversial but compelling candidate

• A chilling clip of the Zodiac’s voice shared at the end of the show

This mix of true crime, outdoor survival, and investigative insight makes for one of the most gripping Dark Outdoors® episodes yet.

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game.

Deer Massacres and Dolphin Shootings: America's Teen Poaching Crisis

Chester Moore reveals the shocking results of his nine-year investigation into teens poaching dolphins, eagles, and even endangered Key deer—and what can be done to stop it.

In this special investigative episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore shares the findings of his nine-year investigation into what he has dubbed the “teen poaching crisis.”

This disturbing trend includes:

• Teens who shot dolphins

• A group who kidnapped endangered Key deer

• Young poachers who slaughtered eagles

What is driving these acts of cruelty? What’s the deeper cause—and more importantly, what’s the solution? Chester Moore digs into the cultural, social, and environmental factors behind the crisis, and why it’s an issue that can no longer be ignored.

This episode also features our Missing in the Wild segment, brought to you by B.A.C. Shows. Learn more about their outdoors and RV events at backshows.com.

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game.

Border Dangers: What The Mainstream Media Is Not Telling You

A South Texas deer hunt turns terrifying when a father and son encounter what appears to be an organized crime unit in the brush country. Dark Outdoors® investigates the hidden dangers along America’s borderlands.

Welcome to Dark Outdoors®, where we shine a light on the often-ignored perils of the wilderness. In this episode, Chester Moore explores the increasing encounters with crime, unstable wildlife, and unexpected dangers in the outdoors—especially near America’s borders.

The episode features:

• A firsthand account from a father and son deer hunt gone wrong in South Texas, where they stumbled into what seemed to be an organized crime unit operating in the brush country

• A conversation with Sheriff Ronnie Dodson of Brewster County, detailing the real challenges of enforcing law and order in vast, remote territories

• Alarming trends in property damage, theft, human trafficking, and misuse of drones and advanced optics by criminal groups in border areas

• Practical advice for outdoor enthusiasts on how to handle encounters with illegal migrants, using defensive strategies like bear spray, and the importance of readiness, prayer, and self-defense

We also highlight the poignant case of Teresa Hartley in our Missing in the Wild segment, brought to you by B.A.C. Shows—a reminder of the unsolved cases that still demand awareness and justice.

This episode underscores the hidden dangers of borderland wilderness areas, urging hunters, landowners, fishermen, hikers, and campers to stay vigilant and prepared.

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game.

Unsolved Outdoors Cases With Kylie Low of Dark Downeast

Chester Moore sits down with Kylie Low, host of the chart-topping podcast Dark Downeast, to unravel baffling cases of murder and mayhem in the great outdoors.

On this special edition of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore welcomes Kylie Low, creator and host of the Apple Podcasts true crime chart-topper Dark Downeast.

Together, they explore a series of baffling and chilling cases where crime collides with wilderness—from unexplained murders to strange tales of violence in remote outdoor settings.

This crossover episode highlights how the true crime genre intersects with the hidden perils of the outdoors, offering insights from two storytellers dedicated to uncovering the darker side of human nature and the wild.

If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts and the mysteries lurking just beyond the trail, this episode is a must-listen.

Did A Cougar Kill Christopher Whiteley Or Was It Something Or Someone Else?

When a man was found dead in Hood County, TX, officials first blamed a mountain lion—then changed the cause of death to “undetermined.” Some believe a human predator may be the real culprit.

When Christopher Whiteley was discovered dead in Hood County, Texas, authorities initially claimed a cougar (mountain lion) had attacked him. But after the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the USDA reviewed the case, they dismissed the animal-attack theory and reclassified the cause of death as “undetermined.”

Now, some believe this tragedy may point to something far darker: a human killer.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore speaks with Morgan O’Hanlan of Texas Monthly, who investigated the case in-depth. Together, they explore:

• Why officials first pointed to a mountain lion attack

• The evidence that cast doubt on the animal theory

• The possibility of a human predator being responsible

• The bigger questions this case raises about wildlife, rural safety, and outdoor crime investigations

This unsettling episode asks the chilling question: What really killed Christopher Whiteley?

Surviving A Feral Hog Attack

In this intense episode of Dark Outdoors®, Ricky Morgan recounts being mauled by a massive wild hog—while Chester Moore explores the rising threat of feral hog attacks and how to survive them.

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore welcomes Ricky Morgan, who survived a terrifying encounter with a giant wild boar in the South Texas brush. Ricky’s firsthand account of the attack is both chilling and instructive, underscoring the growing danger of feral hog incidents across the U.S.

This episode covers:

• Ricky’s detailed story of the hog attack and how he managed to survive

• The disturbing upsurge of hog attacks across the South, West, and Northeast

• Defensive strategies, including how something as simple as a walking stick can be a lifesaving tool

• The unsolved disappearance of Thomas Irwin from Mesa Verde National Park in our Missing in the Wild segment

• Additional dangers in the outdoors, from aggressive black bears to human trafficking risks in remote areas

• Practical self-defense tips: how to use your mind as your best weapon, observe threats, and avoid traps when attempting rescues

• Expert advice on recognizing and evading hog-related dangers beyond media hype

This episode shines a spotlight on both wildlife threats and human dangers in the outdoors—arming listeners with knowledge, preparation, and respect for the wilderness.

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game, with the Missing in the Wild segment brought to you by B.A.C. Shows.

Terrifying Screams: What Are Those Sounds Terrifying Hunters, Campers and HIkers?

From bloodcurdling cries to chilling growls, Chester Moore investigates the sounds that haunt hunters and hikers—featuring special guest Ron Morehead, the man who recorded the legendary Sierra Sounds.

Hunters, hikers, and outdoor lovers across the country report hearing terrifying screams, growls, and eerie cries in the wild. In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, hostChester takes a deep dive into these unsettling sounds and what may be behind them.

We explore:

• Known wildlife calls that can sound frightening in the dark woods

• Exotic vocalizations linked to invasive species expanding their range

• The chilling unknown, with insights from Ron Morehead, best known for his groundbreaking Sierra Soun recordings—some of the most famous alleged Bigfoot audio evidence ever captured

Plus, our Missing in the Wild segment is brought to you tB.A.C. Shows.bacshows.com.

Dark Outdoors® is sponsored by Texas Fish & Game.

The Legend of Boggy Creek and Creepy Cryptids

Chester Moore talks with cryptid author Lyle Blackburn about the Fouke Monster—and with Pamula Pierce Barcelou, daughter of Legend of Boggy Creek director Charles Pierce, about the restored 4K release.

In this special Halloween edition of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore celebrates one of the most iconic cryptid legends of all time: the Fouke Monster.

This episode features:

• A conversation with Lyle Blackburn, author of The Beast of Boggy Creek, Momo: The Strange Case of the Missouri Monster, and other cryptid classics, on the Fouke Monster and other alleged aggressive cryptids

• An interview with Pamula Pierce Barcelou, daughter of filmmaker Charles Pierce, who shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the legendary film The Legend of Boggy Creek and details about its newly restored 4K release

This fun and spooky Halloween episode blends cryptozoology, film history, and Southern folklore,

Dark Outdoors® is brought to you by Texas Fish & GameandTexas Frightmare Weekend.