Dark Outdoors

From Trinity Bay to the Big Thicket, Chester Moore uncovers chilling reports of “wild men,” primitive tribes, and mysterious off-grid people living in the shadows of modern Texas.

In this wild and unsettling episode of Dark Outdoors, host Chester Moore digs into a forgotten book that chronicles bizarre encounters with alleged primitive tribes in the Trinity Bay area near Galveston and Houston during the 1960s and 1980s.

The investigation explores:

• A longtime newspaper author’s report of similar activity in the Big Thicket National Preserve

• Tales of a possible “wild man” haunting the Old and Lost River areas near Trinity Bay in recent years

• The question of whether feral humans or off-grid people are living in ancient ways, hidden from society

• Legends and firsthand accounts that blur the line between folklore, cryptid mystery, and real human survival

This strange and mysterious episode raises chilling questions about what (or who) might still be living in the remote corners of Texas wilderness.

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Are the mysterious drownings in Austin the work of the so-called Rainey Street Ripper, a group of predators, or part of the global Smiley Face Killers phenomenon? Dark Outdoors® investigates.

In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors, Chester Moore digs into the growing mystery surrounding deaths on Ladybird Lake in Austin, where some believe a serial killer dubbed the “Rainey Street Ripper” is at work.

We examine:

• The alarming number of young men found dead in Ladybird Lake

• Competing theories—a lone serial killer, a group of predators, or a darkly shared “method of operation” circulating underground

• Disturbing parallels to the Smiley Face Killers phenomenon, a wave of suspicious water-related deaths now seen worldwide

Is Austin facing a local predator, or could this be part of a larger, global pattern of strange water deaths?

 

In this Dark Outdoors® mini-episode, we break down the official reports of a rare multiple-victim shark attack at South Padre Island—and what’s really going on in Gulf waters.

Join Chester Moore for a special mini-episode of Dark Outdoors® as we cover the recent shark attack at South Padre Island, which officials confirm involved multiple victims.

In this urgent episode, we cover:

• What is currently known about the attacks and victims

• Exclusive information on shark activity in the area right now

• Context on other rare multiple-victim shark attacks in Gulf waters in recent years

• A rumor killer addressing speculation about great white shark involvement

This episode delivers both breaking details and historical perspective on one of the most unsettling wildlife incidents to strike the Texas coast in years.

In this Dark Outdoors® short, Chester Moore revisits the chilling reign of serial killer Dean Corll—through the eyes of a young boy who once saw him dumping a body.

On this Dark Outdoors® short episode, host Chester Moore recounts the disturbing story of a young boy who witnessed Dean Corll—the infamous “Candyman” serial killer—dumping a body.

We also share forgotten details of Corll’s reign of terror in Texas, a dark chapter of true crime history that left families devastated and communities haunted.

This brief but chilling episode shines a light on one of the most notorious and overlooked serial killers in American history.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

 

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.

 

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.