Dark Outdoors

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?

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.

 

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

 

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,

 

Chester Moore investigates a surge in feral dog attacks—from a Texas fatality to a Georgia mauling—and speaks with Jerry Mills of Wolf Tejas, who shot his way out of a pack ambush.

In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Mooreinvestigatesrising problem of feral dog attacks across the U.S.—and what it means for anyone who spends time outside.

You’ll hear:

• Jerry Mills (Wolf Tejas) recount how he shot his way out of a pack of feral dogs

• Details from a brutal attack in Georgia and a recent fatality in Texas

• Chester’s own narrow escape from a feral pit bull

• Practical outdoor safety tips for recognizing, avoiding, and surviving feral dog encounters

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but feral dogs can be a nightmare—this episode explains why and how to protect yourself.

But is brought to you by Texas Fish & Game and Texas Frightmare Weekend.

Follow Chester Moore on Instagram @thechestermoore
Email: chester@chestermoore.com

ChesterPark host Delia D’Ambra to discuss the chilling reality of missing people in America’s parks and forests.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore talks with the creator of the acclaimed true-crime podcast Park Preda. Together, they examine the disturbing number of mysterious disappearances in national parks, forests, and other public lands.

They discuss:

• Why so many people vanish without explanation in the outdoors

• The mysterious circumstances behind these cases

• How Park Predators brings overdue attention to tragedies often ignored by mainstream media

Connect with Delia’s investigative work through her podcasts and reporting.

📲 Follow Chester Moore:

• @thechestermoore

• Facebook: Higher Calling Wildlife

• Blog: highercalling.net

From serial killers to covert operatives, this Dark Outdoors® episode exposes the sinister dangers hiding in one of Texas’s most famous forests.

In this chilling episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore probes the dark mysteries of the Sam Houston National Forest.

Highlights include:

• An archival interview with the founder of the Missing TX 40 Project

• Compelling information on a serial killer with ties to the forest, currently serving time after pleading guilty in connection to a woman found murdered in a barrel on his property

• The disturbing fact that his property sits across the street from the forest—and that he began killing and savagely raping women as a teen in the late 1970s

• Additional accounts of dangerous encounters in the Sam Houston woods

• A shocking final story involving covert operatives operating in the forest

This episode sheds light on why the Sam Houston National Forest remains one of the most unsettling and dangerous outdoor locations in Texas.

 

From a bloody, bearded stranger in the woods to an attempted abduction and a brush with Ted Bundy’s dark trail, this Dark Outdoors® episode proves the wilderness can be just as terrifying as the movies.

The cult classic Southern Comfort terrified outdoors lovers when it debuted in 1981—but the real-life stories in this episode of Dark Outdoors® are just as chilling.

Host Chester Moore explores:

• Lou Marullo’s eerie encounter with a bloody, bearded man in the woods at night

• A terrifying breath in the outdoors

• The team’s thoughts on the best non-lethal defense tools for outdoor safety

• A shocking connection to Ted Bundy’s handiwork in the deep woods of Utah

This episode blends true crime, survival insight, and wilderness horror stories that will make you think twice the next time you’re far from help.

In this gripping episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore interviews Dr. Jack Mayer, one of the world’s leading experts on hog behavior and hog attacks. 

Topics include:

• The surprising link between dogs and hog attacks

• A chilling account of a legitimate predatory hog that targeted humans

• Practical strategies on what to do if you’re attacked by a hog

• Insights into hog behavior that explain why these encounters are rising

• And much more from decades of Dr. Mayer’s field research

This is a must-listen for hunters, hikers, and anyone spending time in hog country who needs to understand the real threat posed by feral hogs.

Chester Moore and researcher Jeff Stewart dig into the grisly wave of Texas cattle mutilations making national news—and reveal why the real story may not be what most people think.

In this wild episode of Dark Outdoors®, host Chester Moore teams up with fellow author and researcher Jeff Stewart to explore the disturbing series of cattle mutilations in Texas that have recently captured national headlines.

This episode asks the hard questions:

• What is really behind these grisly livestock deaths?

• Are the usual explanations—UFOs, cults, or predators—just distractions?

• Could there be a different, overlooked cause that makes more sense than the sensational theories?

With their combined experience in field research, wildlife behavior, and investigative reporting, Moore and Stewart take a different spin on the mystery, challenging the popular narratives surrounding these bizarre cases.

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