It was an honor to recently join Will Crebs on the Under Pressure OutdoorsPodcast to talk about Dark Outdoors® and some of the strange and sometimes dangerous things I’ve investigated over the years.
Will asked a lot of great questions, and I really enjoyed the conversation. It’s always fun to connect with someone who genuinely loves the outdoors and is interested in exploring stories that go beyond the typical hunting and fishing discussion.
One of the things I appreciate about Will’s show is his approach to interviewing people.
“We talk about pretty much anything and everything related to hunting and the outdoors. We have everybody on from regular guys with some great stories to some of the biggest names in the industry, and we try to keep the conversations laid-back and genuine,” Crebs said.
“The idea is that you can listen, learn a thing or two, maybe get a different perspective on something, and have a few laughs along the way,” he said.
That’s exactly the kind of conversation I enjoy.
With Dark Outdoors, my goal has always been to tell stories that are compelling, sometimes unsettling and hopefully make people think a little differently about what can happen in the woods and on the water.
I appreciate Will having me on and giving me the opportunity to share some of that work with his audience.
Be sure to check out Under Pressure Outdoors on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Will is doing some great things, and I think many Dark Outdoors listeners will enjoy his show.
Halloween is going to be extra special this year as Dark Outdoors® reaches a major milestone: 100 episodes!
To celebrate, I’m launching Dark Outdoors Week, featuring six consecutive days of mysteries, strange encounters, horror movie connections and real-life investigations, beginning Monday, October 26, and concluding on Halloween, October 31.
This special week brings together many of the subjects that have made Dark Outdoors such an exciting journey, from creepy childhood experiences and mysterious figures to real predators and the true stories behind some of horror’s most memorable movies.
Here’s the Dark Outdoors Week lineup:
Monday, October 26 — Blood Road: The Grim Reaper and the Road That Bled. I revisit a mysterious Southeast Texas road and the eerie stories that surrounded it when I was growing up, including my own experiences connected to this unsettling location.
Tuesday, October 27 — When the Real Pamela Voorhees Called Me. I share the remarkable story of my friendship with Friday the 13th actress Betsy Palmer, including the first time she called me while I was walking through the woods beside a lake. We’ll also explore real-life summer camp horrors and the legends associated with them.
Wednesday, October 28 — Real-Life Wolfen: Are Wolves Living Just Beyond the City Lights? Inspired by one of my favorite horror movies, 1981’s Wolfen, I investigate real wolves living near cities, the wolves of Chernobyl and the mysterious ghost wolves of Galveston Island.
Thursday, October 29 — The Werewolf Ritual That Terrified Me as a Kid. When I was in elementary school, I discovered an old book containing a disturbing account of a supposed werewolf ritual. What I read frightened me and left a lasting impression. In this episode, I revisit that childhood experience, investigate the folklore surrounding werewolves and explain why I believe people should be cautious about dabbling in occult practices.
Friday, October 30 — The Hooded Ones: New Accounts and Strange Origins. New firsthand accounts of mysterious hooded figures lead us into an investigation of strange encounters and their possible historical origins.
Saturday, October 31 — Episode 100: The Real Jason: The Phantom Killer’s Legacy. On Halloween, we investigate the terrifying 1946 Texarkana Phantom Killer murders and their connection to The Town That Dreaded Sundown. It’s a fitting subject for our landmark 100th episode.
Daily Giveaways During Dark Outdoors Week!
And there’s more!
I’ll be doing giveaways every day during Dark Outdoors Week on the Chester Moore – Higher Calling Wildlife Facebook page!
Be sure to follow the page and check in daily for opportunities to win prizes as we celebrate this special milestone.
Reaching 100 episodes means a great deal to me. Dark Outdoors has allowed me to investigate fascinating mysteries, share extraordinary experiences and explore the sometimes frightening side of the natural world.
I appreciate everyone who has listened, shared episodes, submitted stories and supported the show along the way.
You can find Dark Outdoors® on all major platforms where you listen to podcasts.
Join me October 26–31 for six days of mystery and real-life horror as we count down to Episode 100 on Halloween!
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
Halloween is almost here, and I wanted to share something special with my Dark Outdoors subscribers!
My new book, I Was an ’80s Horror Kid, is a fun, personal journey back to the days of monster movies, Halloween masks, creepy music and growing up in the 1980s.
Through Halloween, you can get a personally signed copy of the book PLUS a FREE signed copy of my new Freak13® CD,No Longer Living Dead, for just $20, INCLUDING SHIPPING!
Just include your shipping address with your payment or send it to me privately at chester@chestermoore.com.
We’re also counting down to the 100th episode of Dark Outdoors on Halloween! Thank you for being part of this journey and supporting the show. I truly appreciate it!
God bless!
Chester Moore Dark Outdoors®
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
Lyle Blackburn has spent years investigating monsters.
From legendary cryptids and strange creature reports to the dark imagery surrounding his band Ghoultown, Blackburn has built a career exploring the territory where folklore, fear and the unexplained collide.
Now he’s taking on a different kind of monster — one that actually exists.
Blackburn is the latest guest to join Sharks Aren’t So Scary a special public-service campaign from the Gulf Great White Shark Society that brings together horror culture, unusual personalities and shark conservation.
For Dark Outdoors, the connection couldn’t be much better.
When Real Animals Become Monsters
One of the things we regularly explore on Dark Outdoors is the difference between the genuine dangers found in nature and the stories people build around them. Sharks might be one of the greatest examples.
A great white shark is an enormous predatory animal equipped with an incredible sensory system, speed and a mouth full of serrated teeth. There is no reason to pretend an animal like that can’t be dangerous.
But that’s very different from the nearly supernatural monster popular culture has created.
Sharks don’t stalk specific people. They don’t hold grudges. They aren’t plotting their next attack underneath somebody’s fishing boat. Those ideas belong in the same realm as the creature features, horror movies and campfire stories we love discussing.
The real shark is far more interesting.
Enter Lyle Blackburn
That’s what makes Blackburn such a great addition to the campaign.
As an author and cryptid researcher, he has investigated some of America’s most enduring creature legends, including the Fouke Monster and Lizard Man. He’s also the founder and frontman of Ghoultown, whose horror-infused music fits comfortably into the darker world Blackburn has explored throughout his career.
Having someone who spends so much time investigating alleged monsters talk about an animal that has been turned into one by popular culture is a fun twist.
And Blackburn isn’t the first person from the horror world to join the campaign.
Brinke Stevens, Count Drahoon and Sharks
Sharks Aren’t So Scary has already brought some interesting personalities into the Gulf Great White Shark Society’s conservation work.
Horror icon Brinke Stevens, one of the recognizable scream queens to emerge from the 1980s horror scene, participated in the campaign. Long before her career in acting, modeling, writing and directing, Stevens studied marine biology, giving her involvement an interesting connection to the animals themselves.
Horror host Count Drahoon also joined the fun, bringing some old-school creature-feature energy to the project. We even turned him loose on some of the worst shark movies ever made, which is exactly the kind of assignment a horror host deserves.
Now we can add a cryptid researcher and horror musician to the list.
Instead of running away from the horror imagery surrounding sharks, we’re having some fun with it.
We can love Jaws. We can laugh at absurd killer-shark movies. We can enjoy monsters, cryptids, Halloween and everything that comes with horror culture while recognizing that real sharks aren’t movie villains.
That distinction matters.
Dark Outdoors has always operated in similar territory. There are legitimate dangers in wild places. There are also mysteries, legends and stories that become larger with every retelling. Sometimes figuring out which is which is the most fascinating part of the investigation.
Great white sharks don’t need Hollywood’s help to be intimidating.
And they certainly don’t need it to be fascinating.
Watch for more from Lyle Blackburn and the Sharks Aren’t So Scary campaign as we move toward Halloween.
Because the outdoors has a dark side but sometimes we’ve made it darker than it really is.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
Growing up in the 1980s was an incredible time to be a horror fan.
From classic monster movies and late-night horror television to scary movie magazines, Halloween masks, creepy music and trips to the local video store, horror was everywhere. And I loved it!
My new book, I Was an ’80s Horror Kid, takes readers back to those days through my personal experiences growing up fascinated with monsters, movies and all things spooky.
And now, through Halloween, I’m offering a special deal that brings together two important parts of my creative life: horror storytelling and monster metal.
For just $20, including shipping, you’ll receive a personally signed copy of my new book PLUS a FREE signed copy of the new Freak13® EP,No Longer Living Dead, on CD!
The book is a journey through the horror culture of the 1980s, filled with memories, strange encounters, childhood adventures and stories about how my fascination with monsters eventually helped inspire my music with Freak13.
But there was another side to growing up a horror kid in those days.
The Satanic Panic was sweeping America, and being fascinated with horror sometimes brought unexpected consequences. I share what it was like to experience that atmosphere firsthand, survive some difficult situations and eventually find my own path to faith.
At its heart, this is a book about growing up, discovering who you are and remembering a time when horror was something you found on VHS tapes, magazine racks and late-night television.
FREE Bonus: Freak13 — No Longer Living Dead
As an added Halloween bonus, every book ordered during this promotion comes with a free copy of the new Freak13 EP, No Longer Living Dead, on CD.
Freak13 is my Texas monster metal band, and this new release brings some of our classic material back to life in a different way.
The EP features four Freak13 classics performed unplugged, plus one brand-new studio track.
Track Listing:
New Orleans (Unplugged)
Swamp Devil (Unplugged)
They Don’t See It (Unplugged)
Jackal’s Daughter – Crystal Lake (Unplugged Medley)
No Longer Living Dead (Brand-New Studio Track)
The unplugged recordings offer a different take on songs from the Freak13 catalog, while the title track marks the band’s return with new studio material.
Halloween Special — Only $20 Shipped!
From now through October 31, you can get both the book and CD for one special price.
Your Halloween package includes:
A personally signed copy of I Was an ’80s Horror Kid
A FREE signed No Longer Living Dead Freak13 EP on CD
Shipping included in the $20 price
Please note: This is a preorder offer. Books are expected to arrive by October 25, with orders expected to begin shipping shortly afterward.
Whether you grew up loving horror in the 1980s, enjoy the strange stories featured on Dark Outdoors or appreciate some good old-fashioned monster metal, this is a fun way to celebrate Halloween.
A snake breeder walked into my office carrying a kingsnake.
Before he left, he told me a story I haven’t forgotten.
He noticed a photograph of a banded sea krait hanging on my wall. These are highly venomous marine snakes from the Indo-Pacific, far removed from the waters off Texas.
He looked at the photograph and told me he had seen one.
According to his account, he had kayaked offshore near High Island, Texas, to fish around a rig. There, swimming in Gulf waters, he encountered what he believed was a banded sea krait. He described the animal as four to five feet long, distinctly banded and possessing something particularly important—a paddle-like tail.
It would have been easy to write the encounter off as mistaken identity. Except his description immediately reminded me of another strange report.
Two anglers I know had been fishing around the 18-Mile Light on Sabine Bank when they saw a long snake swimming at the surface. They described it as bluish-white and black-striped, approximately five feet long.
And they described a paddle-like tail.
Now I had separate encounters from the same general region of the Gulf involving people familiar with snakes and describing remarkably similar animals.
That was enough to make me start digging.
Since then, reports of strange snake-like animals have come to me from other parts of the Gulf Coast, including Alabama and Florida. Some may ultimately have very ordinary explanations. Eels and other elongated marine fishes can look remarkably snake-like, and native snakes can certainly enter coastal waters.
But what about the reports that aren’t so easily explained?
And if a highly venomous marine snake from another part of the world somehow reached the Gulf, is there a mechanism that could get it here?
That question took my investigation into international shipping, ballast water and the long history of animals being transported far outside their natural ranges.
My new video, “Venomous Sea Snakes in the Gulf? Investigating the Reports,” examines the eyewitness accounts and the possibilities behind them.
To be clear, this is not evidence that sea snakes are established in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s an investigation of reports involving animals that witnesses believed were something that shouldn’t be there.
And this investigation isn’t over.
There are additional reports and possible explanations I intend to examine in future installments.
Because sometimes the most interesting outdoor mysteries aren’t about proving something extraordinary.
They’re about figuring out what somebody actually saw.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore on the following social media platforms
When a shark attack occuted in the clear waters of the Caribbean, chaos erupted on the beach. Most people stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Registered nurse Chris Carroll made a decision few people ever would—he swam straight toward the victim, knowing the shark could still be nearby.
That incredible act of courage was the focus of Part 1 of this special Dark Outdoors interview. In Part 2: The Aftermath, Chris sits down with Chester Moore to reflect on what happened after the rescue attempt and how those unforgettable moments changed his life forever.
This isn’t another sensationalized shark attack story. It’s a powerful conversation about courage, compassion, faith, and the choices that define us when we’re faced with extraordinary circumstances.
Chris shares the emotional toll of the experience, what he learned about shark attacks from witnessing one firsthand, and why he believes ordinary people are capable of extraordinary acts when they choose to put someone else’s life ahead of their own.
If you’ve ever wondered what drives someone to run—or swim—toward danger instead of away from it, this is an episode you won’t soon forget.
If this episode sparked your interest in sharks and the reality behind these incredible apex predators, now is a great time to pick up my new book:
Gulf Great White Sharks: Unveiling the Mystery of Apex Predators in the Forgotten Sea
For decades, many people believed great white sharks were little more than occasional visitors to the Gulf of Mexico. The evidence tells a very different story.
Drawing on years of research, interviews with leading shark scientists, historical accounts, and modern tracking data, this is the first book ever written entirely about great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. It explores their history, the latest discoveries about their movements, fascinating encounters with fishermen and divers, and why these magnificent predators are reclaiming their place in Gulf waters.
Whether you’re a lifelong shark enthusiast, an angler, a conservationist, or simply fascinated by wildlife mysteries, this book offers an evidence-based look at one of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals.
For a limited time during Shark Week you’ll receive:
Please include your mailing address in the notes and don’t forget to sign up to join the Gulf Great White Shark Society. It’s free and this offer is for members-only.
Thank you for supporting Dark Outdoors and the Gulf Great White Shark Society. Every podcast listen, book purchase, and shared story helps us reach more people with evidence-based information about sharks, wildlife, conservation, and the incredible stories that unfold where people and the outdoors intersect.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore on the following social media platforms
A woman is screaming in the water. People on shore don’t know what to do. Then one man makes a decision few ever would—he swims toward the danger.
In this gripping first installment of a two-part Dark Outdoors interview, Chester Moore talks with registered nurse Chris Carroll, who found himself in the middle of a fatal tiger shark attack while vacationing in the Caribbean. What began as a relaxing day at the beach became a life-and-death emergency that tested his training, his instincts, and his courage.
Chris shares, in remarkable detail, the moment he realized he wasn’t responding to a drowning victim—but to someone who had just been attacked by a large shark. He recounts the terrifying swim, the rescue attempt, and the split-second decisions that unfolded in the water.
This is not a sensationalized shark attack story. It’s an honest conversation about courage, fear, and what drives someone to risk their own life to help another person.
In Part 1 you’ll hear:
Chris Carroll’s firsthand account of the attack and rescue attempt.
The moment he realized a shark was involved.
What was going through his mind as he swam toward the victim.
How his experience as a nurse prepared him for an unimaginable situation.
The lessons he learned from one of the most intense moments of his life.
If you’ve ever wondered how an ordinary person responds when confronted with extraordinary danger, this is an interview you won’t forget.
And if you’re a shark fan don’t forget to check out our episode of the Megalodon.
Listen to The Megalodon Mystery
Ready to investigate one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries? Listen to The Megalodon Mystery on your favorite podcast platform:
BEAUMONT, Texas — The Dark Outdoors® Podcast earned First Place for Overall Podcast Excellence at the 35th Annual Press Club of Southeast Texas Excellence in Media Awards. Dark Outdoors also earned First Place honors for Best Blog and Best Video Storytelling, demonstrating the success of the brand across podcasting, digital media, and documentary storytelling.
The awards were part of a larger showing in which creator and host Chester Moore earned eight First-Place awards overall while competing against mainstream television, radio, print, and digital media organizations from across Southeast Texas.
Chester Moore and his wife Lisa at the 2026 Press Club awards.
The award marks the third consecutive year Dark Outdoors has received top honors for podcasting excellence, underscoring the program’s impact and growing audience.
Earlier this year, the Dark Outdoors Podcast also earned Best Podcast honors from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association, giving the program major recognition from both mainstream media and outdoor media organizations.
Dark Outdoors explores the intersection of true crime, unsolved mysteries, and human-wildlife conflict through compelling storytelling rooted in the outdoors.
“Winning for Overall Podcast Excellence is especially meaningful because it recognizes the entire program,” Moore said.
“It is an honor to be recognized among such a talented group of hardworking journalists and media professionals. The Excellence in Media Awards showcase some of the best work being done in our region, and I am grateful to be included among those recognized.”
The Dark Outdoors Podcast features stories ranging from unsolved mysteries and true crime cases to remarkable wildlife encounters and conflicts between humans and animals. Through interviews, investigations, and narrative storytelling, the program examines stories where the outdoors and real-life events intersect.
Dark Outdoors also earned First Place for Best Video Storytelling for Wild Men in Search of Lost Trout and Feral Humanity, a documentary project created by Moore in partnership with author and investigator Lyle Blackburn and videographer/editor Paul Fuzinski.
The documentary exemplifies Dark Outdoors’ commitment to investigating unusual and compelling stories connected to the outdoors.
In addition to the podcast and documentary honors, the Dark Outdoors blog captured First Place in the Best Blog category. The blog honor further demonstrates the strength of the brand as a destination for original storytelling and investigative reporting.
“People are fascinated by mysteries,” Moore said.
“When those mysteries intersect with the outdoors and real-life events, they create stories that stay with you. Dark Outdoors was created to explore those stories and share them with audiences in a meaningful way.”
The awards highlight the growing reach and impact of the brand as a distinctive voice in podcasting, documentary filmmaking, and digital media.
For media inquiries, interviews, or speaking engagements:
In the new episode of Dark Outdoors®, we explore the frightening reality of digital stalkers, 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.
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.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore on the following social media platforms
