Few wildlife threats are as horrifying—or as potentially devastating—as the New World screwworm.

Today on Dark Outdoors, we're taking a deep dive into a parasite that eats living flesh—and it's no longer a problem confined to the history books. The New World screwworm is in Texas, it is spreading, and wildlife professionals, ranchers, hunters, and animal health experts are sounding the alarm.

Joining me is legendary wildlife biologist Larry Wyzun, known throughout the hunting and conservation world as "Mr. Whitetail." Larry is one of America's most respected deer experts and one of the foremost authorities on whitetail deer biology in the world.

What makes Larry's perspective especially important is that he witnessed the original screwworm crisis firsthand. Early in his career, he saw the devastating effects this flesh-eating parasite had on wildlife and livestock before America achieved one of the greatest animal health victories in history by eradicating it from the United States.

Now, decades later, screwworm has returned as a growing threat. As it spreads, concerns are mounting about the impact on whitetail deer, endangered species, livestock, pets, and rural communities. The consequences could reach far beyond individual animals, affecting wildlife management, conservation efforts, agriculture, and hunting traditions across America.

Many experts view the New World screwworm as the most significant wildlife health threat our nation has faced in the last half-century. Unlike many diseases that weaken animals over time, screwworm larvae consume living tissue, creating horrific wounds that can ultimately lead to death if left untreated.

In this episode, "Mr. Whitetail" Larry Weishuhn, a globally renown wildlife biologist shares firsthand memories from the battle against screwworm decades ago, explains why this parasite is so dangerous, and offers his expert insight into what its spread means for the future of America's wildlife.

This is Dark Outdoors. I'm Chester Moore, and today we're examining what may be the greatest threat to American wildlife in 50 years—the return of the New World screwworm.

Nearly 51 years after Jaws changed movie history and forever altered the way people viewed sharks, Chester Moore sits down with Jeffrey Voorhees, the actor who portrayed Alex Kintner, the young boy whose shocking death scene became one of the most unforgettable moments in cinematic history.

In this special episode of Dark Outdoors®, Jeffrey shares memories from the set of Jaws, discusses the legacy of the film, and reflects on being forever connected to one of the most famous shark attacks ever depicted on screen.

From the iconic yellow raft scene to the cultural impact of Jaws on public perceptions of sharks, this fascinating conversation explores the intersection of film, fear, and the natural world.

How did one movie create a generation afraid to enter the ocean?

What was it like to be at the center of one of the most memorable scenes in movie history?

And how does Jeffrey Voorhees view the legacy of Jaws nearly five decades later?

Join Chester Moore for an exclusive interview with the real Alex Kintner.

Keywords: Jaws, Alex Kintner, Jeffrey Voorhees, shark attack movie, Jaws 50th anniversary, shark conservation, great white sharks, Steven Spielberg, Amity Island, ocean fear, shark movies, Dark Outdoors podcast.

Deep in the California redwoods, beneath a towering owl statue hidden among the trees, robed figures gather around firelight as chants echo through the darkness.

For decades, Bohemian Grove has fueled rumors involving secret ceremonies, elite power, occult symbolism, and hidden rituals far from public view.

But what if scenes like this are not isolated?

In this unsettling episode of Dark Outdoors®, Chester Moore investigates disturbing similarities between the mysterious rituals of Bohemian Grove and terrifying firsthand encounters reported deep in remote wilderness areas.

Witnesses describe hooded figures gathered around fires… strange nighttime ceremonies…and mysterious leaders dressed in red standing at the center while others watch from the darkness.

The episode also explores the ancient symbolism of the owl across cultures, from Mesoamerican beliefs surrounding death and sorcery to the owl’s modern role in secretive ceremonial traditions.

Are these merely recurring symbols rooted in human psychology and ancient mythology?

Or do the stories point toward something darker hidden deep in the outdoors?

From elite gatherings beneath giant owls to terrifying encounters in isolated forests, this episode examines the mystery, fear, and symbolism surrounding one of the strangest recurring images in Dark Outdoors history: the hooded figures in the wilderness.