Higher Calling Wildlife

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

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Lamar Valley: The Greatest Wildlife Watching Destination in the Lower 48?

July 14, 2026 Chester Moore 2 Comments

I’ve spent a lot of time pursuing wildlife stories across North America.

From alligators in Louisiana swamps to desert bighorn sheep in the Southwest, from the marshes of the Texas coast to the high country of the Rocky Mountains, I’ve been blessed to witness some incredible things. I’ve spent years researching and documenting great white sharks, including encounters along the Pacific Coast and off Cape Cod. I’ve photographed wildlife in places ranging from remote mountain ranges to coastal ecosystems and have dedicated much of my life to telling the stories of wild animals and the people who care about them.

But if someone asked me where I’ve had the highest concentration of memorable wildlife encounters in the Lower 48, my answer would come without hesitation.

This bison almost trampled me while I was focused on something moving in the distance in the Lamar Valley.

Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

Known by many as the “Serengeti of North America,” Lamar Valley is located in Yellowstone’s northeast corner and follows the Lamar River through a vast landscape of grasslands, sagebrush flats, river bottoms, and mountain slopes. What makes it unique isn’t just the wildlife—it’s the scale.

Most people hear the word “valley” and imagine a relatively small area. Lamar Valley is anything but small. The broader Lamar wildlife corridor stretches roughly 29 miles from the Tower area toward Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance. The valley itself forms one of the largest open wildlife-viewing landscapes in Yellowstone, creating opportunities to observe wildlife behavior on a scale rarely found anywhere else in the continental United States.

Nothing cuter than a “red dog” or baby bison.

Unlike many wildlife destinations where animals disappear into dense forests, Lamar’s open terrain allows visitors to watch wildlife across tremendous distances. It is one of the few places left in America where you can sit in one location and potentially observe multiple iconic wildlife species during a single morning.

The valley’s history is deeply connected to Yellowstone itself. Long before the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, Native American tribes traveled through and hunted the region. Later came mountain men, trappers, explorers, and early tourists. As wildlife populations declined across much of the West, Yellowstone became one of the last great refuges for many species.

Look close and you will see this badger that keep ducking in and out of cover near us in the Lamar Valley a few years ago.

Today, Lamar Valley remains one of the most important wildlife strongholds in North America.

I’ve seen that firsthand.

One of the most incredible wildlife behaviors I’ve ever witnessed happened there and involved an animal many Yellowstone visitors overlook.

Pronghorns.

I once watched two bucks engaged in a fierce rutting battle. Their horns clashed repeatedly as they pushed, twisted, and maneuvered against one another for dominance. I watched them for more than an hour before finally leaving.

Later, I returned.

They were still fighting.

A few hours after that, I came back again.

They were still at it.

More than three hours after I first saw them, those two animals were still locked in one of the most intense wildlife contests I’ve ever witnessed. It remains one of the most impressive displays of endurance and determination I have ever seen in the wild.

Lamar Valley is also famous for wolves.

The controversial reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone in 1995 remains a topic of debate among wildlife managers, ranchers, hunters, and conservationists. Regardless of where someone stands on the issue, wolves have become one of the valley’s signature species.

During one of my visits, I was fortunate enough to photograph wolves in Lamar Valley. Seeing a wild wolf moving through that landscape is certainly an unforgettable experience.

I’ve also seen grizzly bears there, another species that immediately commands attention whenever it appears. Watching a grizzly move through the valley reminds you quickly that Yellowstone remains one of the last truly wild places in America.

Then there are the bison.

Every visit seems to include unforgettable encounters with these iconic animals. One of my favorite sights is seeing the young calves that appear each spring. Their reddish coloration has earned them the nickname “red dogs,” and watching them run, play, and interact with the herd against the backdrop of Lamar Valley is one of Yellowstone’s classic wildlife experiences.

I’ve also seen bighorn sheep in the area, another species that never fails to impress. Their presence only adds to the remarkable diversity of wildlife found within the valley and surrounding mountains.

Lamar Valley has also become an important part of the outreach work we do through Higher Calling Wildlife.

Over the years, we’ve brought young people from our programs into Yellowstone and introduced them to wildlife on a scale many never imagined possible. Watching a child see wild bison, bighorn sheep, or other iconic animals for the first time is every bit as rewarding as the wildlife encounters themselves.

Lamar Valley has also been the setting for some memorable conservation media projects. During one visit, I had the opportunity to film there with my friend Paul Fiesinski of Aptitude Outdoors. Paul does outstanding work highlighting wildlife, conservation, and outdoor adventure, and Lamar Valley provided the perfect backdrop for capturing the kind of authentic wildlife experiences that make Yellowstone so special.

Whether photographing wildlife, filming conservation stories, or mentoring young people through Higher Calling Wildlife, Lamar Valley has repeatedly proven itself to be one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever visited.

Those experiences are a major reason the valley means so much to me.

Wildlife can change lives.

I’ve watched young people develop a passion for conservation after seeing Yellowstone wildlife. I’ve seen photography inspire confidence and purpose. I’ve watched kids who had rarely ventured beyond their hometown suddenly realize there is a much bigger world waiting to be explored.

Lamar Valley has played a role in many of those moments.

But as incredible as wolves, grizzlies, bison, and bighorn sheep are, my favorite Lamar Valley wildlife encounter involved a much smaller animal.

A badger.

For many wildlife enthusiasts, spotting a badger is actually harder than seeing a wolf or a bear. They are secretive, often active during low-light periods, and surprisingly easy to miss.

One day in Lamar Valley, I was fortunate enough to watch one.

There was no crowd gathered around it. No roadside traffic jam. No line of photographers stretching down the highway.

Just a badger going about its business.

To this day, it remains one of my favorite Yellowstone wildlife memories.

Which brings me back to the question: Is there anywhere else in the Lower 48 quite like Lamar Valley?

There are certainly great wildlife destinations. Hayden Valley elsewhere in Yellowstone is outstanding. Grand Teton National Park offers incredible opportunities. Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front is spectacular. The National Elk Refuge near Jackson is world-famous.

But none combine wildlife diversity, visibility, accessibility, and sheer scale quite like Lamar Valley.

In a single day, visitors might see bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes, badgers, elk, and countless other species.

There may be places that rival Lamar Valley for a particular animal.

But when it comes to the overall wildlife experience, I don’t think there’s another place quite like it in the Lower 48.

Every time I visit Yellowstone, I find myself drawn back there.

Maybe it’s the possibility of seeing a grizzly around the next bend.

Maybe it’s the chance of spotting another badger.

Maybe it’s remembering the kids we’ve brought there through Higher Calling Wildlife and the impact those experiences had on their lives.

Whatever the reason, Lamar Valley has given me more unforgettable wildlife encounters than any place I’ve visited in the continental United States.

And that’s saying something.

Chester Moore

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https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1OXAWSH6A2WZT?ref_=wl_share

Bears, Elk & Tennessee

July 13, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

In early August, we’ll be traveling to Tennessee for a special outreach focused on encouraging children through wildlife, conservation, and inspiration.

As part of this mission, we’ll be giving gift bags to kids in rural communities—simple gifts that can inspire a lifelong love of God’s creation while reminding them that they are seen, valued, and loved.

The first time we gave gifts in the Smoky Mountains was on the North Carolina side and we met this awesome family and gave them cool gift packages while viewing elk.

We’re asking for your help. And we need it because funds are pretty low and we really feel led to put this project together. You have been generous in the past and I believe we can get these items ordered through our readers and by extension you will be blessing these kids and aiming them toward a love of wildlife.

We’ve created an Amazon Wish List filled with affordable items that will go directly into these gift bags. The list includes Tennessee wildlife field guides, plush black bears, wildlife-themed bracelets, educational items, and other small gifts designed to encourage young nature lovers.

These may seem like small things, but we’ve learned over the years that a field guide can ignite a passion for wildlife, a stuffed animal can bring comfort to a child facing challenges, and a simple gift can open the door to conversations that have a lasting impact.

If you’d like to be part of this mission, simply choose one or more items from our Amazon Wish List. They’ll be shipped directly to us so we can prepare the gift bags before we head to Tennessee.

Our Tennessee Mission Wish List (Link Below)

Every purchase, no matter how small, helps us bless another child.

Thank you for partnering with us through Higher Calling Wildlife as we share hope, encourage a love for God’s creation, and invest in the next generation of wildlife conservationists.

We can’t wait to share stories and photos from this Tennessee mission when we return!

Chester Moore

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

A Look At Louisiana’s Biodiversity

July 10, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Louisiana, my home state, is home to an incredible variety of ecosystems, making it one of the most biologically diverse states in the United States.

From sprawling coastal marshes and cypress swamps to pine forests, hardwood bottomlands, and native prairies, each habitat supports its own unique community of plants, animals, fungi, and insects. Together, these ecosystems create a rich natural heritage that provides countless benefits for both wildlife and people.

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Louisiana is how much wildlife can be found almost anywhere you go.

The state’s low-lying marshlands and bayous are famous for being home to the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), the official state reptile. Often seen basking along muddy banks or quietly gliding through the water, alligators play an important role as top predators that help keep wetland ecosystems balanced. Sharing these waters is another fascinating reptile, the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), the largest freshwater turtle in North America.

With its massive head, powerful jaws, and remarkable camouflage, this ancient-looking turtle is one of Louisiana’s most impressive native species.

Another common wetland resident is the nutria (Myocastor coypus), a large semiaquatic rodent originally introduced from South America. While nutria are now common throughout the state’s wetlands, they can also cause significant damage to marsh vegetation by feeding on plant roots.

Louisiana’s coastal wetlands include an extensive network of marshes, swamps, bayous, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters.

These habitats support an incredible diversity of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. Because coastal wetlands can contain both freshwater and saltwater, they are often called “transitional ecosystems.”

This mix of water types allows species from different environments to thrive in the same region. Migratory birds use these wetlands as critical resting and feeding areas, while fish, shrimp, oysters, and crabs depend on them as nursery grounds during important stages of their life cycles.

Beyond the wetlands, Louisiana also contains large areas of pine forests and hardwood forests that provide habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, black bears, bobcats, foxes, squirrels, and countless songbirds. Native prairies, though much less common today than they once were, support colorful wildflowers, butterflies, bees, and other important pollinators.

Every ecosystem contributes to the overall health of Louisiana’s environment by supporting biodiversity and maintaining natural ecological processes.

These natural habitats are not only important for wildlife but also for people. Louisiana’s wetlands support valuable commercial fisheries that produce shrimp, oysters, crabs, and many species of fish enjoyed around the world.

The state’s forests provide timber and outdoor recreation opportunities, while marshes and bayous attract people who enjoy kayaking, boating, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, and wildlife photography. Healthy ecosystems also improve water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediment before it reaches larger rivers and the Gulf.

A wil turkey flies over a pond after being captured and radio collared by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (Photo by Chester Moore)

Perhaps one of the most important services Louisiana’s wetlands provide is protecting communities from severe weather. Wetlands help absorb floodwaters, reduce storm surge, and slow wind-driven waves during hurricanes.

Although they cannot stop powerful storms, healthy coastal marshes act as natural buffers that reduce damage to inland communities. This makes protecting and restoring wetlands an important part of Louisiana’s future.

Growing up in and spending time exploring my home state has given me a deep appreciation for these incredible places and the wildlife that depends on them. Louisiana’s diverse ecosystems are among its greatest treasures.

Redfish are an important part of Louisiana coastal ecosystems, (Photo by Chester Moore)

They provide habitat for thousands of species while supporting the state’s economy, outdoor traditions, and unique way of life. By conserving wetlands, forests, prairies, and other natural habitats, we can ensure that future generations will continue to experience the amazing natural beauty that makes Louisiana so special.

Reannah Hollaway

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https://kingdomzoo.donortools.com/my/funds/85891-Shark-Wishes-Fund

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Higher Calling Wildlife, Wild Wishes

The Next Wild Wish Begins With a Shark

July 9, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

One of the greatest blessings of the Wild Wishes® program is watching a child experience something they never thought possible.

We’ve watched fear turn into excitement.

We’ve seen children battling critical illness smile again.

We’ve watched kids who have experienced unimaginable loss discover hope through God’s incredible creation.

Those moments are why we do what we do.

Today, we’re asking for your help with two important needs that will help us continue reaching children through wildlife, conservation, and the love of Christ.

Help Us Grant a Shark Wish

We’re currently raising $750 to grant the Wild Wish of an incredible young girl whose greatest dream is to have a close encounter with sharks.

If you’ve followed Higher Calling Wildlife very long, you know sharks have become a special part of our ministry. Through documentaries, conservation work, educational programs, and countless articles, we’ve worked to replace fear with understanding while showing people just how remarkable these misunderstood animals really are.

Chester granting a shark cage dive encounter with Juno and her Dad at the Denver Aquarium.

Now we have the opportunity to give one young girl an experience she’ll never forget.

The funds will help cover travel, lodging, admission, meals, and other expenses needed to make this Wild Wishes® encounter a reality for her and her family.

Our goal is simple: raise $750 and make this dream come true and also to help us send some shark gift packages out to a few kids as well.

If you’d like to help, you can give directly to the Shark Wishes Fund here:

🦈 Help Grant a Shark Wish

Help Us Capture More Stories

We’re also raising $250 to purchase a new action camera for the Wild Wishes program.

As we continue to grow, video has become one of the most effective ways we can reach children and families. Every Wild Wish, every expedition, every conservation project, and every outdoor adventure has the potential to inspire thousands more people when we can share those moments well.

Whether we’re filming a child seeing a shark for the first time, photographing bighorn sheep in the Rockies, exploring mountain streams with young conservationists, or documenting wildlife encounters across Texas and beyond, quality footage allows us to preserve those memories and tell stories that encourage others to get involved.

Just as importantly, these videos help us introduce new families to the Wild Wishes program, inspire support for future wishes, and encourage more young people to discover God’s creation. We believe media will become an increasingly important part of our ministry moving forward, allowing us to reach far more children than we ever could through in-person events alone.

Our goal is to raise $250 to put a new action camera into the field so we can continue telling these stories with excellence.

📹 Help Us Get a New Camera for Wild Wishes

https://kingdomzoo.donortools.com/my/funds/80866-Wild-Wishes-Fund

Every Gift Makes a Difference

Together, these two needs total just $1,000.

$750 will help grant a life-changing shark encounter for a deserving young girl.
$250 will help us purchase a new action camera to document more Wild Wishes experiences and wildlife expeditions, allowing us to share those stories with even more children and families.

No gift is too small. Whether you can give $10, $25, $50, or more, every contribution helps us move closer to these goals.

Most of all, thank you for believing in the mission of Higher Calling Wildlife. Thank you for believing that God’s creation can open hearts, restore hope, and change lives. And thank you for helping us continue creating unforgettable experiences for children while sharing those stories with the world.

Together, we can grant another Wild Wish and inspire many more to come.

Chester Moore

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Trading the Xbox for a Tackle Box

July 7, 2026 Chester Moore 2 Comments

It was one of the few times my dad didn’t want to take me fishing.

Every morning on the way to school, Mom and I passed a little roadside gully. It wasn’t much to look at. The water was stained, the banks were choked with weeds and brush, and from the road it looked more like a drainage ditch than a place anyone would ever fish. But every time we drove past it, I wondered what might be living beneath that muddy surface.

I begged Dad to take me.

He wasn’t convinced there could be much there, but eventually he gave in. It didn’t take long before my red, white and blue bobber disappeared beneath the surface. A few moments later I was holding a spotted gar nearly two feet long. To most people it would have been an odd-looking fish from an insignificant little ditch. To me, it was the beginning of a lifelong adventure.

Looking back, that fish was only part of what I caught that day. I caught a sense of wonder that has stayed with me ever since.

Tommy is all smiles with this nice largemouth!

That roadside gully wasn’t the only place where I discovered the outdoors. There were ponds tucked behind country roads, little creeks winding through the woods, stock tanks on ranches, neighborhood lakes and quiet stretches of shoreline where bluegills, bass, catfish and crappie all offered the possibility of another adventure. I have learned that nearly every lifelong angler has one of those places—a spot that wasn’t famous or expensive, but one that became unforgettable because it was where everything began.

Faith put on her pink cowboy hat to fish the same gully her Dad fished as a kid.

Those humble waters have launched countless conservationists, wildlife photographers, fisheries biologists, game wardens and outdoor communicators. They have introduced generations of children to God’s incredible creation in a way few other experiences can.

That is more important today than ever before.

Children are growing up surrounded by screens. Social media competes for every spare moment, offering a constant stream of entertainment, comparison and unrealistic expectations. It can become a place where every photo is filtered, every accomplishment is measured against someone else’s highlight reel, and too many young people feel as though they’re constantly being evaluated.

Fishing offers a welcome escape from all of that. Out on the water, no one is judging a child by the clothes they’re wearing, the number of followers they have or whether they fit someone else’s idea of success. Nature doesn’t mock them, criticize them or ask them to live up to impossible standards. A farm pond doesn’t care how popular they are at school. A winding creek doesn’t compare them to someone else. The fish certainly don’t care. Those quiet places simply invite them to slow down, breathe deeply and enjoy the world God created.

Instead of scrolling through someone else’s adventures, they begin creating their own. They notice dragonflies hovering over lily pads, turtles slipping quietly from sun-bleached logs, and a kingfisher rattling across the water. They begin asking questions about the fish beneath the surface, the birds overhead and the tracks pressed into the muddy bank. Before long, curiosity turns into appreciation, and appreciation often becomes stewardship.

Sometimes the coolest catch isn’t even a fish. Turtles put big smiles on kid’s faces too!

Scripture tells us that “the heavens declare the glory of God.” I’ve found that His handiwork is just as evident beside a farm pond or winding creek as it is atop a mountain.

Some of life’s greatest lessons come during quiet moments spent outdoors, where there are few distractions and plenty of opportunities to listen—not only to the sounds of nature, but to one another.

Some of the best conversations between parents and children happen while waiting for a bobber to disappear beneath the surface. Without televisions, notifications or endless interruptions, there is time to laugh, tell stories, answer questions and simply enjoy being together. Years later, children may not remember every fish they caught, but they almost always remember who was standing beside them. Those shared experiences build relationships in ways that are difficult to duplicate anywhere else.

One of the greatest things about introducing kids to fishing is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is, the better. You don’t need a high-dollar bass boat or tackle boxes filled with specialized lures. A neighborhood pond, a farm pond with permission, a quiet creek, a stock tank or a public fishing pier can be the perfect classroom.

Start with simple equipment. A light spinning outfit or even a cane pole, a small hook beneath a bobber and a container of earthworms will catch bluegills almost anywhere they swim. Those colorful little fish are ideal for youngsters because they bite readily, fight hard for their size and keep children engaged. Every bobber twitch builds anticipation, and every fish feels like a trophy. Once a child catches a few bluegills, you can introduce them to bass, catfish, crappie or whatever species swims in your local waters. The important thing isn’t chasing trophy fish. It’s creating positive experiences that make them want to come back.

Keep those first trips short and fun. An hour or two of steady action is usually far better than spending an entire day waiting on a bite. Let children explore the shoreline. Turn over a rock and see if there are crawfish hiding underneath. Point out turtles, frogs, butterflies and birds. Watch an osprey dive for a fish or listen to a chorus of tree frogs as evening settles in. If the fish stop biting, skip rocks or simply sit together and enjoy the quiet. Remember that the trip is about much more than filling a stringer.

Those outings also become natural opportunities to teach conservation. Children quickly learn why we pick up litter instead of walking past it, why we respect private property, why we handle fish carefully and why clean water matters. Long before they understand habitat management or fisheries biology, they begin to understand stewardship. They learn that God’s creation is a gift and that caring for it is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Over the years, I have been blessed to fish some incredible places, from remote rivers and coastal marshes to mountain lakes and sprawling reservoirs. Those destinations are unforgettable, but they all trace back to simple beginnings. They trace back to overlooked waters that many people passed without a second glance. They trace back to adults who were willing to invest a little time in a curious kid with a fishing rod.

The author has caught his dream fish like this Wels catfish in Spain in 2005 but he still loves to fish little ponds, streams and gullies.

As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and mentors, we spend a lot of time wondering how to prepare children for the future. We worry about the influences they’ll face and the pressures they’ll encounter. One of the greatest gifts we can give them is surprisingly simple. Hand them a fishing rod and take them somewhere close to home. It might be a forgotten creek, a farm pond, a cattle tank, a city park lake or a quiet stretch of river. The destination matters far less than the opportunity to spend time together outdoors.

They may remember the fish they caught, and they’ll certainly remember the one that got away. More importantly, they’ll remember the person who took them there. They’ll remember laughing over tangled fishing line, celebrating a hand-sized bluegill as though it were a state record and sitting quietly as the sun settled behind the trees.

In a world that constantly demands more of our children, fishing reminds them that they are enough. It gives them a place where they can simply be kids, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation and the people who love them most.

And somewhere along the way, between the first cast and the last ripple on the water, they’ll discover that the greatest thing they brought home wasn’t a fish at all. It was a deeper appreciation for the Creator, His creation and the priceless gift of time spent together.

Chester Moore

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To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Mysterious Wildlife

In the Shadow of the Ghost Wolves

July 7, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

As storm clouds loomed over the coastal prairie and low, rumbling thunder echoed in the distance, I quickened my pace.

Having placed a motion-sensing camera near a small, brackish marsh, there were still several hundred yards left to change film and perhaps validate sighting reports for the area.

After rounding a corner of the trail, I stopped for a second to adjust the hood of my jacket when I saw it.

Lying in the broad open was what appeared to be a wolf. A large wolf.

Its coat was deep red and the head showed a prominent sagittal crest, broad snout, highlighted by large ears. Its tail was long but not too bushy and it had a white tip that matched the lining on the front of its legs.

Fewer than 40 yards separated us yet I wanted to move in closer. Slowly walking toward the animal without looking directly in its eyes, I closed the distance another 10 yards before it showed any signs of distress. Then it suddenly jumped to its feet and retreated with a gait only found in wolves.

Validation would not come from the lens of the camera but with my own two eyes in what was the most unique wildlife encounter of my life. A reader of my newspaper column tipped me off to the wolves in this area and following up had paid off in a magnificent way, but this encounter would not be the end of the story.

What was it that I saw?

Canis rufus, the red wolf, was common in the southeastern United States from the Carolinas to central Texas. However, popular theory has it predator control programs combined with habitat loss in certain areas reduced the population and by the 1970s, United States Fish and Wildlife Service officials declared the only remaining red wolves were in eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana.

A newspaper clipping from 1986 from near the location the author had the encounter.

The common thinking was the population threatened itself by interbreeding with Canis latrans and Canis familiaris (domestic dog). In response to this, Service officials made Canis rufus the first-ever mammal put on the endangered species list and started a capture program in 1973 to find the last remaining “genetically pure” red wolves and found a captive breeding program. In 1980, Service officials considered the red wolf extinct in the wild and labeled only 14 of the hundreds of animals they caught as pure red wolves. These 14 specimens are the basis for all of the red wolves in the federal recovery program.

Research that is more recent suggests the red wolf is a fertile hybrid of the coyote and gray wolf. DNA analysis of 77 canids captured for the captive breeding program from 1973-1976 (including some of the first animals in the captive breeding program) revealed genotypes found only in southern coyotes or gray wolves. In fact, they even showed a gray wolf characteristic associated with the Mexican gray wolf, another highly endangered canid.

Without question there are animals in Texas that look virtually exactly like the red wolves in the federal captive breeding program. Whether they are genetically the same remains open to debate, but there are clearly wild canines other than coyotes on the landscape. Many of these animals occur along the upper Texas coast and are geographically close to the so-called “ghost wolves” documented in the Galveston region. These Galveston-area canids attracted scientific attention after genetic studies revealed they carried significant red wolf ancestry despite living outside the federal recovery program.

The animals I have documented share many of the same morphological characteristics associated with red wolves, including larger body size, broad skulls, long legs, reddish coloration, large ears, white markings, and a distinctly wolf-like gait. Given their proximity to the Galveston ghost wolves and their remarkable physical similarity to recognized red wolves, it is reasonable to suspect these animals may also possess significant red wolf DNA. Only comprehensive genetic testing can answer that question definitively, but the evidence suggests these coastal canids may represent an important reservoir of red wolf ancestry. The popular term for them is “coywolves.”

You can go to my YouTube channel and see numerous videos on this topic including the one below.

A landowner called late one Friday evening and said he had been feeding coyotes on his property in hopes of killing them before he built a facility there. He feared the coyotes would cause problems around tenants’ dogs and cats, so he planned to eliminate them. The evening before he called me, he sat out with his rifle and watched as three wolves came up to the dog food he had put out to lure coyotes.

“I looked through my scope and immediately noticed them as red wolves because of the articles I had seen in the paper and the fact I have seen lots of coyotes and knew this was no coyote,” he said.

I rushed over to the spot, set out my Trophy View motion-sensing video camera and that evening captured nearly 30 minutes of video of a beautiful red wolf eating dog food. The video is so long because the wolf can hear the camera running but cannot quite place the sound, so it takes a bite, runs off, looks around and takes another bite. The video is quite humorous to watch and shows something that is definitely not a pure coyote.

After the beautiful animal at the beginning of this story ran off, I walked toward one of my motion-sensing cameras and heard footsteps in the dry leaves behind me. When I turned around, I noticed the wolf I had just seen was following me. At a distance of only 10 yards, it showed no aggressive posturing but a general curiosity as to what I was doing in its habitat and perhaps more importantly how long I was going to stay.

As I locked eyes with it, I saw an untamed, majestic wildness that reminded me why I got into wildlife study to begin with. Then almost instantly, its eyes changed and a look of deep fear overcame it. It stared for a second, put down its ears and ran off into the brush.

I have pondered many times what that animal was thinking as we stared at one another and then another thought crossed my mind.

If a simple stare caused this proud creature to retreat into the brush, what could a growing human population starving for land to develop do to them? How many are there? Could some of these animals represent descendants of the same red wolf lineage once thought lost forever? These are questions I continually ponder.

At the end of the day, I say if it looks like a wolf and howls like a wolf, it is probably a wolf.

Or maybe, in this case, a wolf carrying the legacy of the red wolf.

Based on what we are learning from the Galveston ghost wolves and similar animals documented along the Texas coast, that possibility may be far greater than many ever imagined.

Chester Moore

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

America 250: How a Nation Saved Its Wildlife

July 3, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

The gobbler stepped into a small opening just after sunrise.

For a few moments he stood there in the soft morning light, bronze feathers glowing as he moved through the grass. It was a scene repeated thousands of times across America every spring, so common that most people never stop to think about it.

A century ago, seeing a wild turkey in many parts of the United States would have been almost impossible.

A Rio Grande gobbler the author photographed in Kerr County, TX.

The same could be said for elk in numerous Western states. White-tailed deer across much of the country. Wood ducks in many wetlands. Bighorn sheep in numerous mountain ranges. Even iconic species such as the American bison stood on the edge of extinction.

Yet today, Americans routinely encounter wildlife in numbers that would have seemed unimaginable to many conservationists a hundred years ago.

An early Higher Calling Wildlife® expedition involved two of our kids releasing Eastern wild turkeys with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and National Wild Turkey Federation.

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, there will be plenty of discussion about military victories, political achievements, economic growth, and technological innovation. All of those deserve recognition.

But there is another uniquely American success story that belongs in that conversation.

The recovery of wildlife.

I have spent much of my life pursuing wildlife stories across North America. I’ve photographed bighorn sheep in the Rockies, alligators in Southern swamps, great white sharks off both the Pacific Coast and Cape Cod, and countless species in between. One thing has become clear through those experiences.

Groups like the Wild Sheep Foundation have been instrumental in the recovery of bighorn sheep. The author photographed this big ram near Estes Park, CO.

America is still a nation rich in wildlife.

That may seem like an obvious statement, but it is actually a remarkable achievement.

At the dawn of the twentieth century, the future looked very different.

Market hunting had devastated many species. Habitat loss was accelerating. Conservation laws were limited or nonexistent in many places. Wildlife was often viewed as an unlimited resource, and the consequences were becoming painfully clear.

American bison had been reduced from tens of millions to only a few hundred animals. Wild turkey populations had collapsed. White-tailed deer had disappeared from large portions of their historic range. Waterfowl populations were under severe pressure. Numerous fish species faced declining numbers.

Many people believed America’s wildlife abundance was disappearing forever. Instead, something remarkable happened.

Americans decided to do something about it.

One of the most important figures in that movement was Theodore Roosevelt. Long before conservation became a mainstream topic, Roosevelt understood that wildlife required active stewardship. An avid hunter, naturalist, and outdoorsman, he recognized that healthy wildlife populations and healthy habitats were inseparable.

Roosevelt was joined by visionaries such as George Bird Grinnell, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold, and countless state wildlife professionals whose work helped establish modern conservation principles. Together they promoted a revolutionary idea: wildlife belongs to everyone and should be managed for future generations.

That philosophy eventually evolved into what became known as the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

The model is uniquely American in many ways. Wildlife is held in trust for the public. Science guides management decisions. Conservation funding is tied directly to those who use and enjoy natural resources. Citizens play an active role in conservation rather than simply observing it from the sidelines. I learned about this as a teenager through my interest not only in wildlife but because of being a hunter and angler.

Happy 4th of July from Chester and Faith Moore.

You see hunters and anglers became central to that effort.

Through license purchases, excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and boating equipment, generations of sportsmen and women have contributed billions of dollars toward wildlife management, fisheries conservation, habitat restoration, research, public access, and conservation education.

That contribution cannot be overstated.

But the story is bigger than hunters and anglers alone.

Wildlife biologists dedicated careers to restoring species. Landowners improved habitat. Conservation organizations protected critical landscapes. Volunteers planted trees, restored wetlands, removed invasive species, and supported countless projects. National parks, wildlife refuges, state parks, and public lands became anchors of conservation across the country.

Groups like the Coastal Conservation Association helped restored the redfish after the ravages of commercial harvest.

In many ways, America’s conservation success became a team effort involving millions of people from different backgrounds united by a belief that wildlife mattered.

The results speak for themselves.

White-tailed deer rebounded from historic lows to become one of North America’s most abundant large mammals. Wild turkeys returned to landscapes where they had been absent for generations. Elk populations expanded. Pronghorns recovered. Wood ducks became one of conservation’s greatest comeback stories.

Bighorn sheep, a species especially close to my heart, were restored to mountain ranges where they had disappeared. While challenges remain, there are countless places today where people can see wild sheep because conservationists refused to accept their loss as inevitable.

The same story can be told in America’s waters.

Anglers helped support conservation efforts that benefited striped bass, trout, red drum, largemouth bass, and countless other species. Habitat restoration projects improved rivers, lakes, marshes, and coastal ecosystems. Better science and management helped sustain fisheries that continue to provide recreation and economic benefits for millions of Americans.

And perhaps most importantly, these efforts benefited far more than game species.

When wetlands are restored for waterfowl, countless other birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals benefit. When habitat is protected for deer, elk, or bighorn sheep, entire ecosystems often improve. Conservation rarely helps only one species.

It strengthens the broader landscape.

What makes this story especially meaningful is that it reflects some of America’s best qualities.

Freedom.

Responsibility.

Volunteerism.

Innovation.

Stewardship.

Rather than separating people from wildlife, the American conservation model encourages participation. Citizens are not simply observers. They become stakeholders. They invest in wildlife through their time, money, expertise, and advocacy.

That approach is not perfect. Challenges remain. Habitat fragmentation, invasive species, development pressures, and emerging environmental concerns require ongoing attention.

Conservation is never finished.

But when viewed honestly, America’s record is extraordinary.

Few nations can point to wildlife recoveries on this scale while maintaining broad public access, private property rights, robust outdoor traditions, and strong citizen involvement. The abundance of wildlife many Americans enjoy today did not happen by accident.

It happened because generations of people cared enough to act.

The next time you hear a turkey gobble at dawn, watch a herd of elk move across a mountain meadow, see a redfish tailing in a coastal marsh, spot a bighorn sheep on a rocky slope, or simply notice a white-tailed deer stepping from the woods, remember that those moments represent something larger than a wildlife sighting.

They are evidence of one of the greatest conservation success stories in world history.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we should recognize that some of our most important achievements are not found in monuments, battlefields, or government buildings.

They are found in healthy rivers, thriving forests, productive wetlands, open prairies, and wild places where wildlife still flourishes.

The American conservation story is ultimately about more than animals.

It is about a nation that chose stewardship over surrender, responsibility over indifference, and hope over decline.

And that may be one of the most American stories of all.

Chester Moore

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The National Bighorn Sheep Center Enters an Exciting New Chapter

July 2, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

There are some places that simply feel like home the moment you arrive. For me, Dubois, WY is one of those places.

For the past three years, Higher Calling Wildlife® has had the privilege of partnering with Camp Bighorn which is ran by the National Bighorn Sheep Center. That partnership involves me spending time with young people who are eager to learn about wildlife conservation with a special emphasis on using photograph and video to raise awareness.

It is such an honor to get to take part in this and I’m inspired to return every year.

Each trip back reminds me why this community has become such a special part of our work. The scenery is spectacular, the people are welcoming, and there is a genuine passion here for conserving one of North America’s greatest mountain icons.

The North American four near the entrance look amazing!

Before teaching this year’s group of 27 campers a session on using photograph for conservation, I spent some time exploring the National Bighorn Sheep Center, and I quickly realized there is a lot that’s new.

I had the opportunity to visit with Executive Director Anna Miller, who showed me many of the improvements that have transformed the visitor experience.

Updated lighting brings the exhibits to life, while new interpretive placards make it easier than ever to understand the incredible story of wild sheep and the challenges they face. Throughout the Center, interactive displays invite visitors to sharpen their wildlife identification skills, compare horns and skulls, and gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable wildlife of the Rocky Mountains.

One of the things I appreciated most is that the exhibits don’t avoid the difficult realities of conservation. Visitors learn about diseases that continue to threaten wild sheep populations, predator-prey relationships, habitat issues, and the challenges that can arise when domestic sheep and goats come into contact with wild sheep.

Those aren’t always easy conversations, but they’re important ones. Conservation isn’t just about admiring wildlife. It’s about understanding what it takes to keep these animals thriving for generations to come.

This display does an incredible job of showing the great challenges bighorn sheep face.

The Center has also expanded its interpretation of the historical and cultural importance of bighorn sheep. Updated exhibits explore the connection between

Native peoples and these magnificent animals, reminding visitors that bighorn sheep have held a place of significance for countless generations. It’s an important reminder that wildlife conservation is also about preserving a living heritage.

I’ve visited wildlife museums, nature centers, and interpretive facilities across North America, and what stands out about the National Bighorn Sheep Center is that it doesn’t simply present information. It invites people to engage with it. Whether you’re identifying wildlife, learning about habitat, or discovering the challenges facing wild sheep today, every exhibit encourages curiosity and inspires visitors to look at conservation through a deeper lens.

A white bighorn ram and a ram with very unusual horns are now highlighted in a big way.

That made it the perfect place to spend a little time before Camp Bighorn.

In just a short time, I’d be joining 27 young campers for a week centered on wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors. Seeing the exhibits beforehand reinforced something I’ve believed for years: when you help someone understand wildlife, you dramatically increase the chances they’ll care enough to protect it.

That’s exactly why opportunities like Camp Bighorn matter. Young people who spend time learning about wildlife today become the hunters, wildlife biologists, researchers, land managers, photographers, and conservation advocates of tomorrow. We’re honored to play a small part in that effort alongside the dedicated people who make it happen year after year.

Native traditions involving bighorn sheep give the facility a unique historical flare.

The National Bighorn Sheep Center is much more than a museum. It’s a place where people of every age can discover the remarkable story of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, learn about the challenges they face, and leave with a greater appreciation for the wild landscapes they call home.

As I left the Center to meet this year’s campers, I couldn’t think of a better way to begin the week. Conservation starts with knowledge, grows through experience, and flourishes when people are inspired to care.

The National Bighorn Sheep Center is helping make that happen every single day.

Chester Moore

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Garden of the Gods and the Hidden Story Behind Colorado’s Bighorns

July 1, 2026 Chester Moore Leave a comment

There are moments in the outdoors when a wildlife encounter becomes something much bigger than a photograph. It becomes a lesson in conservation, stewardship and the quiet work taking place behind the scenes to keep North America’s wild places truly wild.

That’s exactly what happened during a recent visit by our Higher Calling Wildlife team to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Earlier in the day, our team spent time with children involved in one of our Colorado outreach efforts, sharing wildlife conservation gift packages and talking about God’s creation, conservation and the importance of becoming good stewards of the natural world. Watching young people get excited about wildlife is always one of the highlights of our trips. Those conversations are investments in the next generation of conservationists, and they remind us that protecting wildlife begins with inspiring people.

Later that day, we found ourselves receiving another lesson—this one from a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Driving the scenic loop through Garden of the Gods, we noticed movement high among the dramatic red sandstone formations. Looking closer, we spotted a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorns feeding and making their way across the rugged terrain. Even from a distance, they were magnificent.

I immediately knew I wanted to photograph them.

Rather than trying to shoot from the roadside, I hiked to a higher vantage point where I could safely photograph the sheep without disturbing them. Every step reinforced something I’ve learned after years of photographing wildlife: sometimes the effort required to reach a better perspective becomes part of the experience itself.

Watching those sheep effortlessly negotiate cliffs and ledges that seemed nearly vertical was a reminder that they are perfectly designed for a landscape that would challenge almost any other animal.

While photographing the herd, I met two officials whose responsibility is helping protect both the sheep and the thousands of visitors who pass through the park each year. Their work includes managing traffic when the animals approach the scenic loop and helping keep the sheep from wandering onto the roadway.

Then one of them mentioned something I had never heard before.

He explained they also work to discourage the sheep from crossing into an area where domestic sheep and goats are present because of the risk of disease transmission. Domestic sheep and goats can carry pathogens that may have little effect on them but can be devastating to wild bighorn populations.

That immediately caught my attention.

I’ve written about pneumonia and other disease concerns affecting Rocky Mountain bighorns, including management efforts involving mountain goats elsewhere in Colorado, but I had never heard about active efforts at Garden of the Gods specifically intended to keep these wild sheep separated from nearby domestic animals.

It was fascinating, and it’s something I intend to circle back on with park and wildlife leadership so I can learn more about how those efforts work and what role they play in protecting this remarkable herd.

It’s a reminder that some of the most important conservation work happens quietly.

Visitors see incredible wildlife against one of America’s most beautiful backdrops. What they often don’t see are the dedicated people working behind the scenes to reduce vehicle collisions, manage human interactions and help minimize disease risks that could threaten the future of these animals.

Across the West, diseases associated with contact between domestic sheep and wild bighorns have been one of the greatest challenges facing restoration efforts. Entire herds have suffered significant declines after pneumonia outbreaks, making prevention one of the highest priorities for wildlife managers and conservation organizations.

Fortunately, those organizations aren’t working alone.

Groups such as the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society have played major roles in supporting wild sheep conservation through habitat improvement, disease research, population restoration, educational programs and volunteer projects.

State wildlife agencies, biologists, hunters, wildlife photographers and conservation-minded citizens have all contributed to one of North America’s great wildlife success stories. Supporting organizations like these through memberships, fundraising events, volunteer work or simply helping spread awareness allows anyone to become part of that ongoing effort.

Standing there with my camera, I couldn’t help but think back to the children we had visited earlier in the day. We had encouraged them to care about wildlife and to understand that conservation isn’t just something professionals do—it’s something all of us can participate in.

Then, only hours later, we witnessed exactly what that looks like.

Dedicated professionals were protecting a wild herd. Conservation organizations were supporting long-term recovery efforts. Visitors were slowing down to admire the animals. And our team had the privilege of witnessing not only one of Colorado’s most iconic species, but also the network of people committed to ensuring those sheep remain part of this landscape for generations to come.

For our Higher Calling Wildlife team, Garden of the Gods became far more than another stop on a Colorado adventure. It became another reminder that every wildlife encounter has a deeper story. Sometimes that story is written across ancient stone cliffs.

Sometimes it’s found in the determined climb to reach a better photograph. And sometimes it’s told by the people whose daily work helps keep wild sheep wild.

Those are stories worth telling and lessons worth passing on to the next generation.

Chester Moore

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