Advertise on podcast: The Texas Campfire

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard heads to Three Rivers, Texas to visit Rodney and Jarrett Geisler at Performance Top Drives and step inside the wild world of custom hunting and ranch trucks. What started decades ago with homemade racks, ropes, levers, and questionable engineering has turned into something completely different. Today, these rigs can have hydraulic steering, luxury seating, massive stereo systems, Starlink internet, thermal cameras, televisions, refrigerators, liquor cabinets, margarita machines, shooting benches, elevators, custom paint, and just about anything else a ranch owner can dream up. Rodney shares how he went from working as a mechanic to building his first top drive almost by accident, and how one customer led to another until Performance Top Drives became a business building custom rigs for ranchers, hunters, celebrities, international clients, and people all over the world. Mark, Rodney, and Jarrett also get into some of the craziest builds they have ever done, including rigs built for famous athletes, international royalty, massive party trucks, quail rigs, luxury touring vehicles, and custom builds costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. And then there are the stories. Burned-up trucks, low bridges, blown tires, late-night deliveries, hunting rigs catching fire, six-hour delivery parties, Marfa lights, ranch roads, and plenty of moments where things almost went completely sideways. This episode is about more than hunting trucks. It is about South Texas ingenuity, ranch culture, custom craftsmanship, family business, and building something that lets people enjoy the outdoors with their friends and family in a completely different way. If you like ranches, hunting, trucks, fabrication, big boy toys, or just hearing stories about crazy ideas that somehow became reality, you’re going to enjoy this one. Pull up a chair and join us at Performance Top Drives in Three Rivers, Texas. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

This week on The Texas Campfire Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of a traditional sit-down podcast, Mark Hubbard takes you on the road for a more visual, show-style episode as he heads to Animal Artistry of Texas to visit his longtime friend and taxidermist, Gerald Lieck. Mark is picking up two deer mounts from last season, and both come with a story. One is a South Texas whitetail that ended a 38-year stretch without him pulling the trigger on a trophy whitetail. The other is a massive Sonora mule deer he almost passed on because he thought the buck was too thin-horned. What starts as a taxidermy pickup turns into a deeper conversation about hunting, patience, memories, and the emotion behind the animals we choose to harvest. Mark talks about why he went so long without shooting a trophy whitetail, the moment this deer finally changed his mind, and what it felt like to walk up on an animal that meant that much after all those years. Gerald also shares the heart behind his work as a taxidermist, the responsibility of preserving someone’s memory, and why every mount is more than just antlers on a wall. You’ll also meet Emily, the young taxidermist Gerald is mentoring as he prepares to pass the business and craft on to the next generation. This episode is part road trip, part hunting story, part taxidermy shop visit, and part reflection on why certain animals stay with us forever. Because this episode is very visual, you’ll get the full experience by watching it on YouTube. Watch the full episode here: youtube.com/@thetexascampfire Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Jim Williams of V8 Ranch for a conversation about Brahman cattle, South Texas ranching, family legacy, cattle judging, hunting stories, and what it really means to ride for the brand. Jim may call himself “just a sharecropper from South Texas,” but in the cattle world, V8 Brahman cattle are known far beyond Texas. From Hungerford and Wharton County to Houston, Mexico, Latin America, Pakistan, and beyond, the V8 brand has become part of the worldwide Brahman cattle story. Mark and Jim talk about the history of V8 Ranch, the origin of the V8 name, the cattlemen who shaped the breed, the importance of good females, why Brahman influence matters in hot country, and how generations of ranchers have built their lives around cattle, family, and hard-earned reputation. They also get into old South Texas hunting stories, George Light, Joe Finley, the Callahan Ranch, old deer camps, cattle show memories, judging with integrity, 4-H and FFA, raising kids around livestock, and why agriculture is not just a job, but a lifestyle you never really clock out of. This episode is about more than cattle. It is about family, legacy, character, South Texas brush country, and the people who still understand what it means to take care of the land, the livestock, the customer, and the name on the brand. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with Jim Williams of V8 Ranch. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Morgan Tyler for a conversation about West Texas ranching, family land, hunting, history, and the kind of country that gets in your blood and never leaves. Morgan’s family has been tied to Presidio County for more than 140 years, going back to the days when cattle were driven west and ranches were carved out of some of the roughest country in Texas. Mark and Morgan talk about the Trans-Pecos, Marfa, Presidio County, old ranch families, the Marfa lights, border stories, aoudad sheep, desert bighorns, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, blue quail, and what it takes to make a living on land that is beautiful, harsh, and unforgiving. They also get into the changing landscape of West Texas hunting, from aoudad and elk hunts to mule deer management, predator pressure, private property rights, and why some of the best hunting stories come from places where you barely have cell service. This episode is about more than hunting. It is about family legacy, rugged country, and the people who still understand what it means to live close to the land. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with Morgan Tyler. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Austin Benning, owner of The Sharp Shooter Gun Shop in Corpus Christi, for a conversation about the gun industry, suppressors, thermal optics, hunting rifles, bird hunting, and how fast the firearms world is changing. Austin grew up around the gun shop his parents bought in 1998, and today he is carrying that family business into a new era. From range renovations and social media growth to new firearms, suppressor technology, and a team that knows how to serve both hunters and gun enthusiasts, Sharp Shooter has become a staple in South Texas. Mark and Austin talk about the major suppressor shakeup, the history of the NFA, Form 4 wait times, $0 tax stamps, 4473 suppressor transfers, Silencer Shop, GOA, and what these changes could mean for gun owners and dealers moving forward. They also get into modern hunting technology, including lightweight suppressed rifles, new ammunition, thermal scopes, laser rangefinders, ballistic calculators, predator hunting, dove season, sub-gauge shotguns, indoor ranges, and why the gun industry can change almost overnight. This episode is for hunters, gun owners, ranchers, and anyone who wants to understand where firearms, suppressors, and hunting technology are headed next. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with Austin Benning. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Dr. Scott Bugai, known by many as Classic Country Vet, for a conversation about veterinary medicine, Texas ranch life, deer, disease, hunting, and the outdoor world most people never see up close. Dr. Bugai shares how a kid from Seguin became a Texas A&M veterinarian, built a life around animals, and found himself working on everything from dogs and cattle to emus, ostriches, whitetail deer, and some of the biggest wildlife issues facing Texas today. But this episode is not just about being a vet. Mark and Scott talk about the deer breeding industry, high fence hunting, land fragmentation, CWD, EHD, bluetongue, screwworm, medicated feed, private land, public opinion, and why so many conversations around hunting and wildlife are more complicated than people want to admit. There are funny stories, hard opinions, hunting memories, vet clinic realities, and a little Yorkie named Smokey Joe who may steal the whole show. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with Dr. Scott Bugai. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Bill Hellen, a South Texas rancher and ranch historian whose family story reaches deep into Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, La Mota Ranch, and the old cattle country. Bill shares the kind of South Texas history that rarely gets written down. From one-legged pioneers and old ranch families, to vaquero culture, wild horses, cattle drives, droughts, oil field changes, military stories, and the fight to keep family land together, this conversation is full of the people, places, and memories that shaped ranching in South Texas. But this episode is not just about land. It is about loyalty, family, work ethic, old cowboys, forgotten ranch customs, and why these stories need to be told before they disappear. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with Bill Hellen. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Wyman Meinzer, Mark Hubbard sits back down in Benjamin, Texas for more stories from a life spent on the ground, in the air, behind a camera, and deep in the wild places of Texas. This episode goes from old-school deer hunting without blinds or feeders, to strange wildlife encounters, close calls in airplanes, brutal mountain hunts, lost history, old ranches, and the kind of moments that only happen when you spend a lifetime outside. Wyman shares stories about predators, photography, flying, the Yukon, West Texas, buffalo hunters, old jails, small-town history, and the disappearing freedom of the old days. Some stories are funny. Some are unbelievable. Some sound like they belong in a book. But with Wyman Meinzer, they all come from a life actually lived. Pull up a chair and join us for Part 2 with Wyman Meinzer. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down in Benjamin, Texas with legendary photographer, wildlife biologist, author, and outdoorsman Wyman Meinzer. Wyman’s life has taken him from ranch work on the Brazos River, to Texas Tech wildlife research, to predator hunting, photography, writing, and capturing the kind of Texas most people will never get to see for themselves. But this conversation is not just about cameras or coyotes. It is about the old way of learning the land, the kind of experiences you only get by living outside, and the stories that come from a lifetime spent close to wild things. Mark and Wyman talk about ranch life, predators, whitetails, roadrunners, South Texas brush, old cameras, hard lessons, and the moments that helped shape one of the most respected outdoor voices in Texas. Some of these stories sound almost impossible. But that is what happens when you sit down with someone who actually lived them. Pull up a chair and join us for Part 1 with Wyman Meinzer. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with wildlife artist Rob Morrison for a conversation about hunting, faith, family, Texas wildlife art, and the stories that live behind every painting. Rob’s work is inspired by the outdoors, South Texas whitetails, old hunting memories, and legendary wildlife artists like Don Keller and Charles Beckendorf. What started as pencil drawings and childhood fascination grew into a full-time calling to capture the moments hunters never forget. Mark and Rob talk about growing up around hunting, the first deer that left a lasting impression, Texas Trophy Hunters, South Texas deer culture, commission work, original wildlife paintings, and why every piece of art should tell a deeper story than just the animal on the canvas. Rob also shares how faith, marriage, fatherhood, loss, and stepping away from a steady landman career shaped his journey into becoming a full-time artist. From late nights learning during the pandemic to creating custom pieces for hunters, ranchers, and conservation-minded families, his story is one of passion, purpose, and trusting the gift God gave him. This episode is about more than wildlife art. It is about legacy, stewardship, family, faith, and preserving the hunting memories that deserve to live for generations. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with one of Texas’ most talented wildlife artists. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Mrs. Laura Berry for a conversation full of hunting stories, family memories, East Texas roots, South Texas grit, and a lifetime of lessons from the outdoors. At 95 years old, Laura shares stories from growing up in Center, Texas during the Depression, being raised in the country, learning the value of family, hard work, humor, and faith, and eventually building a life centered around hunting, ranches, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Laura talks about meeting her husband, Marvin Berry, trading the dance floor for the deer blind, raising four boys, taking every one of them hunting, and spending a lifetime making memories in South Texas, the Hill Country, West Texas, Mexico, and beyond. Mark and Laura also talk about deer hunting, turkey hunting, dove hunting, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pigeon shooting, gun safety, family legacy, losing loved ones, healing through the outdoors, and the joy that comes from a life lived with purpose. This episode is funny, heartfelt, and full of the kind of stories you only get from someone who has truly lived. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with a true Texas legend. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with wildlife biologist and passionate hunter EJ Varos for a conversation about South Texas deer management, ranch life, and what it takes to hunt around the world. EJ works as a wildlife biologist for Buenos Suerte Ranches in Zapata County, where he helps manage deer, habitat, protein feeding, low-fence and high-fence pastures, and the everyday realities of running a serious South Texas wildlife operation. Mark and EJ talk about deer densities, DMP pens, growing better whitetails, low-fence management, Mexico ranches, turkey hunting, axis deer, waterfowl, and how hunting has changed from the way they grew up to the way it is today. The conversation also goes far beyond South Texas. EJ shares stories from hunts in places like Mexico, Russia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, including brutal mountain hunts, high elevation, bad weather, international guides, and the physical discipline it takes to chase animals in some of the toughest country on earth. This episode is about more than hunting. It is about preparation, obsession, old animals, hard lessons, good stories, and the kind of passion that keeps a hunter chasing the next adventure. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with one of South Texas’ most dedicated hunters and wildlife minds. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Mr. Mike East at the historic Santa Fe Ranch in Linn, Texas, for a conversation filled with South Texas ranching history, family legacy, and stories from a way of life that is slowly disappearing. Mike shares what it was like growing up in one of South Texas’ most historic ranching families, with memories tied to the Santa Fe Ranch, San Antonio Viejo, Los Muertos, Buena Vista, and the old cattle country around Hebbronville, Bruni, and deep South Texas. From pear burning and lead steers to horseback roundups, trail drives, cattle shipping by rail, screw worms, helicopters, portable pens, wild cattle, King Ranch history, family land divisions, and the realities of keeping big ranches together, this conversation gives a rare look into the ranching world that built South Texas. Mark and Mike also talk about the East family’s connection to the King Ranch, the history of the Santa Fe Ranch, the shift from traditional cowboy work to modern ranch operations, and the challenges that come with passing large ranches from one generation to the next. This episode is more than a ranch story. It is a living piece of Texas history told by someone who lived it. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation about cattle, cowboys, family, land, and the old South Texas ranching world. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In this episode of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas veterinarian and rancher from the Falfurrias area, to talk about life on the front lines of private ranch country near the border. Dr. Vickers shares what landowners, ranchers, and law enforcement have dealt with for decades across Brooks County and the South Texas brush country, from damaged fences and broken water systems to cartel smuggling routes, abandoned people, private land security, and the humanitarian tragedies that happen far from the headlines. Mark and Dr. Vickers also discuss the Texas Border Volunteers, how the organization was formed, how they work alongside Border Patrol, DPS, Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and private landowners, and why local knowledge matters so much in this part of Texas. Later in the conversation, the episode shifts to another major threat facing Texas ranchers and wildlife: New World Screwworm. As a veterinarian who treated screwworm cases firsthand in the 1970s, Dr. Vickers explains why this parasite is such a serious concern for cattle, deer, horses, exotic wildlife, pets, and even people. He shares what ranchers need to know, why reporting suspected cases matters, and why Texas needs every available tool to protect livestock and wildlife if screwworms return. This is a conversation about border reality, ranch life, public-private cooperation, veterinary experience, and the people working to protect South Texas. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

In Episode 4 of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with longtime friend Jerry Johnson, the founder of Texas Trophy Hunters and one of the original pioneers who helped shape modern hunting culture in Texas. Jerry’s story is more than just the story of an organization. It is the story of how Texas deer hunting changed from a simple meat hunt into a culture built around land stewardship, trophy whitetails, hunting shows, deer contests, ranch management, and the people who made it all happen. In this conversation, Jerry shares stories from the early days of Texas Trophy Hunters, old South Texas hunting contests, Mexico hunting adventures, road trips, hunting shows, friendships with legendary outdoorsmen, and the wild characters who helped build the Texas hunting world we know today. Mark and Jerry also talk about the rise of trophy hunting, the importance of privately owned land in Texas, the early hunting media scene, the old deer contest culture, and why preserving these stories matters before they are lost to time. This episode is full of laughs, history, and real Texas campfire storytelling. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation with one of the men who helped create the Texas hunting culture we know today. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.