The Texas Campfire

Mark Hubbard
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Society & Culture

This podcast shares the stories of Texas ranchers, landowners, cowboys, hunters, wildlife managers, and the people who live and work on the land. From ranching traditions and family history to wild hunting stories and life lessons from the dirt, every episode is rooted in a love for Texas and the ranching lifestyle. Pull up a chair, subscribe, and join us around the campfire. Life is always better when you have dirt under your feet.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    He Didn’t Have a Backup Plan, Just Faith | Rob Morrison

    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.

  2. Jul 20

    The 95-Year-Old Texas Woman Who Still Hunts | Laura Berry

    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.

  3. Jul 13

    The Hunt That Almost Killed Him | E.J. Varos

    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.

  4. Jul 6

    The Ranching History Most Texans Never Hear | Mike East

    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.

  5. Jun 29

    Life on the Front Lines of the Texas Border | Dr. Mike Vickers

    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.

  6. Jun 22

    How He Turned Texas Deer Hunting Into a Movement | Jerry Johnston

    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.

  7. Jun 15

    The New World Screwworm Threat Texas Can't Ignore | Dr. Mickey Hellickson

    In Episode 3 of the Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down with Dr. Mickey Hellickson for a timely conversation about one of the biggest concerns facing Texas ranchers and wildlife managers today: the return of the New World screwworm. Dr. Hellickson shares insight into the history of screwworm eradication in Texas, including the role Governor Dolph Briscoe played in pushing the state to take action. From sterile fly drops to the hard work of ranchers checking and doctoring livestock in the pasture, this episode looks back at what it took to fight screwworms before and what Texas may need to do now. The conversation also dives into wildlife management, ranching, field trials, captive deer herds, and why fast action matters when the land, livestock, and wildlife are at risk. If you care about Texas ranching, wildlife, land stewardship, or the future of rural Texas, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Subscribe to the Texas Campfire Podcast for more conversations with the ranchers, landowners, wildlife experts, and boots-on-the-ground people who help tell the story of Texas. Life is always better when you have dirt under your feet.

  8. Jun 8

    He Wrote The Book on Texas Deer Management | Al Brothers

    In Episode 2 of The Texas Campfire Podcast, Mark Hubbard sits down in Berclair, Texas with Mr. Al Brothers, a true legend in Texas wildlife and deer management. When people say someone “wrote the book” on a subject, most of the time it’s just a figure of speech. But in this case, Al Brothers quite literally wrote the book on deer management. As one of the original voices who helped shape modern wildlife management in South Texas, Mr. Brothers brings decades of firsthand experience, stories, and hard-earned wisdom to the table. This episode takes you back to the early days of Texas deer management, from aerial surveys in fixed-wing planes and helicopters, to the first high fences, old game warden stories, poaching problems, screw worm eradication, predator control, cattle, range management, land fragmentation, and the future of hunting in Texas. But more than anything, this conversation is about preserving knowledge before it’s lost to time. Mr. Brothers shares stories from Texas A&M, the old Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, the Zachry Ranches, South Texas brush country, early wildlife research, deer population studies, and the changes he has seen across Texas ranching over a lifetime spent on the land. If you care about Texas, hunting, wildlife, ranching, conservation, or the stories of the people who helped build the foundation for modern land stewardship, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Pull up a chair and join us around the fire. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

  9. Jun 1

    From South Texas Dirt to Silver Horn Ranch | Ben Schmidtke

    Welcome to the very first episode of the Texas Campfire Podcast. Host Mark Hubbard sits down with longtime friend Ben Schmidke of Silver Horn Ranch near Freer, Texas, for a conversation rooted in South Texas ranching, wildlife management, and the lessons that come from a life spent on the land. Ben shares how growing up on a pecan farm and ranch in Pearsall shaped his passion for wildlife, hunting, land stewardship, and ranch life. From whitetail deer management and DMP pens to exotic species conservation, water systems, predator control, habitat work, cattle, quail, and raising kids on a ranch, this episode gives listeners a true look into what it takes to manage a modern Texas ranch the right way. This conversation is about more than hunting or ranching. It’s about legacy, responsibility, conservation, and preserving the knowledge and stories that make Texas so special. So pull up a chair, gather around the fire, and join us for the first episode of the Texas Campfire Podcast. Life is always better when there’s dirt under your feet.

  10. May 29

    What is the Texas Campfire Podcast?

    Hosted by Mark Hubbard, a South Texas ranch broker with deep roots in the ranching world, this podcast is all about the land, the people, the stories, and the lifestyle that make Texas unlike anywhere else. Mark grew up with red dirt under his feet in Deep South Texas, surrounded by ranching, wildlife, and the values that come from life on the land. After years of building a career in ranch real estate and traveling across private ranches from the Red River to the Rio Grande, from the Piney Woods to El Paso, he has seen firsthand the beauty, history, and hard work behind Texas ranch life. On this podcast, Mark will sit down with landowners, ranchers, cowboys, ranch foremen, wildlife managers, hunters, outdoorsmen, and everyday people who carry the stories of Texas on their backs. You’ll hear about family histories, failures, success stories, wild hunting memories, ranching traditions, and the boots-on-the-ground work that keeps this way of life alive. Some stories will be inspiring. Some will be hilarious. Some might be hard to believe. But every one of them will be rooted in a love for Texas, ranching, wildlife, and the people who make it all possible. So pull up a chair, gather around, and join us at the Texas Campfire Podcast. Life is always better when you have dirt under your feet. Subscribe for new episodes and stories from across the great state of Texas.

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This podcast shares the stories of Texas ranchers, landowners, cowboys, hunters, wildlife managers, and the people who live and work on the land. From ranching traditions and family history to wild hunting stories and life lessons from the dirt, every episode is rooted in a love for Texas and the ranching lifestyle. Pull up a chair, subscribe, and join us around the campfire. Life is always better when you have dirt under your feet.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Hubbard
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Texas Campfire
  • Show Website
    The Texas Campfire

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