Landowner Insider

Texas wildlife is facing more pressure than ever—from disease outbreaks to changing land ownership and management challenges across the state. In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with veteran wildlife biologist Macy Ledbetter to break down the biggest challenges impacting Texas landowners, hunters, and wildlife managers right now. While New World Screwworm has recently been confirmed in Texas, this conversation goes much deeper—covering the broader landscape of wildlife health, disease, and land management across the state. You'll hear: - What the recent screwworm case means in the bigger picture - Why fawning season adds additional pressure to wildlife populations - The latest on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Texas - What landowners need to know about EHD and anthrax - How wildlife diseases are impacting deer, livestock, and native species - The effects of habitat fragmentation and changing land ownership - The future of high-fence ranching and exotic game management With more than 30 years of experience, Macy shares practical insights from working with hundreds of Texas ranches and landowners. This episode offers a clear, grounded perspective on the challenges shaping the future of Texas wildlife and land stewardship. If you own land, manage wildlife, hunt, or ranch in Texas, this is a conversation worth paying attention to. Follow Landowner Insider for more conversations about Texas land, wildlife, water, and the future of the state.

In the 1950s-1960 Screwworms killed 80% of whitetail deer in Texas. New World Screwworms have now been confirmed in Texas again, and the threat to our wildlife and livestock is real. In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with leading wildlife biologist Macy Ledbetter of Spring Creek Outdoors, LLC to break down what the return of New World screwworm means specifically for Texas wildlife. Just days after the first confirmed case in a calf in Zavala County, Kasey and Macy dive into the realities of how screwworm impacts deer, exotics, and free-ranging wildlife populations—and why this may present a greater long-term risk than many landowners realize. This is a timely, focused conversation pulled directly from a longer 2.5-hour interview to bring you the most relevant and urgent information without delay. In this episode, you'll hear: - What the confirmed screwworm case in South Texas means right now - Why wildlife presents a unique challenge compared to livestock - How screwworm spreads and why early awareness matters - What landowners and wildlife managers should be watching for - The broader implications for Texas land, hunting, and management If you own land, manage wildlife, or operate in agriculture, this is a conversation you need to be paying attention to. For additional context on the livestock side of screwworm, go back and listen to our recent episode "The New World Screwworm Threat with Texas Animal Health Commission," from April 6th, 2026. with Dr. T.R. Lansford of the Texas Animal Health Commission. The full 2.5-hour conversation with Macy Ledbetter, including discussions on CWD, EHD, anthrax, and more, will be released next week. Follow Landowner Insider for more conversations covering the issues shaping Texas land, wildlife, and agriculture.

The cowboy who almost lost the family ranch is a true story that will inspire you and change the way you do ranching. In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with longtime friend Rusty Phillips for a conversation that is equal parts humorous, gritty, and deeply personal. Rusty shares what it was really like cowboying across Arizona, Montana, and New Mexico, from sleeping in freezing boxcars and living out of a bedroll to working cattle on horseback across large western ranches. Beneath the stories is a deeper theme that runs throughout the conversation: legacy. After losing two generations of family leadership in a short period of time, Rusty and his family faced significant estate tax pressure that forced them to sell part of their Texas family ranch in order to hold onto the rest. In this episode, they also discuss how Kasey and Rusty first met, stories from remote ranches near the Mexican border, why cowboy culture still matters today, and the realities of family ranch succession. They cover how past market cycles, including 2008 and rising interest rates, have impacted land ownership, along with why ranch life is often misunderstood by those outside of it. Kasey and Rusty also share lighter moments from calving camp and life on the wagon, while reflecting on how perspectives around wealth and ownership change over time. If you are interested in Texas ranches, cowboy culture, western storytelling, land ownership, or meaningful conversations about legacy and stewardship, this episode offers a unique and honest perspective. Follow Landowner Insider for more conversations about Texas land, ranching, wildlife, water, legacy, and the future of the American West.

Texas land is changing quickly. Ranches are getting smaller, development pressure is increasing, and landowners are being asked to balance conservation, production, recreation, and long-term stewardship in new ways. In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Shane Kiefer, CEO of Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, to discuss what the future of Texas land management looks like and how landowners can adapt. This conversation goes beyond traditional wildlife tax valuations and explores how land stewardship has evolved across the state. Kasey and Shane discuss the growing demand for comprehensive land management, the challenges of smaller properties, and the pressures created by development and population growth. They also cover how landowners are approaching habitat management, grazing, invasive species control, and long-term planning, along with the role private land plays in supporting wildlife across Texas. Kasey and Shane provide practical, experience-based insight into what it takes to manage land effectively in today's environment. If you own land or are considering it, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how Texas land is changing and what it means for long-term ownership and stewardship. https://plateauwildlife.com/

Most landowners don't fully realize what they've signed up for after buying a ranch. It's not just ownership. It's ongoing oversight, management, and responsibility. When a property sits unattended, small issues can quickly turn into expensive problems. In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Adam Greene of Rafter Land and Ranch Solutions to break down what actually happens when land is left without consistent management. From water systems and livestock to fencing, roads, and general maintenance, they walk through the real challenges landowners face when no one is regularly on the property. This conversation also explores why hiring a single ranch hand often falls short, what effective management looks like behind the scenes, and how many landowners end up trading time and energy for frustration instead of the freedom they expected. In this episode, we cover common mistakes landowners make after purchasing a ranch, how lack of visibility leads to compounding issues, the role of infrastructure in maintaining property value, and what it takes to protect and manage a long-term land investment. Kasey and Adam share practical, experience-driven insight into what it really takes to maintain and protect a ranch over time. If you own land, or are considering buying it, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of the responsibilities that come with it and how to approach ownership more effectively.