The Lost Rider Podcast with Herman Brune

The GOP candidate for HD85 joins us to discuss the Austin Swamp. With the odds, being $2M in lobbyist money, stacked against him, Dennis "Goose" Geeseman unseated the two-term incumbent with a landslide 15-point win. Geeseman knows he's bucking the Austin establishment and jokes that he'll get an office in the basement at the end of the hall. He only hopes that he gets put on a committee. In this interview we discuss the Austin machine losing Public Trust, who he prefers as the Speaker of the House, the push to eliminate property taxes, term limits, elected positions on the LCRA Board, possible selenium problems at the LCRA power plant, and knowing when to say "NO" to budget items. 

Martha Spencer's first career choice was broadcast media. She worked her way up through the ranks to becoming the meteorologist at the ABC affiliate in New Orleans. However, she decided to change careers. Cajun Adventures suited her better and she became an offshore deep-water fishing guide. She loves the deep-water but ultimately moved to guiding the bays along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Much of her interview is about how to fish, know the moon phases, and watching tides. She also discusses the variables of bay guiding versus off shore guiding. Martha says deep water guiding is a young person's business. There are less days to guide, a smaller profit margin, and it's harder on you physically. Nevertheless, it's obvious she still likes the big water as she says that on a good day a person can sneak from the bays to fish a little offshore.

Michael Scherer is a catalyst for Fishing's Future. It is a program that is active in 18 states with more than 35,000 participants. One of the largest groups is in Katy ISD with more than 14,000 students and their families. Scherer explains that it's all about getting families into the outdoors. He also says that they have the capabilities to accommodate anyone despite situations or handicaps. Scherer says they teach how to find, catch and cook fish. There are four tips: 1. Learn the fish 2. Cast where the fish are 3. Know before you go (regulations and keeping a journal of knowledge) 4. If you don't know let it go - It's all about making and saving memories.   One last bit of policy is the 3R's: Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate. Scherer says that fishing them is not a "one and done" deal. Fishing's Future takes families fishing multiple times. 

Cole Payne is the new president of the Texas Brigades. These are the summer youth camps based on the academic teachings of wildlife conservation. Some of the themes are Coastal Brigades, Bobwhite Brigades, Buckskin Brigades, Water Fowl Brigades, Bass Brigades, etc. Payne came up through the ranks as a student and volunteer. The week-long schedules include as many class room studies as they do outdoor activities. It's a hands-on experience and each venue boasts experts explaining and showing the high school aged youngsters the values of managing habitat, as well as, familiarizing them more with the biology of various species. The camps are geared towards giving a leg up to students that may select a career in the outdoors. 

Russell Stacey is the new Executive Director of the Dallas Safari Club (DSC). He came up through the ranks of volunteers and has served as the president of the Dallas Safari Club Foundation. Stacey relates that while DSC is all about conservation, the Foundation is committed to education. Also, DSC has added another event to their annual offerings. The DSC Summer Expo and Foundation Gala will be at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, in Grapevine, Texas. It provides a family-oriented outing with vendors, conservation seminars, and the usual waterpark and experience of staying at the Gaylord Hotel. 

Matt Rice is the spokesman for the organization American Rivers. Rice's expertise concerns problems in the American West with the Colorado River that most U.S. citizens recognize. Meanwhile, American Rivers is coming to Texas, and Rice is interested in learning more about the Texas, Colorado River. Brune elaborates the loss of agriculture, and wildlife habitat as the Texas, Colorado River no longer supplies irrigation water to the Lower Colorado River Valley. The two talk about the easily confused topics as Rice explains that the western Colorado River also loses water for agriculture and wildlife as mandates sent water to the east side of the Continental Divide for Denver and Ft. Collins. 

James Bigley is an international ranch realtor based in New Braunfels, Texas. He operates in all 50 U.S. states, as well as, Mexico and South Africa. Bigley's concern is that he brokers large acreages to first time ranch owners who must learn conservation, land, water, and wildlife stewardship. Along with the basic tenants of rangeland management, Bigley knows that it's necessary to understand the legalities involved in the social, economic, and literal weather climates in which he operates. He helps clients gain the conservation knowledge needed for the properties they acquire.

Challenger to the HD85 state representative seat is Lt. Col. Dennis Geesaman. He says that the days of bipartisanship, as seen with George W. Bush and Bob Bullock, are gone. Geesaman feels that the Democrat left has moved so far that compromise is all but gone. He agrees that the MO of school funding should be removed from property taxes, and the homestead tax needs to be eliminated for everyone. Otherwise, the American Dream will not be available to the next generations. He recognizes that new ideas are in place to check the declining rates of education, and he relates that while he would be a freshman legislator, he desires to seek seats on agriculture related committees. One of his quotes indicates that the seemingly bloated budget is caused by spending problems. 

The Texas 2026 March primary season is heating up. But, State Representative Stan Kitzman is adamant that Austin is not Washington D. C. While many issues are decided down party lines, Kitzman says that without bipartisanship amendments and many issues high on constituents' radar would not be resolved. He also goes on to relate that "water issues" are looming larger than ever on the horizon. It is probable that precedents, such as the rule of capture, will be discussed in the next session. He also says that the burgeoning budget is due to the ever-growing population. Kitzman assures us that removing the MO school funding will provide more property tax relief while efforts are in place to "raise the bar" on public education. 

Chris Hall explains "fusion". It started, in the 1980's, with President Reagan and Premier Gorbachev at the end of the Cold War. in 2026, scientists feel that they may be within eight or nine years of producing cost effective energy from fusion. Nevertheless, don't expect to see it generating electricity until after 2039. When you hear the term think about hydrogen. Also, Hall injects the idea that what we've always known about solids, liquids, and gases didn't include plasma. Now, we're talking about lightening and fire. That's what scientists are striving to harness. Checkout Inter.org for more info. 

Chester Moore tells listeners about the Wild Sheep Foundation from their January show in Reno, Nevada. Moore is the executive managing editor of Texas Fish and Game magazine, as well as, a documentary producer for the Wild Sheep Foundation. Currently, he's filming and finding the answers to "how much money is raised for wild sheep conservation", and "what is the status of wild sheep populations". Moore currently has a produced documentary about Great White Sharks off the Texas Gulf Coast.   

The Executive Director of the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas State Veterinarian, Dr, Dinges, visits with us about the screwworm invasion moving upwards from Panama through Mexico. There were more than 13,000 cases of screwworms infecting animals in Mexico with 492 cases considered active, and 110 cases in people. Once again, eradication efforts are in motion. Sterilization facilities are being reactivated. The closest cases were reported within 70 miles of the Texas/Mexico border. However, those cases were traced to movement of livestock within Mexico. As such movement is coming under tighter regulation no more cases have been noticed within that close proximity of the border. Nevertheless, that does not account for wildlife. Hopefully, cooler weather will slow the northerly movement as the USDA and Sec. Rollin is instrumental in bringing sterilization facilities on line.   

Another candidate for the Texas Rail Road Commission is Hawk Dunlap. He has no hard feelings towards current commissioners but feels it's time to fix a few problems. Dunlap explains more about abandoned wells and how reinjection wells may effect groundwater. He says that not all reinjection wells are 10,000 feet or deeper. His view is to awaken the public to the technology available to recycle industrial water. This is a widely accepted concept amongst water planners, engineers, and scientists. It is not so fondly viewed  by the public that has become totally acclimated to their own personal "toilet to tap" water usage; but can't seem to accept that idea for industrial recycling. 

The Texas Rail Road Commission's main job is permitting drilling and pipelines in the oil patch. This election cycle a host of challengers are vying for Jim Wright's seat on the commission. One point of contention that  draws attention is also the permitting of "flares". This is when excess natural gas is burned because there is no place for storage. Candidate James Matlock discusses this conundrum, as well as, defines "orphan wells"  and the problem with continually putting frack water down reinjection wells.  

Social Media director, Justin Morissey, for the National Shooting Sports Foundation gives us a preview of the upcoming 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. It is the hunting and shooting industry's trade show. It is an international show expecting more than 50,000 people and 2800 vendors. The booths cover approximately 18 acres with in the Venetian, Palazio, and Caesar's conference and exhibition space. Morrisey also elaborates on the NSSF's involvement in wildlife conservation, as well as, the foundation's programs such as the  "Child Safe Program".    #shotshow2026 #hunting #outdoors #ShootingSports

In an effort to untangle a hairball of information, Brune goes back for another interview with Nueces River Authority  Executive Director John Byrum. While folks are satisfied that the discharge from a seawater desal plant will go offshore into deep water, they're not as happy about brackish aquifer desal plants putting the discharge back into creeks. The hairball starts when CCA's Shane Bonnet says that the runoff would be too "fresh" for Baffin Bay. Guides in  that area fear that the runoff would be too salty. Which is correct? Cpt. Jay Nichols points out areas of dead sea grass. Ex. Dir. Byrum tells us that nitrogen and other nutrients are harming the bay. However, there are efforts to rectify those problems and in other interviews researchers from the Harte Research Institute at TAMU Corpus Christi have documents progress and improvement.   

The Charley Russel Museum is in Great Falls, Montana. Once a year the Western Art community gathers for an extended weekend to celebrate with "paintings in the park", a buffet and auction Friday night, and a banquet and auction Saturday night that includes pieces from eras gone by. The last evening is when nationwide museums and collectors gather to bid on selected pieces of Charley Russel artwork. In this interview Brune visits with the museum executive director. 

The Coastal Conservation Assn. position on the discharge of desalination plants is to be in favor of deep water off shore discharge in the case of the Harbor Island seawater desal plant. As per the South Texas Water Authority's plans for a brackish aquifer desalination plant the CCA position is to use reinjection wells for the discharge. Brune interviews CCA Advocacy officer Shane Bonnet and asks, what happens when reinjection wells are no longer the answer? Are we ignoring current technology that eventually must be implemented? Will desalination bring relief to river systems and aquifers? 

Brune's commentary simplifies and seeks to make relative the geography and conservation interests that would benefit from seawater and brackish aquifer desalination. The technology to treat desalination plant's discharge is readily available and not new. Likewise, taking the pressure off freshwater aquifers, as well as, river systems is essential for municipalities, agriculture, wildlife, and the Texas Gulf Coast. Brune raises the question: Why aren't all the conservationists in Texas behind the desal projects, and why aren't they looking at such drainage basins as the lower Colorado River and standing at the state Capital with torches and pitchforks?   

Here's one of those instances when ol' Herman Willie doesn't have a guest to interview. Nevertheless, he's not short of topics. This week he's commiserating his fortune of a recent knee operation. It's a relatively new procedure that is touted as  being minimally invasive with quick recovery. But, no recovery time is quick enough to suit yours truly. Another topic is whether cell phones in the wilderness diminish the pure primal experience. Brune says they do. He says a person must be able to disconnect and reestablish life's priorities. 

Brune interviews Port of Corpus Christi Authority's Kent Britton. The discussion revolves around the largest planned seawater desalination plant in the U.S. They also talk about the amounts of oil and natural gas that are shipped out of Corpus Christi daily. One ship going to the Netherlands can power 1million homes in Europe for one month. Approximately one such ship leaves Corpus every day. The conversation also leans towards the future of desalination in South Texas. While frack water and desal discharge has historically been discarded down reinjection wells, there is  the strong likelihood that it will soon be treated and re-used as freshwater - and that this is congruent with the way major municipality's water is treated and recycled in the practice commonly known as "toilet to tap". 

In this insightful episode of The Lost Rider Podcast (and its broadcast version, News from the Camp House), host Herman Brune visits Texas A&M University to sit down with Dr. Ty Wardell, assistant professor in the Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Department. Wardell shares his fascinating journey from growing up in a ranching and rodeo family on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota to earning his Ph.D. at Kansas State University and ultimately joining the faculty at A&M. His path includes years on the professional rodeo circuit, studying bighorn sheep in the Black Hills, and researching carnivore dynamics on the Great Plains. The discussion explores the concept of Indigenous Knowledge — the accumulated wisdom of native peoples passed down through generations — and how it contributes to modern conservation and wildlife management. Wardell explains how traditional ecological perspectives can inform contemporary research, comparing a farmer’s lifelong understanding of his land to ancestral stewardship of native territories. In the second half, the conversation shifts to Wardell’s award-winning teaching methods, including his hands-on fox squirrel tracking project on the A&M campus. Students capture and collar squirrels to study their behavior and habitat use, gaining real-world wildlife research experience. Wardell also discusses his lab’s broader research across Texas — from studying axis and white-tailed deer interactions to the impact of the border wall on wildlife migration. The episode closes with reflections on mentorship, the importance of fieldwork, and the shared goal of cultivating a new generation of wildlife stewards and scientists. 🎙️ Key Themes: Indigenous ecological wisdom and modern science Wildlife field research and student engagement Conservation education at Texas A&M Bighorn sheep restoration and carnivore ecology The intersection of culture, land, and stewardship  

Brune visits with Texas Outdoor Partners President John Shepard. They discuss the past session of the Texas Legislature, the system in which TOP operates, and the possible reemerging of the Sportsman's Caucus in Texas. Another topic of discussion was the Texas Parks and Wildlife budget. 

Water questions is a commentary from Brune. It showcases that lifelong "conservationists" in state agencies have the answers to questions that plague concerned citizens and NGO's. There is nothing new about water process technologies. When discussing water desalination: Water treatment for super saturated saline discharges was practiced in Texas, in the 1980's, during the creation of the strategic oil reserves. Likewise, major municipalities enjoy the recycling commonly known as "toilet to tap". So - why is the public unaware of the technologies that sustain the modern lifestyle? Why don't the lifelong agency "conservationists" serve the needs of providing public information? Why must we suffer the teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling caused by either the lack of information, or by false information? Is the public relegated into woeful ignorance purposefully by state agencies? Why?

In a rare step away from environmental technology issues Brune interviews Darren Amundson. Amundson is the inventor of fishdonkey. It's an app that allows catch and release fishing tournaments without ever killing a fish and eliminates any chance to cheat the judges. The interview takes place at the Associated Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Conference in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 

Shane Mahoney joins us from Labrador, Newfoundland. He is the leading worldwide expert on the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. Shane clears up the history concerning the model, and brings to light the fact that the actual name wasn't devised until the early to mid 1990's. He agrees that the model existed in function prior to that time, and that the 1937 Wildlife Reclamation Act put teeth into the model with financial mechanisms - but the words/name "North American Wildlife Conservation Model" were not uttered until the 90's. He agrees that giving the model its name has made teaching its functions much more simple and digestible.      

To prove that The Lost Rider isn't a nerd stuck on environmental technology, we take a side-step and visit with two of our favorite gun writers. Brune met Sheriff Jim Wilson shortly after the first organized cowboy action club in Texas held their annual "Trailhead" event at the Brune Land & Cattle Co. Also, on today's broadcast is Shane Jahn. Both Wilson and Jahn live in Alpine, Texas. The bulk of their gun writing focuses on the old thumb busters and Winchester rifles. Today's interview is in the spirit of saying "howdy" to friends.         

  Brune interviews Texas State Farm Bureau Director Greg Buenger about screwworms. Many Texans don't savvy the damage caused by the possible infestation. Brune's own experience was treating calves and collecting larvae in 1967. It's a daily chore that turns into a career. The mechanisms to battle the scourge was dismantled when the '67 eradication program pushed the flies below Panama. However, Mexico stopped their program and screwworms have been reported within 70 miles of the Rio Grande. The U.S. government has sent U.S. dollars for Mexico to reinstitute their program and  facilities, and is building facilities in Texas. The concern is whether the fly sterilization labs are operable before Texas suffers an infestation. It would devastate the cattle industry, as well as, Texas wildlife. 

There is a brackish aquifer water desal plant planned for South Texas. The news about this topic went out before planning was complete. Directors are still addressing the public's concerns about managing the super-saline discharge, as well as, studying their options for management. Brune and STWA Director John Marez discuss the longstanding technology available to quell these concerns. Despite having waste water technology in place for decades the general public is woefully ignorant, as well as, distrusting. It will be the STWA's job to implement good practices, and to keep the public advised into perpetuity. Currently, freshwater to Kingsville comes from Corpus Christi. Corpus also gets water from Lake Texana, and that Lake may be supplemented by LCRA Colorado River water from Garwood, Texas. Marez believes desalinating the brackish aquifer water will cost the consumers less, and save freshwater for Texas.

August, 2000 - August 2025, twenty-five years reporting weekly on water issues, technology, the North American Wildlife Conservation Model, and finding answers to the questions that otherwise go unanswered.  Nueces River Authority Executive Director John Byrum details a few of the complexities of desalinating seawater. The project is slated to be on Harbor Island at Port Aransas. Byrum explains both how the intake and discharge are managed. Water process technologies are not new to Texas. Reclamation of minerals from super-saline concentrates may have been implemented at the 1984 Byan Mound Strategic Oil Reserve drilling, and we know that super-saline concentrates were discharged into the Gulf in 1988 at the Spring Hill Strategic Oil Reserve. In both instances there was no environmental impact. Byrum assures that the desal plant on Harbor Island may likewise have a deep-water diffused discharge with no environmental impact. There is also the likelihood that minerals may be reclaimed before the discharge further diffusing the saline content.  

Mrs. Rhonda Kennedy explains to listeners that the Port Mansfield Cut was opened by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1957. While Port Mansfield is no longer a sea-going port, the cut is instrumental to the health of the Lower Laguna Madre. It also allows access to the Gulf from Port Mansfield. Presently, the Cut is silting shut and the Army Corps of Engineers has no plans to continuing its dredging. The people in Port Mansfield are looking for more interested parties to help keep the Cut open. 

The Alamo: Brune interviews Lee Spencer White. Mrs, White was a key figure in stopping the Centotaph from being moved, as well as, certifying the history is not reimagined to suit a leftist agenda. The building and surrounding plaza are being restored and renovated. Mrs. White, the Descendents of the Alamo, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Sons of the Republic of Texas played essential roles in making the public aware and working with the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas General Land Office to secure the integrity of Texas History. Former GLO Commissioner Jerry Patterson became the first custodian of the landmark when the responsibility was moved from the DRT to the GLO. The next commissioner, George P. Bush, did not prove to be a worthy caretaker and this may have contributed to his losing his next election. Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is the current administrator and is following the footsteps of Patterson.   

Florida WIld Woman and wildlife biologist Christina Wilson and native Floridian Charlotte Hartley, Florida Man Official Merchandise Owner, Artist, and Pinup Model talk about wrangling snakes, developing a pinup community with a Florida twist, and using social media for brand development.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

The Dallas Safari Club is active in promoting and advocating the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. In this interview Brune and Executive Director Corey Mason discuss DSC's involvement with the Texas Outdoor Writers Assn.'s Youth Writing Awards, the wildlife conservation model, and also the ongoing efforts to squelch anti-hunting and anti-conservation movements internationally. This interview helps to illustrate how leftist agendas in the form of Cash Cow Controversies take money from well-meaning contributors and use it in ways that negatively impact wildlife conservation. 

Chris Geib, CDO of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation talks about Great Loop Challenge, a fundraising event supporting the The Sunshine Project, which unites over 20 U.S. cancer centers and rapidly advances treatment trials for children with cancer.   Captain Red Flowers talks about smashing the world record for completing the Great Loop Challenge, a continuous loop around the entire eastern U.S. waterway circuit in order to fundraise this important research.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/  

Alpine based, Froylan Hernandez, the Desert Bighorn Sheep Program Leader for Texas Parks & Wildlife, talks about being charged with the restoration and management of the desert bighorn population in Texas in the face of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi)

Brune talks about BS (Blue Sky) Salesman. Whether its Climate Change, Covid, or the anti-hunting and anti-gun crowd the world is full of BS (Blue Sky) Salesman. In a hilarious turn of events there is now a left-wing media platform akin to Twitter or X that calls itself Blue Sky. ~ You can't make this stuff up. 

Blast from the Past: In light of DOGE cracking down on fraud and the abuse of tax dollars: Here is an older radio show pointing out how the CDC ran out of its lane into the gun control debate/movement. It was done in the name of public health. Should the CDC spend tax money on such studies, or is it an example of an every-growing bloated bureaucracy?   

Rebecca Jones, outdoor advocate on the Board of Directors for DSF, Texas Wildlife Association and HerUpLand discusses using her professional business experience to help these organizations grow.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

Gray Thornton President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation, and formerly with SCI and DSC, discusses involving the public in wildlife conservation.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

El Campo based Chad Waligura, Owner of Able Outdoors, outdoor journalist, and C7 quadriplegic, discusses fabricating equipment so that folks with spinal injuries may continue to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

Jason Paul, Owner of family run company Stinky Pants Fishing, talks about the successful pursuit of making a better stringer and getting into Bass Pro Shop.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

Lance Stancik is Owner and Operator of Pintail Hunting Club in Garwood, Texas, home of the Waterfowl Brigades youth camp, speaks to the changing nature of waterfowl hunting on the Texas Gulf Coast.   Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

Chef Josh Schwencke Owner and Operator of Gastronomy out of San Antonio and Executive Chef of Big Sheep Foundation and WomenHunt talks about wild game cooking, Gastronomy Live events, and teaching people how to cook wild game.  Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/  

Brandt MacDuff, Brooklyn based author and advocate for the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, speaks on his endeavors to teach urban americans the nuts and bolts of wildlife conservation.

Brune sits down with Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham.  The commissioner proceeds to outline the duties of the GLO as the state's steward of oil and gas leases, veteran's care and services, the restoration and historical conservation of the Alamo and surrounding plaza, managing the state's deed archives, and more. The GLO is one of numerous Texas state agencies with conservation programs.

Continuing the interview with Chris Parish, CEO and Executive Director of the Peregrine Fund speaks about the Aplomado Falcon, habitat reclamation in South Texas, and helping land owners continue agriculturally while also sustaining habitats for wildlife. Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

Dr. Mary Bowden gives her rendition of treating people during the COVID Pandemic and the roadblocks instituted against her by the Biden Administration, Houston Methodist Hospital, and The Texas Medical Board. Most recently Dr. Bowden won/settled her lawsuit limiting the FDA as per that agencies' job description. Dr. Bowden is an advocate for hydroxychloroquine, monoclinal antibodies, and Ivermectin. She also points out the growing number of victims suffering side effects from the unproven COVID shots. More of her testimony may be found in the book Volume 2 of "Canary in a Post-COVID-19 World".

Chris Parish, CEO and Executive Director of the Peregrine Fund speaks to the success of hunter participation in decade long studies on lead bullets. Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/

New Executive Director Allie Biedenharn for Texas Brigades youth conservation academic camps explains purpose and direction of teaching youth in the outdoors. Check us out on our hub at https://www.thelostriderpodcast.com/