Charles and Heather Maude never expected a fence line to upend their lives. As fifth-generation ranchers in western South Dakota, their days were shaped by weather, livestock, and the quiet continuity generational land stewardship.
In our talk they trace their roots in agriculture, from childhood chores and community work to building a ranching life together, grounded in stewardship and an assumed responsibility to be their neighbors and land.
But, then a long-running boundary fence issue with the U.S. Forest Service got outta hand. What starts as meetings and paperwork spirals into a federal criminal indictment. Charles and Heather recount the confusion of navigating federal land rules, the shock of facing criminal charges over what they believed was a civil matter, and the moment they realized this issue could upend their lives.
In this conversation we walk through their fight to clear their names, detailing the emotional, financial, and personal cost of being pulled into the federal justice system. From Washington, D.C. to the eventual dismissal of the case, the Maudes reflect on what the experience taught them about power, land rights, and vulnerability for ranchers operating near public land.
Their story is not just about what happened to them, but about what could happen to anyone living and working at the edge of federal authority.
Connect with Charles & Heather
Maude Hog & Cattle Co.
Western South Dakota
Website - https://www.maudehogandcattle.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maudehogcattle
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/maudehogs/
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