Through the Gates

The fight to protect hunting, fishing, and science-based wildlife management is bigger than any one state. From Colorado and Arizona to New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and beyond, sportsmen and women are facing growing political, legal, and ballot-box challenges that could reshape the future of wildlife conservation across the American West.

In this episode of Through the Gates: Save the Hunt, host Dan Gates sits down with Chuck Podolak, president of Conserve and Protect Arizona, to discuss the lessons learned from Arizona's wildlife policy battles, the growing importance of state-to-state cooperation, and what the hunting and conservation community must do to prepare for the next fight.

Chuck explains why Conserve and Protect Arizona was formed, how it works alongside established wildlife conservation organizations, and why a dedicated political organization can play a critical role in defending hunting and responsible wildlife management. Drawing on Colorado's Proposition 127 campaign and Arizona's fight over hound hunting, Dan and Chuck examine what happens when conservation organizations, hunters, anglers, trappers, falconers, and other sportsmen unite around a common purpose.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the political battles over hunting and wildlife management are spreading across Western states.
• The role of Conserve and Protect Arizona in defending hunting and science-based wildlife management.
• Lessons from Arizona's historical ballot fights over public-land trapping and efforts to restrict hound hunting.
• How Colorado's Amendment 71 changed the requirements for constitutional ballot initiatives.
• Why hunters and conservation organizations must work together instead of becoming divided by individual interests.
• The difference between broad conservation coalitions and dedicated political advocacy organizations.
• Why relying entirely on volunteers may no longer be enough to defend hunting rights.
• How sportsmen can communicate with non-hunters, urban voters, and the general public.
• The importance of proactive public outreach before the next ballot initiative or legislative fight.
• The challenges of competing with well-funded animal-rights organizations and litigation-driven advocacy.
• Why hunting and fishing revenue matters to wildlife management and conservation funding.
• How wildlife agencies can help communicate the value of wildlife conservation to the public.
• Why Western states need stronger networks for sharing resources, funding, expertise, and political support.
• The long-term challenge of protecting hunting traditions as Western populations become increasingly urban.

Dan and Chuck also discuss the importance of maintaining a unified message, preparing before a threat becomes urgent, and building relationships that allow sportsmen and women in one state to support their counterparts in another.

The central question: How can the hunting and conservation community build the relationships, public support, funding, and political infrastructure necessary to protect the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation for future generations?

This conversation is especially relevant to hunters, anglers, trappers, wildlife managers, conservation advocates, and anyone interested in the future of public-land hunting, wildlife policy, and responsible wildlife management.

What happens when the fight to protect hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation moves from the field to the political arena?

On this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Cable Smith, host of the Lone Star Outdoor Show, for an in-depth conversation about the future of hunting, science-based wildlife management, public lands, predator hunting, and the growing political challenges facing sportsmen across America.

Cable shares how he went from a radio broadcasting graduate with a passion for bass fishing and duck hunting to building one of the longest-running outdoor media platforms in the country. With more than 800 weekly episodes, decades of hunting experience, and a growing role in conservation advocacy, Cable has seen firsthand how the outdoor industry has changed—and why hunters can no longer afford to ignore wildlife politics.

The conversation explores the lessons Colorado's Proposition 127 fight holds for other states, why public lands matter even in states dominated by private property, and how hunting traditions connect families and communities across generations.

Dan and Cable also discuss chronic wasting disease (CWD), mountain lion and bear hunting with hounds, wildlife commissions and political decision-making, the funding behind North American wildlife conservation, and the importance of protecting the right to hunt and fish for future generations.

With Colorado's Amendment 83 on the ballot, this conversation takes on added significance. Dan explains how a constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish could help protect Colorado's outdoor heritage while preserving wildlife management authority and science-based conservation.

Whether you're a lifelong hunter, an angler, a public-land advocate, or someone who cares about the future of America's wildlife, this episode connects the dots between hunting, conservation, politics, and the responsibility to pass our outdoor traditions on to the next generation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Cable Smith's journey building the Lone Star Outdoor Show
• Why hunters must get involved in conservation politics
• Lessons from Colorado's fight against Proposition 127
• Public lands, private land hunting, and access for future generations
• The traditions and family connections built around deer and elk camp
• Backcountry elk hunting and the rewards of DIY hunts
• Mountain lion hunting, houndsmen, and ethical decision-making
• Chronic wasting disease and wildlife management controversies
• Texas wildlife policy and the role of state wildlife agencies
• Why science should guide wildlife commissions
• The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and conservation funding
• Colorado's constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish and Amendment 83
• Why apathy is not an option for hunters and conservationists

What happens when our idea of perfect, untouched nature conflicts with the realities of wildlife conservation?

On this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Trinity Vandenacre of Life in the West for an in-depth conversation about hunting, wildlife management, predators, ranching, conservation, and the misconceptions shaping public opinion across the American West.

Trinity challenges what he calls the “pristine myth”—the belief that nature was once perfectly balanced and would return to that ideal if humans simply stepped away. Drawing on his experience in the Western way of life, he discusses why wildlife management is more complicated than many people realize, why historical comparisons can be misleading, and why responsible human involvement matters to the future of wildlife.

The conversation explores the role of regulated hunting in maintaining wildlife populations, the debate over wolves and other apex predators, Colorado’s growing human population, forest management, wildfire, habitat, and the challenges of communicating conservation to people outside the hunting and ranching communities.

Dan also opens the episode with an update on Colorado Amendment 83 and the constitutional right to hunt and fish, discussing traditional methods, existing hunting restrictions, the role of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and the importance of science-based wildlife management.

Whether you're a hunter, angler, rancher, wildlife enthusiast, or someone who simply wants to understand how conservation works, this conversation examines the difficult questions facing wildlife and the future of the American West.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Colorado Amendment 83 and the constitutional right to hunt and fish
• What “traditional methods” means in the debate over hunting and fishing rights
• Trinity Vandenacre’s journey into Western lifestyle and conservation content
• The “pristine myth” and the idea of untouched, perfectly balanced nature
• Why regulated hunting is a wildlife management tool
• Wolves, elk, moose, beavers, and the complexities of predator-prey relationships
• Yellowstone and why its wildlife management experience may not translate directly to Colorado
• Hunting, wildlife abundance, and the funding of conservation
• Ranching, public lands, forest management, and wildfire
• How social media shapes public perceptions of hunting and conservation
• Why conservation requires looking forward instead of trying to recreate an idealized past

FOLLOW TRINITY VANENACRE
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SUPPORT CONSERVATION AND THE FUTURE OF HUNTING
Learn more about the effort to protect hunting and fishing in Colorado:
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If you care about wildlife, conservation, hunting, fishing, and the future of the American West, help us spread the conversation.

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Colorado is at the center of some of the biggest battles over hunting, wildlife conservation, government policy and the future of the West.

In this extended episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with two guests who approach those issues from very different positions — but ultimately arrive at many of the same questions about leadership, government, conservation and the future of Colorado.

First, Chris Tymeson, Vice President of Government Affairs for Safari Club International (SCI), joins Dan to discuss the growing national and international fight over hunting and wildlife management.

Tymeson spent 22 years as the chief attorney for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks before moving to SCI, giving him a unique perspective on wildlife management from both the government and advocacy sides.

The conversation covers why Chris believes Colorado has become “ground zero” for the anti-hunting movement, the growing threat of ballot-box biology, wildlife commission appointments, predator management, firearms legislation, ammunition restrictions, trophy-import bans and the importance of sportsmen's coalitions.

Chris and Dan also discuss Colorado’s proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish, Kansas' experience establishing a constitutional right to hunt, fish and trap, and why protecting hunting and fishing at the constitutional level could become increasingly important as political pressure on wildlife management grows.

The conversation also goes far beyond Colorado. Chris explains SCI's work around the world, including international hunting, African wildlife conservation, trophy-import restrictions and the consequences that can occur when outside political interests attempt to dictate how other countries manage their own wildlife.

Then, after the sponsor break, Dan sits down with Kevin Grantham, former Colorado Senate President, former member of the Joint Budget Committee and current Fremont County Commissioner, who is running for Colorado State Treasurer.

Grantham discusses the Colorado state budget, government spending, TABOR, the role of the State Treasurer, the state's investment portfolio, PERA, unclaimed property and what he sees as the biggest problems facing Colorado's fiscal future.

The conversation also explores the changing political landscape of Colorado, the urban-rural divide, population growth, changing demographics, the relationship between state government and rural Colorado, and whether Colorado needs greater political balance.

For hunters, anglers and conservationists, this episode also offers an important reminder: wildlife conservation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Wildlife management, public lands, natural resources, hunting and fishing are all influenced by politics, elections, legislation, commissions and the people who occupy positions of authority.

From the national fight to protect hunting to the political and financial decisions shaping Colorado, this is a wide-ranging conversation about who controls the future of Colorado — and what happens when politics collides with conservation.

ABOUT THROUGH THE GATES

Through the Gates brings together wildlife professionals, hunters, anglers, conservationists, politicians, biologists, attorneys and policymakers to examine the issues affecting the future of wildlife and the outdoor heritage of the West.

#ThroughTheGates #ChrisTymeson #KevinGrantham #SafariClubInternational #Colorado #ColoradoHunting #WildlifeConservation #Hunting #Fishing #WildlifeManagement #RightToHunt #Conservation #ColoradoPolitics #TABOR #SaveTheHunt

What does it really mean to be a hunter? Is it about filling a tag, harvesting a trophy, or everything that happens along the way?

On this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Jordan Budd, a Nebraska-based hunter, guide, filmmaker, and outdoor storyteller known for her work with MeatEater and Rockslide. Raised on her family's third-generation cattle ranch in northwest Nebraska, Jordan developed a passion for hunting, archery, and filming at an early age. Today, she has built a career around guiding hunters, pursuing big game across the West, producing outdoor films, and helping tell the story of hunting and conservation. Dan and Jordan explore the changing culture of hunting, the pressure to harvest, and the influence of social media and outdoor television on hunters' expectations. Jordan shares why some of her most meaningful hunting experiences have had nothing to do with whether she filled a tag, and why showing the realities of an unsuccessful hunt can be just as important as documenting a successful one. The conversation also takes a deeper look at the challenges facing today's hunters, including declining hunting opportunities, increasing difficulty drawing tags, wildlife habitat conservation, and the role of science-based wildlife management. Jordan discusses her family's ranching legacy, changes in Nebraska's mule deer and whitetail populations, the impacts of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), and the growing presence of elk. Dan and Jordan also discuss the importance of hunting ambassadors, women's growing influence in the outdoor industry, predator management, grizzly bears, wolves, and the need for hunters to stay engaged in wildlife policy and conservation issues. From high-country archery mule deer to the realities of guiding, filmmaking, motherhood, and maintaining a family ranch, Jordan offers a candid perspective on what it takes to build a life in the outdoors—and why protecting hunting opportunities matters for future generations.

In this episode:

• Jordan's journey from a Nebraska ranch to the outdoor industry
• Why hunting is about the experience, not harvest
• Social media, hunting television, and unrealistic expectations
• The challenges of guiding hunters and managing expectations
• Archery hunting, mule deer, elk, and Western hunting opportunities
• Women's influence and representation in hunting and conservation
• Ranching, wildlife habitat, and the importance of private land conservation
• Nebraska's changing deer populations, EHD, and elk expansion
• Predator management, wolves, grizzly bears, and wildlife policy
• Outdoor storytelling and the future of hunting films
• Why hunters need to be engaged in conservation and wildlife decisions

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org/

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Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/

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What happens when wildlife management becomes a political fight?

In this special Through the Gates x The Mountainside Podcast collaboration, Dan Gates and Bobby Marshall sit down for a wide-ranging conversation about Colorado wildlife, hunting, fishing, conservation, CPW, ballot-box biology, and the emerging fight over Colorado’s constitutional right to hunt and fish.

This conversation goes far beyond hunting.

Dan and Bobby break down why wildlife management affects hunters, anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, photographers, ranchers, outdoor businesses, and anyone who enjoys Colorado’s public lands and wildlife.

A major focus of the conversation is the proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish in Colorado and the argument that complex wildlife-management decisions should remain grounded in science, data, professional wildlife management, and adaptive management.

They discuss:

• What Colorado’s constitutional right to hunt and fish actually says
• What the proposed amendment does — and does not — do
• The concept of “ballot box biology”
• Why CPW and professional wildlife managers play such an important role
• Colorado’s experience with Proposition 127 and wolf reintroduction
• Mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, bears, wolves and beavers
• The debate over trapping and wildlife-management tools
• How hunting and fishing contribute to conservation funding
• Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson funding
• Why wildlife doesn’t recognize state boundaries
• Colorado’s rapidly growing human population and increasing recreation pressure
• The changing relationship between wildlife and outdoor recreation
• Why non-hunters have a stake in wildlife management
• How people outside Colorado can support Colorado’s wildlife-conservation efforts
• How to talk to someone who doesn't hunt or fish about wildlife conservation
• And why Dan believes wildlife management should remain adaptable as conditions change

The conversation also gets into something that often gets overlooked: Colorado’s wildlife belongs to everyone.

Whether you hunt, fish, hike, camp, photograph wildlife, ride a mountain bike, own a ranch, or simply enjoy seeing elk, deer, bears, mountain lions and other wildlife in Colorado, the decisions being made today can affect how those resources are managed for generations.

This is a conversation about wildlife first — and the people, policies, science and funding mechanisms that determine how Colorado manages it.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

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What does Colorado’s Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish actually mean—and why should it matter to people who don’t hunt or fish?

That is one of the central questions explored in this special episode of Through the Gates, featuring internationally recognized conservationist Shane Mahoney, President and CEO of Conservation Visions and founder of the Wild Harvest Initiative.

This conversation is especially relevant for Coloradans who love the outdoors but may never have hunted or fished. If you hike, camp, mountain bike, kayak, photograph wildlife, watch elk and moose, enjoy Colorado’s public lands, or simply care about healthy wildlife populations, this episode explores the connection between those experiences and the system of wildlife conservation that exists today.

Mahoney and Dan Gates take a deep look at the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and how regulated hunting and fishing fit into a larger system designed to maintain abundant wildlife populations and provide public benefits.

The discussion covers:

• Why wildlife is considered a public-trust resource
• How North American wildlife populations recovered from historic declines
• Why wildlife abundance benefits hunters AND non-hunters
• The connection between hunting, fishing and sustainable sources of food
• How hunting and fishing contribute to wildlife management and conservation funding
• Why science-based wildlife management matters
• What “sustainable use” actually means
• The history behind the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
• The role of regulation in preventing overharvest
• The importance of wild foods and the Wild Harvest Initiative
• How conservation can serve people who never hunt or fish
• The debate surrounding fur-bearing wildlife and commercial use
• Why wildlife management has to account for changing populations, habitat and human communities
• What the proposed constitutional protection does—and does not—say about wildlife management
• Why understanding the issue matters before Colorado voters make their decision

One of the most important themes of the conversation is that wildlife conservation is not exclusively about hunting.

Mahoney argues that the recovery of elk, deer, pronghorn, waterfowl, bears and other wildlife has created opportunities for everyone—from hunters and anglers to hikers, photographers, birders, climbers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts. As he explains, abundant wildlife adds another dimension to the Colorado outdoor experience regardless of whether someone ever harvests an animal.
The episode also examines an important question for anyone thinking about food and sustainability: How does harvesting from the wild fit into the modern food system?

Mahoney discusses the millions of people around the world who continue to rely directly on wild resources for food and livelihoods, and why he believes sustainable, regulated harvest should be considered alongside other approaches to food production and conservation.

And ultimately, the conversation returns to Colorado.

The Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish is discussed not simply as a question for hunters and anglers, but as a question about wildlife management, science, public trust, outdoor recreation, food, conservation funding and how Colorado manages its wildlife for future generations.

If you're a Colorado voter who doesn't hunt or fish, this episode is an opportunity to hear the history, philosophy and arguments surrounding Amendment 83 directly and consider how those ideas relate to the wildlife and outdoor experiences you value.

Listen before you vote. Learn what the issue actually says. Consider the different perspectives. Then make your own informed decision.

The fight to protect hunting, fishing, trapping, and science-based wildlife management doesn't stop at the U.S. border.

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Mark Hall, Executive Director of Wild Origins Canada, in Squamish, British Columbia, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of hunting and conservation across North America.

The conversation explores the growing battles over hunting and wildlife management in Canada, the similarities between Canadian and American conservation fights, and why hunters may need to stop playing defense and start thinking strategically about the next 5-20 years.

Mark explains the mission of Wild Origins Canada and the importance of telling the story of how hunting benefits wildlife, communities, families, and conservation. Dan and Mark also discuss the power of documentaries, podcasts, social media, and influential voices in reaching the non-hunting public with a message grounded in wildlife management and sustainable use.

The conversation gets into some of the most contentious issues facing hunters and conservationists today, including grizzly bear hunting, wolf management, mountain lions, beavers, trapping, Indigenous rights, land access, public opinion, wildlife science, hunting tourism, conservation funding, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

They also examine why hunters in Canada and the United States may need to start thinking and acting as one North American conservation community.

Instead of waiting for the next ballot initiative, lawsuit, campaign, hunting ban, or attack on wildlife management, Mark and Dan discuss building a proactive strategy—developing the messaging, research, relationships, funding, and media infrastructure needed to reach the non-hunting public before the next fight begins.

Topics include:
• Wild Origins Canada and the mission to tell the truth about hunting
• The importance of changing the hunting narrative
• Grizzly bear hunting in British Columbia
• Colorado's Proposition 127 and lessons for Canada
• How wildlife issues cross international borders
• Attacks on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
• Wildlife science, peer review, and competing research
• Public opinion polling and social science
• Cougar and wolf management
• Trapping and predator management
• The growing debate over beaver management
• Indigenous rights and wildlife management in Canada
• Hunting tourism and its economic importance
• Conservation funding and philanthropic influence
• Why hunters need to support conservation organizations
• The role of Joe Rogan, Steve Rinella, Cameron Hanes, Charles Whitwam and other influential voices
• Building a proactive North American conservation strategy
• Why hunters need to stop fighting as isolated groups
• The need for a “meeting of the minds”

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

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Colorado's fight over hunting, wildlife management and the future of conservation continues—and this episode of Through the Gates takes that conversation from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission all the way to the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Dan Gates breaks down the latest Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, including concerns over public comment, commission procedure, stakeholder representation, science-based wildlife management and the push to make major decisions before a new administration takes office.

The conversation then shifts to Frontier Safaris in South Africa, where Dan sits down with Barry Birchell to discuss nearly four decades of wildlife conservation, hunting, habitat management and the economics that make wildlife worth conserving.

Barry explains how his family built Frontier Safaris from a single ranch in 1987 into a massive operation spanning tens of thousands of acres, and why hunting has played such an important role in keeping that land in wildlife production rather than returning it to traditional cattle, sheep and goat ranching.

The discussion covers the relationship between hunting and conservation, photographic safaris, predator management, wildlife populations, sustainable harvest, genetics, local employment, meat utilization and the economic realities of managing wildlife in Africa.

Barry also explains the philosophy behind the phrase "if it pays, it stays" and why he believes hunters have played a critical role in the remarkable growth of wildlife populations in South Africa.

Back in Colorado, the episode returns to the fight over the constitutional right to hunt and fish, including Amendment 83 and the growing debate over who should make wildlife management decisions: politicians and activists, or professional wildlife managers and scientists.

If you care about hunting, fishing, public lands, wildlife conservation, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or the future of our outdoor heritage, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Watch. Listen. Educate yourself. Then make up your own mind.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

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What happens when a ballot initiative goes far beyond hunting and fishing?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Charles Whitwam of Howl for Wildlife for a wide-ranging conversation about the growing national fight over hunting, fishing, agriculture, wildlife management, and the future of conservation.

The conversation begins with the history of the partnership between Howl for Wildlife, Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, and other conservation organizations before diving into some of the biggest issues facing hunters and wildlife advocates today.

A major focus is Oregon IP 28, an initiative discussed in the episode as potentially affecting hunting, fishing, animal breeding, ranching, farming, livestock production, and locally sourced food. Charles explains why he believes IP 28 represents more than a single ballot measure—and why the larger issue is the growing disconnect between people who participate in these activities and people who have never experienced them firsthand.

The discussion also covers Charles' upcoming documentary on IP 28, the people and communities he plans to interview in Oregon, and the importance of telling the human stories behind hunting, farming, fishing, ranching, and food production.

From there, Dan and Charles turn their attention to Colorado Initiative 302 and the proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish, discussing what the language actually says, the role of science-based wildlife management, and how supporters believe the measure could provide a constitutional framework while preserving the state's ability to regulate hunting and fishing.

They also discuss:

• The history of Howl for Wildlife and its role as a "force multiplier"
• The fight over mountain lions and Colorado Senate Bill 31
• Proposition 127 and Colorado's battle over mountain lion hunting
• The controversy surrounding Catalina Island mule deer
• The importance of food, farming and local food production
• Why hunters need to communicate more effectively with non-hunters
• The growing movement to establish constitutional rights to hunt and fish
• Colorado's role in that broader Western movement

One of the central themes of the conversation is that the future of hunting and wildlife management won't be determined solely by hunters. It will also depend on whether people who don't hunt understand how wildlife is managed, where their food comes from, and why science-based conservation exists in the first place. Charles specifically discusses conversations with people who have little or no connection to hunting and how those conversations can change perceptions.
The episode closes with a discussion about leadership, cooperation among conservation organizations, and the idea that protecting hunting and fishing rights is becoming a broader movement across the American West.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

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Women are becoming one of the most important voices in hunting, conservation, and the outdoors — and in this episode of Through the Gates, we explore why.

Dan Gates sits down with Renée Thornton, founder and chair of the Wild Sheep Foundation's Women Hunt program, and Rachel Ahtila, professional guide and longtime Women Hunt advocate, for an in-depth conversation about getting more women into hunting, breaking down barriers, mentorship, conservation education, and the role women can play in defending the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

The conversation goes far beyond simply getting women into the field.

Renée and Rachel explain how Women Hunt evolved from an idea into a growing program providing skills training, mentorship, hunting opportunities, community, conservation education, and support for women at every stage of their hunting journey.

They also discuss the challenges women still encounter entering a traditionally male-dominated hunting community, the importance of representation, the evolution of women's hunting gear, the power of social media, and why the hunting community needs to reach beyond its traditional echo chamber.

The episode also explores how hunting can become a gateway to conservation, food sovereignty, outdoor education, family traditions, and advocacy — and why women may be uniquely positioned to communicate those ideas to people who don't traditionally identify as hunters.

Then, in the second half of the episode, Dan talks with Dana Dykema, host of the Women Hunt IGNITE Podcast, about her own journey from having virtually no connection to hunting to becoming a hunter, conservation advocate, podcast host, and voice for the hunting community.

Dana shares her experience at the Women Hunt Field to Fork program, learning to shoot, harvesting her first animal, navigating hunting as a mother of four, exploring fishing and other outdoor pursuits, and discovering the larger conservation community.

They also discuss why sharing the real story of hunting — where food comes from, how hunting funds conservation, and why sustainable use matters — may be one of the most important challenges facing hunters today.

In This Episode

• Women Hunt and the Wild Sheep Foundation
• How Renée Thornton got into hunting
• Rachel Ahtila's career as a professional guide
• Breaking down barriers for women in hunting
• The evolution of women's hunting gear
• Hunting mentorship and education
• Field to Fork hunting
• Women as conservation advocates
• Reaching beyond the hunting community
• Social media and conservation messaging
• The Women of Conservation initiative
• Overcoming fear of firearms and harvesting an animal
• The emotional side of learning to hunt
• Hunting as a source of food and connection
• Dana Dykema's journey into hunting
• The IGNITE Podcast
• Hunting and fishing in British Columbia
• Why the hunting community needs more voices

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

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Ryan Callaghan—known to millions through MeatEater and now President & CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers—joins Daniel Gates for one of the most important conservation conversations of the year.

From his beginnings as a Montana hunting guide and First Lite employee to helping build MeatEater and now leading one of North America's largest conservation organizations, Ryan explains why protecting hunting, fishing, public lands, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation requires more than buying a hunting license—it requires action.

Together, Ryan and Dan discuss:

• Ryan's journey from guide to conservation leader
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of MeatEater
• Why coalition building is the future of conservation
• Public lands, access, and the biggest threats facing hunters today
• Oregon's IP 28 and what it could mean nationwide
• Colorado's Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish initiative
• How hunters, anglers, ranchers, agriculture, recreation groups, and public land users can work together instead of being divided
• Why advocacy matters just as much as time spent in the field

If you care about hunting, fishing, conservation, wildlife management, public lands, or the future of the outdoors, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

00:00 Introduction & Mission to Save the Hunt
00:43 Meet Ryan Callaghan
01:32 Ryan's Background & Growing Up in Montana
04:00 Building First Lite & Early Conservation Work
07:00 Joining MeatEater & Leading Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
09:20 New Fatherhood & Life Updates
10:35 How Ryan Ended Up at MeatEater
18:30 From Outdoor Jobs to Conservation Leadership
23:45 Why Hunting Advocacy Matters
25:45 Coalition Building Over Division
28:10 Lessons from Ranching Communities
32:40 Why Hunters Must Stop Fighting Each Other
33:20 Public Lands & Responsible Recreation
37:15 Politics vs. Policy
40:05 Supporting Businesses that Support Hunting
41:40 Conservation, Agriculture & Finding Common Ground
45:30 Responsible Resource Development
50:45 Oregon IP 28 Explained
57:30 Colorado's Right to Hunt & Fish Movement
1:03:30 Why Join Backcountry Hunters & Anglers?
1:06:20 Building Stronger Conservation Coalitions
1:12:20 Volunteerism & Stewardship
1:15:40 Reaching Non-Hunters Through Conservation
1:17:45 Why Wildlife Management Shouldn't Be Decided by Emotion
1:20:00 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Ryan Callaghan, Dan Gates, MeatEater Podcast, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Daniel Gates, Through the Gates Podcast, public lands, hunting rights, right to hunt and fish, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, conservation, wildlife management, Colorado hunting, Oregon IP 28, hunting advocacy, fishing rights, public land access, hunters united, wildlife conservation, hunting podcast, outdoor podcast, science-based wildlife management.

What does it take to build one of the most recognizable brands in hunting while becoming one of the strongest voices for wildlife conservation?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with legendary hunter, entrepreneur, conservationist, and Primos Hunting founder Will Primos for one of the most personal and insightful interviews he's ever given.

Will shares the incredible story behind building Primos Hunting from a garage startup into one of the biggest names in the outdoor industry. He discusses the evolution of game calls, hunting videos, elk calling, turkey hunting, business leadership, and how timing, innovation, and authenticity changed hunting forever.

More importantly, Will explains why science-based wildlife management, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and educating the non-hunting public are more important today than ever before.

In this episode:

• The incredible story behind founding Primos Hunting

• Building a hunting company from a garage

• How VHS tapes revolutionized hunting education

• Why authenticity built one of hunting's biggest brands

• The evolution of turkey, deer and elk calling

• Product innovation inside Primos

• Entrepreneurship lessons from growing a national company

• The importance of habitat conservation

• Why science—not emotion—must guide wildlife management

• Educating non-hunters about conservation

If you believe in conserving wildlife through science-based management, responsible hunting, and protecting the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, be sure to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Meet Will Primos

01:39 Growing up and early influences

06:57 Starting Primos Hunting in a garage

09:58 Audio cassettes that changed hunting

11:42 The birth of hunting videos

17:06 Timing, innovation & entrepreneurship

18:02 Conservation begins with education

20:31 Building the Primos brand

22:00 Expanding beyond turkey calls

27:58 Product innovation & Trigger Stick

37:50 Conservation becomes the mission

42:58 Teaching the next generation

48:59 Ballot box biology & public education

53:24 Challenges facing hunting today

56:10 Why everyone impacts wildlife habitat

1:00:51 Future hunting plans & favorite adventures

1:05:03 Final thoughts from Will Primos

1:06:03 Colorado Outfitters Association

1:06:50 Mintern Anglers

1:07:07 Rustic Living

1:08:09 Outro

Keywords

Will Primos, Primos Hunting, hunting podcast, Dan Gates, elk hunting, turkey hunting, deer hunting, wildlife conservation, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, science-based wildlife management, conservation podcast, elk calling, turkey calls, hunting industry, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Colorado hunting, hunting heritage, wildlife management, public lands

***This episode was recorded with GoHunt in late May. While much of conversation is relevant and educational, some edits were made to remove content out of date. ***

Colorado is at a crossroads.

For the first time, Colorado has the opportunity to become the 25th state to protect the constitutional right to hunt and fish, creating another layer of defense for science-based wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

In this episode of Through the Gates, Sean Ender sits down with Dan Gates, President of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM), to break down what this proposed constitutional amendment actually does, why it's needed, and what sportsmen and women—both inside and outside Colorado—need to understand.

The conversation goes far beyond a ballot measure.

Dan explains how Colorado became ground zero for wildlife policy battles, why anti-hunting organizations continue returning after every defeat, how the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission influences the future of hunting, and why educating the public may be the most important conservation effort of our generation.

Whether you're a hunter, angler, conservationist, landowner, or simply care about science-based wildlife management, this conversation explains what's happening in Colorado—and why it could influence wildlife policy across the country.

If you value responsible hunting, fishing, public lands, and the future of conservation, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Colorado's wildlife management is at a crossroads.

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates breaks down one of the most consequential Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meetings in recent memory and explains why sportsmen, anglers, conservationists, landowners, and anyone who values science-based wildlife management should be paying attention.

From controversial furbearer bag limit decisions to growing concerns about politics overriding wildlife science, this episode explains what happened during the July Commission meeting, why those decisions matter, and how they connect to Colorado's proposed Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish (Initiative 302).

Dan discusses:

• The recent CPW Commission decisions on furbearer regulations

• Why science-based wildlife management is under increasing pressure

• The role of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

• Why the constitutional amendment does not remove management authority from Colorado Parks and Wildlife

• The dangers of ballot-box biology

• Why hunters and anglers need to become more engaged before future wildlife decisions are made

Whether you're a hunter, angler, wildlife professional, or simply someone who believes wildlife should be managed using science instead of emotion or politics, this conversation provides important context for the future of conservation in Colorado.

If you enjoy the podcast, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help spread the message.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

For decades, outdoor television has focused on the hunt. Jason Matzinger has spent his career telling the story behind it.

In this episode of Through the Gates, we sit down with the creator of Into High Country and one of conservation's most respected filmmakers to explore why hunting is about far more than the harvest. Jason explains how storytelling can bridge the gap between hunters and non-hunters by showcasing the science, stewardship, and wildlife conservation that make the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation the most successful conservation system in the world.

From his groundbreaking documentaries with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Boone & Crockett Club to his upcoming documentary on grizzly bear recovery, Jason shares why he believes conservation—not trophies—should always be the hero of the story.

We discuss:

• Why modern hunting media often misses the bigger conservation message

• How film can reach audiences outside the hunting community

• The truth about "trophy hunting" and selective wildlife management

• The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

• Why grizzly bears should be managed through science—not politics

• The role hunters play in funding wildlife conservation

• The future of conservation storytelling

If you've ever wondered how hunting became North America's greatest conservation success story—or how we can better communicate that story to the public—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Subscribe for more conversations protecting hunting, fishing, wildlife management, and the future of conservation.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

What happens when wildlife policy is driven by politics instead of science?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates joins the Wild Sheep Foundation's Sheep Fever Podcast for one of the most important conversations happening in conservation today.

From Colorado's proposed Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish amendment to Oregon's sweeping IP28 initiative, this episode exposes how organized animal-rights campaigns are reshaping wildlife policy across North America—and why sportsmen, conservationists, ranchers, anglers, and anyone who values science-based wildlife management should be paying attention.

Dan explains how Colorado has become ground zero for ballot-box biology, politically appointed wildlife commissions, predator management controversies, trapping restrictions, wolf reintroduction, and coordinated efforts to replace decades of professional wildlife science with ideology.

More importantly, he explains what can be done to protect the future of hunting, fishing, conservation funding, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation before similar efforts spread to additional states.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations exploring conservation, wildlife policy, hunting, fishing, and the future of the North American Model.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

00:00 Introduction: Why Colorado Is Ground Zero for Wildlife Politics

02:42 Meet Dan Gates & The Conservation Fight

06:15 The Growing Animal Rights Movement Across America

10:48 Oregon's IP28 Explained

15:30 How Activists Test Messaging Before Ballot Measures

19:40 Why Colorado Became the Blueprint

24:15 The Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish

30:18 Why This Amendment Matters

35:55 Science vs Politics in Wildlife Management

41:20 Ballot Box Biology Explained

46:50 The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

51:35 Why Hunting & Fishing Fund Conservation

57:42 What the Amendment Actually Does

1:03:12 Does It Change Hunting Regulations?

1:08:15 Colorado's History of Ballot Initiatives

1:14:02 Why Wildlife Commissions Matter

1:19:40 Political Appointments vs Wildlife Science

1:25:12 The Fur Ban Controversy

1:30:45 Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission

1:37:10 The Cost of Political Wildlife Management

1:42:55 Wolves, Predators & Wildlife Policy

1:49:20 Why Science Must Lead Wildlife Decisions

1:54:48 Conservation Funding Challenges

2:00:15 Who Should Pay for Wildlife?

2:05:50 Public Education Is the Missing Piece

2:11:30 Why Hunters Must Tell Their Story Better

2:17:42 Conservation Beyond Hunters

2:23:08 Creating a National Conservation Message

2:29:10 Building the Future of Hunting Advocacy

2:34:15 Protecting Wildlife for Future Generations

2:38:40 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Is Colorado's wildlife policy being guided by science—or by ideology?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates takes an in-depth look at Governor Jared Polis' latest appointment to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission: Dr. Rebecca Niemiec.

Dan examines Dr. Niemiec's published research, public statements, academic work, and professional affiliations, arguing they reveal a consistent philosophy that challenges the traditional role of wildlife biologists in wildlife policy and management. The discussion explores her work surrounding "Ballot Box Biology," predator coexistence, animal policy, and what Dan contends is a growing movement to shift wildlife decision-making away from science-based management and toward values-driven public campaigns.

This episode also revisits what Dan calls the growing "web" connecting political appointments, academia, predator advocacy, and animal-rights organizations influencing wildlife policy in Colorado.

Topics include:

• Dr. Rebecca Niemiec's appointment to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission
• Her published work on "Ballot Box Biology"
• The debate over who should shape wildlife policy—wildlife biologists or broader public values
• Wolf management and predator coexistence
• Wildlife for All and the broader animal advocacy movement
• Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission appointments
• Science-based wildlife management
• The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
• Why Dan believes Colorado has become the national epicenter of wildlife policy battles
• How the Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish initiative fits into the broader strategy to protect hunting and fishing opportunities

This episode examines one of the most consequential wildlife appointments in Colorado's recent history and what it could mean for hunters, anglers, ranchers, wildlife professionals, and everyone invested in the future of wildlife conservation.

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO

Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org

Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us

Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com

Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado

Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction: The Web Grows
03:15 – Why This Appointment Matters
08:10 – Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission Update
13:45 – Who Is Dr. Rebecca Niemiec?
22:30 – Academic Research & Ballot Box Biology
34:10 – Predator Advocacy & Human Carnivore Coexistence
46:20 – Wildlife for All and Related Advocacy Networks
57:30 – Should Wildlife Biologists Drive Wildlife Policy?
1:10:20 – Science-Based Wildlife Management vs. Values-Based Campaigns
1:22:45 – The Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission's Direction
1:33:50 – Why Colorado Is the National Battleground
1:41:40 – The Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish
1:47:30 – How You Can Get Involved

What happens when a wildlife scientist, filmmaker, conservationist, and hunter decides to change the narrative around hunting?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Daniel Gates sits down with Dr. Robbie Kroger, founder of the Origins Foundation (formerly Blood Origins), to discuss the power of storytelling in conservation, the future of hunting advocacy, wildlife documentaries, global conservation projects, Colorado wildlife politics, Oregon's controversial IP 28 initiative, and why hunters must become better ambassadors for wildlife conservation.

Robbie shares his journey from South Africa to earning a PhD in wetland ecology, working as a professor and scientist, and ultimately launching one of the most influential storytelling platforms in the hunting and conservation world. From lion conservation and elephant documentaries to wolves in Colorado, rhino projects in Africa, New Zealand's Tahr controversy, and the growing battle over wildlife policy, this conversation explores how stories can shape the future of hunting, fishing, and conservation worldwide.

If you care about hunting, conservation, wildlife management, public lands, science-based policy, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Topics Include:

• Origins Foundation (formerly Blood Origins)
• Robbie Kroger's conservation journey
• Hunting and conservation storytelling
• Colorado wolf management
• LionHeart documentary
• Global wildlife conservation projects
• Rhino, elephant, cheetah, and wolf conservation
• New Zealand Tahr controversy
• Oregon IP 28 initiative
• Hunting advocacy and public perception
• Wildlife policy and ballot initiatives
• The future of conservation media

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO
Sign the Initiative 302 petition: http://savecoheritage.org
Donate to CRWM: http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us
Learn more: http://savethehuntcolorado.com
Follow CRWM on Facebook: http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado
Follow CRWM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m

Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode to help spread the conservation message.

What happens when wildlife policy is driven by emotion instead of science?

In this episode of Through the Gates, Daniel Gates sits down with filmmaker, conservation advocate, and Shepherds of Wildlife Society founder Tom Opre for an in-depth conversation about hunting, conservation, ballot initiatives, predator management, wolves, trapping, rural communities, wildlife policy, and the growing disconnect between urban society and the natural world.

Tom shares stories from decades of global travel and filmmaking, including work in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, while discussing how sustainable use conservation, hunting, trapping, and wildlife management have shaped modern conservation success.

The conversation dives deep into:

• Colorado wolf reintroduction • Ballot box biology and anti-hunting initiatives • Predator management and trapping • Conservation vs preservation • Rural communities and wildlife stewardship • The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation • Trophy hunting misconceptions • Sustainable use conservation in Africa • Rewilding movements • Wildlife economics and habitat management • Human-wildlife conflict • Public land pressure and outdoor recreation • The future of hunting, fishing, and trapping rights

Tom Opre also explains how storytelling, documentaries, and public education are shaping the future of wildlife conservation and why hunters, anglers, ranchers, and rural communities are essential to protecting habitat and wildlife populations.

If you care about wildlife conservation, public lands, hunting rights, predator management, trapping, elk, mule deer, wolves, mountain lions, grizzly bears, habitat restoration, rural America, or the future of science-based wildlife management, this episode is a must-watch.

Subscribe to Through the Gates for more long-form conversations about hunting, wildlife policy, conservation, predator management, trapping, public lands, and the fight to protect the future of wildlife management.

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