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In this episode of Through the Gates, we break down the growing legislative threats facing sportsmen, conservationists, landowners, and everyday Coloradans — and why these battles go far beyond hunting and fishing. From Senate Bill 26-043, which seeks to regulate firearm barrels, to Senate Bill 26-062, targeting rodent control products and pest management, this episode exposes how policy decisions driven by ideology — not science — can directly impact public safety, food security, wildlife management, and personal freedoms. The conversation then shifts to something every person can understand: food. We dive deep into the Wild Harvest Initiative, led by Shane Mahoney and Conservation Visions, and explain why wild food is a critical, renewable resource — not just for hunters and anglers, but for society as a whole. You’ll hear how the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation remains the most successful conservation framework in the world, how hunting and fishing fund billions in conservation, and why disconnecting people from wild food and natural resources threatens both ecosystems and human well-being. This episode connects the dots between: • Wildlife conservation • Sustainable food systems • Public health • Science-based management • And the increasing influence of politics over expertise Whether you hunt, fish, farm, or simply eat — this episode affects you. Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

Jana Waller Bair, founder of Skull Bound Chronicles, joins the show to talk about hunting, storytelling, conservation, and what it means to live an unapologetic outdoor life in a world increasingly hostile to hunting traditions. Jana shares her journey into hunting, how Skull Bound Chronicles was built to give hunters a voice, and why authentic storytelling matters more than ever. The conversation explores the challenges women face in the hunting space, the growing cultural divide around hunting, the importance of being educated and engaged, and why science-based conservation must remain the foundation of North American wildlife success. Dan and Jana dive into the pressures coming from anti-hunting activists, the role of social media and censorship, and why hunters must stand firm, educate the public, and engage in policy conversations. From personal experiences in the field to the future of hunting media, this is an honest, thoughtful discussion about protecting wildlife, heritage, and conservation through responsible use. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, new to the outdoors, or simply interested in conservation and public lands, this episode offers insight into why hunting is not just relevant — it’s essential. Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

The fight over furbearer hunting and trapping is escalating — and most people have no idea what’s actually happening. In this episode of Through the Gates, we expose the growing political push to ban or restrict furbearer hunting, trapping, and wildlife utilization under the guise of “science” and “compassion.” From bobcats and beavers to coyotes and ringtails, activist organizations are using misleading narratives, public pressure, and regulatory creep to undermine science-based wildlife management in Colorado and beyond. We break down: Why predators do not self-regulate near human populations How fur bans quickly turn into total harvest bans What the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is facing right now Why regulated trapping and hunting actually reduce conflict How conservation funding depends on hunters and trappers If hunting, trapping, conservation funding, or the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation matters to you, this episode explains what’s really at stake — and why staying silent is not an option. 👇 Join the movement defending science-based wildlife management SaveTheHuntColorado.com Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this urgent episode, Dan Gates lays out the reality of the fight facing hunters, trappers, and science-based wildlife management in Colorado. From the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to the state legislature and looming ballot initiatives, coordinated anti-hunting extremist efforts are working to dismantle the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Dan breaks down how emotional activism, political pressure, and misinformation are being used to bypass professional biologists, undermine regulated hunting and trapping, and reshape wildlife policy through commission votes, legislation, and ballot-box biology. This episode connects the dots between activist messaging, policy outcomes, and what’s truly at stake for wildlife, rural communities, and conservation funding. If you care about ethical hunting, sustainable wildlife management, and defending conservation decisions rooted in science — not emotion — this episode is a must-listen. Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

Dan Gates breaks down and responds directly to public comments from the loudest anti-hunting activists influencing Colorado wildlife policy, including First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Project Coyote representative Mark Surls, and Samantha Miller (Ctr. for Biological Diversity), examining how their rhetoric collides with science-based wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Using their own words, Dan examines how emotional activism, misinformation, and ideological pressure are increasingly shaping wildlife decisions — often at the expense of science-based management. The episode highlights how these narratives impact Colorado Parks and Wildlife, public trust, and the future of regulated hunting, trapping, and conservation funding. This is a critical conversation for anyone who cares about wildlife science, transparency, accountability, and keeping conservation decisions in the hands of professionals — not extremists. Listen, share, subscribe and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In our final episode of the year, Dan Gates takes a serious look at what’s coming next for Colorado’s furbearer management as the CPW Commission prepares to debate sweeping changes that could permanently reshape wildlife conservation in our state. We dig into what’s really at stake — from the future of regulated trapping and ethical fur use, to the role furbearers play in healthy ecosystems, to the danger of emotional politics replacing science-based wildlife management. We talk about what these proposals could mean for Colorado’s wildlife, ranching communities, working landscapes, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. If you care about science, sustainability, ethical use, and real conservation, this is a conversation you need to hear. Listen, share, subscribe and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this episode, Dan updates us on some of the recent news coming from Colorado breaking down the political influence on Colorado wildlife management and the real-world consequences now playing out inside Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The discussion begins with the resignations of Director Jeff Davis and Commissioner Murphy Robinson. Dan explains why these departures matter, what they signal about internal pressure, and how politics are increasingly overriding professional wildlife expertise. From there, the episode dives into beaver management, furbearer policy, and how trapping bans and public perception are reshaping effective conservation tools. Dan also addresses deer population research, declining herd health, and how predator management—or the lack of it—directly impacts big game across Colorado. This conversation ties each issue back to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, explaining how funding, data-driven decisions, and professional biologists are being sidelined by emotion, ballot initiatives, and political optics. For hunters, conservationists, and anyone who cares about where their food comes from, this episode lays out why Colorado has become ground zero for a national wildlife policy fight. Listen, share, subscribe and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Celebrate the Women of Conservation initiative - Buy your calendar today! https://markitmyway.chipply.com/crwm/product-detail-shell.aspx?pid=18789292&eid=355074&cid=2151159&lastaction=viewall Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this unique Through the Gates episode, Dan visits Colorado Gators in the San Luis Valley—one of the most unexpected reptile sanctuaries in the West. Chad Hacking walks us through the history of the farm, how a tilapia operation became an alligator rescue, and why hundreds of gators now thrive in a place better known for snow than swamps. Hear the real story behind reptile rescues, why alligators don’t make good pets, how invasive snakes became a crisis in the South, and what it takes to care for hundreds of crocodilians at 7,500 feet. From reptile behavior to wildlife education, this episode blends conservation, curiosity, and Colorado oddities in a way you won’t forget. Perfect for listeners interested in wildlife sanctuaries, conservation, invasive species, reptiles, and the North American Model. Listen, share, subscribe and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this special international episode of Through the Gates, Dan sits down in remote Porcupine Plains, Saskatchewan with Bryon Patchin, owner of Piwie Lake Outfitters and a lifelong trapper, guide, fur buyer, and outdoorsman. Bryon shares a rare inside look at what it means to truly live off the land—from 40 years of trapping, guiding whitetail and black bear hunters, and buying furs across some of the most remote regions in Canada. He explains how Indigenous trappers survive without roads, how registered traplines work, the challenges of fluctuating fur prices, and the realities of predator–prey cycles, wolf pressure, and habitat conditions. This episode highlights the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, sustainable use, and the deep cultural connection rural Canadians have with wildlife management. It also draws important parallels to the challenges U.S. sportsmen face with misinformation, anti-hunting activism, and the growing disconnect between urban emotionalism and real conservation. If you care about hunting, trapping, land-based heritage, or understanding where your wildlife conservation dollars go—this is a must-listen. Listen, share, and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

Colorado is becoming the nation’s testing ground for aggressive anti-hunting and anti-management efforts — and in this episode, we break down exactly what’s happening, who’s behind the push, and how it threatens the future of wildlife conservation in the West. This conversation in conjunction with Cable Smith's Lone Star Outdoor Show dives deep into the rising political pressure on wildlife policy, ballot-box biology, predator management, wolf reintroduction, misinformation campaigns, rural vs urban value clashes, and the growing movement to eliminate hunting opportunities in Colorado. If you care about hunting, conservation, wildlife science, or the future of outdoor heritage, this is a must-listen episode. ✔ How anti-hunting groups are targeting Colorado ✔ Why ballot initiatives are becoming the new battleground ✔ The real science behind predator management ✔ Why hunters are losing ground — and how to fight back ✔ What the public doesn’t understand about wildlife agencies ✔ How social media shapes false narratives about conservation Listen, share, and stay informed — the future of wildlife management depends on it. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Celebrate the Women of Conservation initiative - Buy your calendar today! https://markitmyway.chipply.com/crwm/product-detail-shell.aspx?pid=18789292&eid=355074&cid=2151159&lastaction=viewall Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this powerful joint episode of Through the Gates and Rokcast, Sam Weaver sits down once again with Dan Gates, Executive Director of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM), to break down the escalating fight for science-based wildlife management in Colorado. Dan explains the behind-the-scenes political pressure, legislative maneuvering, and activist tactics threatening hunting, fishing, agriculture, and wildlife conservation across the West. From the mountain lion hunting ban proposals, to attacks on furbearer management, to the wolf introduction fallout — this is the most in-depth look at what’s REALLY happening in Colorado’s wildlife policy arena. If you care about hunting, conservation, predator management, trapping, houndsmen, wildlife biology, ranching, Western values, or public lands, this episode is required listening. Learn why Colorado has become the national battleground for anti-hunting groups — and what sportsmen and women around the country MUST do to fight back. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan sits down with Randy Jackson, founder of Rustic Living / Rustic Log Furniture, to explore how true craftsmanship, sustainable forestry, and Colorado heritage come together in heirloom-quality furniture. Randy shares how a simple Mother’s Day project grew into a decades-long business built on responsibly harvested dead-standing aspen, rigorous quality control, and a deep commitment to reducing waste through long-lasting, handcrafted products. Listeners will discover how sustainably sourced forest products support both healthy ecosystems and local economies, why natural aspen creates timeless rustic pieces, and how Randy’s team works closely with the Forest Service to remove dead timber that would otherwise fuel catastrophic fire risk. You’ll also hear how his passion for design, engineering, and innovation turned Rustic Living into one of Colorado’s most respected furniture makers. If you care about sustainable home goods, handcrafted quality, thoughtful use of natural resources, or Colorado’s tradition of working with the land—this episode is for you. https://rusticliving.com/ 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Celebrate the Women of Conservation initiative - Buy your calendar today! https://markitmyway.chipply.com/crwm/product-detail-shell.aspx?pid=18789292&eid=355074&cid=2151159&lastaction=viewall Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In this urgent episode of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with special guest Swartout to break down why Colorado is entering its “Dunkirk moment” in the battle to defend the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Just as Winston Churchill rallied a nation to protect its future, hunters, ranchers, biologists, and Colorado citizens must now stand together against political pressure, misinformation, and agenda-driven attacks on hunting and science-based management. This conversation lays out what’s at stake: • The growing disconnect between urban political forces and rural working landscapes • Threats to predator management, wildlife funding, and the hunting tradition • Why ballot-box biology has become the greatest danger to wildlife conservation • What every Coloradan can do right now to defend science, conservation, and our hunting heritage If you care about wildlife, responsible management, and protecting access for future generations, this is an episode you cannot miss. This is our Dunkirk. This is the moment we choose whether to fight — or lose what has protected wildlife for over a century. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commissioner Murphy Robinson joins Through the Gates for the most transparent, engaging, and wide-ranging interview he’s ever given. Murphy opens up about his lifelong love of fishing and hunting, how he unexpectedly ended up on the CPW Commission, what it’s like navigating political pressure, and his mission to keep wildlife management science-based, ethical, and accessible for future generations. Murphy dives deep into the realities of modern wildlife policy — the growing urban-rural divide, how politics threatens responsible conservation, the impact of ballot-box biology, and why both hunters and non-hunters need to understand the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. He also shares personal stories about raising his kids in the outdoors, learning to hunt on his own, building trust with advocates and critics, and hosting “Hunter & Angler Happy Hours” across Colorado. If you care about Colorado wildlife, CPW decisions, hunting access, conservation funding, or keeping politics out of wildlife management, this is an episode you cannot miss. 👉 Support the mission: SaveTheHuntColorado.com 👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management Celebrate the Women of Conservation initiative - Buy your calendar today! https://markitmyway.chipply.com/crwm/product-detail-shell.aspx?pid=18789292&eid=355074&cid=2151159&lastaction=viewall Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/

In Episode 70 of Through the Gates, we sit down with Mark Lamm, former Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Area Wildlife Manager with 39 years of on-the-ground experience stewarding Colorado’s wildlife, habitat, and public lands. Mark’s career spanned duties as a district wildlife manager, area wildlife manager, mentor to younger officers, and a leading voice for practical, science-based wildlife conservation across South Park, Gilpin/Clear Creek, Jefferson County, and the Front Range interface. This episode provides one of the clearest inside looks at what responsible wildlife management actually requires—the biology, public pressure, politics, habitat work, fishery improvements, partner organizations, and the day-to-day realities of field officers who protect Colorado’s natural resources. We cover Mark’s early days in Aurora, decades serving Fairplay and South Park, the importance of habitat-driven management, the expanding challenges caused by population growth and recreation pressure, the Wolf reintroduction fallout, the growing influence of politics on wildlife decisions, and the partnerships that made some of Colorado’s most important habitat acquisitions possible. If you want a real, unfiltered look at what it takes to manage wildlife responsibly in Colorado, this is one of the most informative conversations we’ve ever recorded. Send us a text STREAM TO SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com - Thank you to our Sponsors - https://davistent.com/ https://minturnanglers.com/ https://salidagunshop.com/ https://www.coloradosheds.com/ https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/ https://rusticliving.com/