Through the Gates

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.

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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.
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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
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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.
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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.

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👉 Join CRWM: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
👉 Follow the fight for science-based wildlife management
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