Through the Gates

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 95 - Commissions, Activists & the Future of Hunting Apr 21, 2026

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In this episode of Through the Gates, we break down the rapidly evolving landscape of wildlife management in Colorado and beyond. From upcoming Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission confirmations to the continued fallout from Proposition 127, this episode dives deep into the political, cultural, and scientific battles shaping the future of hunting, trapping, and conservation.
We also examine the growing influence of animal rights activism, spotlighting key figures, messaging strategies, and how these campaigns are impacting policy decisions at the state and national level. With major events like Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol, upcoming commission meetings, and potential ballot initiatives on the horizon, now is the time to stay informed and engaged.
If you care about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, public trust resources, and the role of hunters and anglers in conservation, this episode is a must-listen.

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Ep. 77 - Colorado Gators Dec 12, 2025

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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.

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Ep. 74 - Rokcast Dec 02, 2025

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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

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Ep. 55 - Inside Colorado Politics: Jason Mikesell Sep 05, 2025

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In Episode 55 of Through the Gates, we sit down with Teller County Sheriff and CO Governor Candidate Jason Mikesell to break down the political forces shaping Colorado’s future. This conversation digs into the reality of ballot-box biology, rural vs. urban divides, and the growing influence of Denver politics on communities across the state.
We explore how decisions at the Capitol and by appointed commissions are impacting ranchers, landowners, and everyday Coloradans — often with little transparency or accountability. Beyond wildlife policy, the discussion dives into Colorado’s broader political issues: rising crime, ongoing debates over immigration, the state’s failing infrastructure and roads, and how these challenges are compounded by top-down policies that don’t reflect rural realities. From the wolf reintroduction controversy to the spread of anti-consumptive initiatives, this episode highlights why Colorado’s political landscape is shifting and why citizens must stay engaged.
If you care about Colorado politics, rural representation, and the future of our state’s decision-making process, this episode is for you.
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👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.
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🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

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Ep. 45 - Save the Hunt - The Model Jul 23, 2025

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In this episode of Through the Gates, we revisit the 7 Tenets of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation—the foundation of science-based wildlife management in the U.S. and Canada. Host Dan Gates breaks down each principle and how they’re being threatened by ballot box biology, misinformation, and political agendas.
Featuring a powerful speech from conservation icon Shane Mahoney, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who cares about public land access, ethical hunting, and the future of wildlife management in North America.
🎯 Learn how to use these 7 tenets as tools to educate others, influence policy, and defend the model that has sustained wildlife populations for over a century.
🔗 Download the educational video series: https://f.io/kBZpUsX2
🌐 Visit https://savethehuntcolorado.com to get involved.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: Defending the North American Model
1:00 – Why the 7 Tenets Matter
3:00 – Eroding the North American Model
4:27 – Tenet 1: Wildlife as a Public Resource
6:03 - Tenet 2: Markets
8:35 - Tenet 3: Law
9:28 - Tenet 4: Legitimate Purpose
10:42 - Tenet 5: International Resource
11:53 - Tenet 6: Science
13:03 - Tenet 7: Democracy
14:34 – Shane Mahoney’s Speech
28:25 – Take Action & Save the Hunt
#NorthAmericanModel #WildlifeConservation #DanGates #ShaneMahoney #BallotBoxBiology #SaveTheHunt #WildlifeManagement #PublicLands #TrappingDebate #FurHarvest #ScienceBasedPolicy #EthicalHunting #ColoradoWildlife #ThroughTheGatesPodcast

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Ep. 41 - Through the Gates - Blood on the Range Jul 02, 2025

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Inside Colorado's Troubling Wolf Reintroduction:
In this explosive Through the Gates episode, fifth-generation ranchers Tim Ritschard and Doug Bruchez expose the truth behind the state’s wolf reintroduction fallout.This is the raw truth that chronicles exactly what has happened on the ground; from mass depredations, the total betrayal of a management plan, biologists and ranchers being kept in the dark and a political agenda determined to dismantle the Western lifestyle and wildlife management.
💥 This is a real-world experience and timeline for those impacted by ballot box biology. Whether you voted for wolf reintroduction or not, this conversation shares the graphic reality of agenda driven wildlife management.
🎯 Inside This Episode:
- Firsthand accounts of livestock losses from the Copper Creek wolf pack.
- What Colorado Parks & Wildlife didn’t tell ranchers—and how they found out the hard way.
- A timeline of reintroduction and kills including the mass killing of over 33 calves.
- The high human cost: stress, health issues, and broken trust.
- How wildlife professionals and ranchers are both being hung out to dry by CPW brass and higher level politicians.
- Why Colorado Parks and Wildlife ignored their own wolf management plan.
- The emotional, economic, and ecological toll of ballot-box biology
- Why Colorado ranchers say the wolves are just pawns in a political game.
- Why compensation laws don’t begin to cover the losses
🔔 Subscribe to Through the Gates for honest, hard-hitting conversations from the frontlines of conservation, wildlife management, and the fight to Save the Hunt.
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#WolfReintroduction #ColoradoRanchers #ThroughTheGatesPodcast #WolvesInColorado #CPW #LivestockLoss #SaveTheHunt #MiddleParkColorado #RanchLife #PredatorPolitics

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Ep. 20 - Through the Gates - Wildlife Services 2.0 Apr 04, 2025

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Martin Lowney, retired Wildlife Services biologist is back for a deep dive into the intricacies of wildlife management and interagency collaboration that works for wildlife. We're covering a lot this week including NEPA, wildlife lawsuits, threatened Gunnison Sage Grouse, conflicts with city geese, shorebird restoration with the Nature Conservancy, how Colorado's politicians have disparaged science-based wildlife management and so much more!

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Ep. 6 - Save the Hunt - Arizona's Hunting Dog Bill Jan 29, 2025

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On this week's Save the Hunt update Dan Gates dives into Arizona House bill 2552. A recent citizen petition to Arizona's wildlife commission attempted to ban the use of all hunting dogs. This piece of legislature would ensure that the commission "Shall Not Prohibit the Use of Dogs." Support efforts like this to ensure the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is allowed to continue to thrive and we keep our hunting heritage.
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Ep. 3 - Save the Hunt - Boone & Crockett/Hunting Community Jan 15, 2025

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From the International Sportsmen's Expo, Through the Gates is joined by Jodi Stemler of the Boone & Crockett Club and her daughter Sophie. Jodi, the Communications Director for B&C discusses the organization's history, scoring as a way to track species health, Fair Chase and the evolving arena of ethical hunting. Sophie shares about her community of hunters in college and the next generation spreading the story to Save the Hunt.
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Ep. 1 - Through the Gates - How We Saved the Hunt Jan 07, 2025

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On the premiere of Through the Gates, host Dan Gates is joined by Sean Ender from Peak to Creek Films as they look back on the monumental effort to defeat Proposition 127 - the hunting ban in Colorado. Dan Gates and his organization the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management led the fight, alongside Colorado's Wildlife Deserve Better, working with Peak to Creek on messaging for the sportsmen and women to join the movement, educational content on social media and ad campaigns to that told the story of responsible wildlife management to a voting public that was engaged and invested in true wildlife conservation.

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