Through the Gates

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...

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 ...

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 huntin...

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 brea...

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 ...

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 wildlif...

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-...

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 Con...

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, m...

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,...

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...

***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 C...

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 polit...

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, stew...

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 reshapin...

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 ...

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 politi...

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 ...

In this special election edition of Through the Gates, Dan Gates sits down with Colorado gubernatorial candidates Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and Victor Marx for two in-depth conversations about the future of the Centennial State.

From wildlife conservation and hunting heritage to public safety, energy, education, agriculture, water policy, the wolf introduction debate, Second Amendment rights, and government accountability, both candida...