Through the Gates

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 pressur...

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 wor...

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 repl...

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...

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, ho...

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 i...

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,...

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 wi...

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 reduci...

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 at...

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.

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, Gilpi...

In this episode of Through the Gates, Dan takes listeners inside Colorado’s Furbearer Management Working Group — where the growing divide between science-based wildlife management and emotional, anti-hunting ideology is on full display.

He breaks down how certain activist organizations are pushing to shift Colorado’s wildlife policies away from ecosystem-level conservation toward the protection of individual animals, chall...

In this Through the Gates update, Dan breaks down the latest in Colorado’s wildlife politics—from the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission meeting and fur-bearer regulations to the future of bison, wolverine and beaver management.

He shares why science-based wildlife management matters more than ever and exposes how emotion-driven policy threatens the North American Model of Conservation. We're pulling excerpts fr...

In this episode of Through the Gates, host Dan Gates sits down with his counterpart in the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project , Gaspar Perricone, to peel the curtain on the intricacies of wildlife policies. This episode provides valuable insight into the process and procedures of wildlife policy making from the commission through the legislature and ballot initiatives. Get educated on the process, strategy and opportunity to jo...

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmt7lFtTKh0&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD&index=1

Join Dan Gates on this unique episode of Through the Gates Podcast as he visits the Museum of the Fur Trade. Dan is joined by museum Director NaKaya Fester who discusses the story of the museum, history of the fur trade and how modern fur trade contributes to responsible wildlife management and use of na...

First and Foremost Mike Sells is a trapper and we're lucky to be able to share his life story from running away from home, learning how to trap, becoming an influence in the industry all while balancing his job as a game warden. His story spans decades of dedication to wildlife management, trapping traditions, and defending the North American Model against extremist agendas.

Hear firsthand stories from the field—findi...

In this episode of Through the Gates, we sit down with Caitlyn Taussig to dig deep into the crossroads of agriculture, wildlife management and ever growing Urban/Rural Divide. Dan and Caitlyn discuss how it’s impacting rural communities, ranching families, and the future of wildlife management. We explore the growing urban–rural divide, misunderstandings between Front Range residents and Western Slope producers, and why knowing whe...

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While you're out in the woods pursuing your passion, remember that Dan Gates and the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management continue to fight for your ability to do so. Fresh off another Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting Dan recaps much of ...