In Episode 56 of Through the Gates, we sit down with Patt Dorsey, former Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) leader and current Regional Director for the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). With decades of experience at the intersection of wildlife biology, policy, and public engagement, Patt shares valuable insight into the challenges of managing Colorado’s wildlife amid political and social pressures.

This conversation covers everything from the role of ballot-box biology and public perception in conservation, to the importance of expert-driven management in balancing the needs of wildlife, hunters, and non-consumptive users alike. Patt also discusses her career journey from CPW to NWTF, what she’s learned along the way, and why she believes collaboration and trust in science are more important than ever for the future of conservation.

If you’re interested in Colorado politics, wildlife management, and the growing tensions between science and advocacy, this episode provides both a candid perspective and a hopeful call to action.

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

Watch More Episodes of Through the Gates here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

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.

https://www.mikesell4gov.com/
@MikesellforGovernor

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

Watch More Episodes of Through the Gates here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

In Episode 54 of Through the Gates, we dive into the challenges and opportunities facing Colorado’s outfitters and guides. From navigating shifting wildlife policies to ensuring fair access for hunters and landowners, this conversation highlights the critical role outfitters play in both conservation and Colorado’s outdoor economy.

Guests break down how ballot-box biology, shifting regulations, and public pressure are impacting the future of outfitting. They share firsthand experiences about running hunts, working with landowners, and keeping Colorado’s hunting traditions alive in the face of increasing scrutiny.

This is a must-listen for hunters, guides, and anyone passionate about the future of wildlife management in Colorado and beyond.

https://coloradooutfitters.org/

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

Watch More Episodes of Through the Gates here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

In this episode of Through the Gates, host Dan Gates speaks with John Aliss of United Houndsmen of Colorado and Austin Parr of Discount Fishing Tackle about the latest challenges facing hunters, anglers, and conservationists at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

From debates on live bait bans, fur-bearing animals, and beaver management groups, to broader issues like rewilding, eminent domain, and anti-hunting initiatives, this conversation sheds light on the growing threats to science-based wildlife management.

Both guests share their firsthand experiences at commission meetings, the importance of showing up, and why Colorado sportsmen and women must stay engaged in defending the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

@UnitedHoundsmen
https://www.discountfishingdenver.com

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

Watch More Episodes of Through the Gates here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

After a short update about wolf legislation, beaver and fur bearer working groups and the continued undermining efforts of the anti-hunters we jump back to the 2025 Outdoorsman Days event where Dan had the opportunity to sit downed with Fred Eichler and Ralph Cianciarulo.

Fred Eichler highlights the importance of passing down traditions, building community, and ensuring that wildlife management stays rooted in science—not politics. @fredeichler

Ralph joins the conversation with passion and urgency, stressing the rural–urban divide in understanding hunting and trapping. He explains how ballot-box biology and emotional activism threaten Colorado’s future, and why events like Outdoorsman Days give sportsmen and women a platform to educate, connect, and push back against misinformation. @The_Choice_TV

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

Watch More Episodes of Through the Gates here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

In Episode 51 of Through the Gates, we head to the Furtakers of America Convention in Spencer, Iowa to uncover the challenges hunters, trappers, and conservationists are facing as politics, activism, and ballot-box biology threaten the future of wildlife management. Dan meets with Paul Antczak, Bret Bohn and Ivy O’Guinn - stars of the History Channel series "Mountain Men," as well as Iowa DNR conservation officer Katherine Hoeppner. The guests share stories from the field, and the opportunity they have with their respective roles to educate about the North American Model and the role of sustainable hunting and trapping.

Whether you’re a hunter, angler, landowner, or wildlife enthusiast, this episode delivers an unfiltered look at the fight to protect traditions, working lands, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

👉 Subscribe to Through the Gates for more unfiltered conversations about conservation, politics, and protecting the future of our outdoor heritage.

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

#IowaWildlife #HuntingRights #SaveTheHunt #ThroughTheGates #BallotBoxBiology #WildlifeConservation #HuntingHeritage #NorthAmericanModel

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

Celebrate the first 50 episodes of the Through the Gates podcast with producer Sean Ender as look back at some of our featured guests and their stories of conservation, wildlife management, hunting adventures and more. This compilation celebrates our accomplishments with the show thus far as we look to expand upon the relationships we've built and set ourselves up for success in our ongoing effort to defend the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Save the Hunt.

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

In case you missed some previous episodes, take a step back and listen to the full episodes featured in this compilation!

06:26 - Ep. 3 - Boone and Crockett
08:16 - Ep. 8 - Wild Sheep Foundation
10:55 - Ep. 22 - Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
12:19 - Ep. 22 - Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society
13:52 - Ep. 11 - Falconry
15:22 - Ep. 14 - Kody Lostroh
17:54 - Ep. 15 - Trapping in the Yukon Territory
19:12 - Ep. 16 - Christine Koeppen
20:29 - Ep. 33 - Jeremiah Wilber and War Party Movement
24:47 - Ep. 43 - Lion attacks and Duluth Underwear
29:03 - Ep. 8 - Bighorn Sheep Biology
31:23 - Ep. 20 - Wildlife Services and Sage Grouse Conservation
36:13 - Ep. 18 - Colorado Gun Laws, 2A
38:39 - Ep. 41 - Copper Creek Wolf Pack Kill in Middle Park
40:35 - Ep. 48 - Copper Creek Wolf Pack Impacts in Pitkin County
42:36 - Ep. 35 - Randy Newberg and Defeating Proposition 127
44:59 - Ep. 39 - Ovis Wildlife

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

In this episode of Through the Gates, we sit down with Shorty Gorham, world-renowned PBR bullfighter and proud advocate for science-based wildlife conservation. From 27 years in the arena to the dedicated life of a houndsman, Shorty shares an unfiltered look at his lifestyle, commitment, and the grit behind protecting bull riders and the hunting tradition.

We cover:
- His rise in Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
- What it takes to fight bulls at the highest level
- Life after retirement
- His passion for hounds and mountain lion hunting

👊 This is more than a rodeo story — it’s about brotherhood, mental toughness, and protecting a way of life.

🔗 Brought to you by Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
🎯 Learn more: https://savethehuntcolorado.com

STREAM TO SHOW -
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com
https://www.youtube.com/@ThroughTheGatesPodcast

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/

Send us a text

STREAM TO SHOW -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcMnqu5zxI&list=PLVjalEoOauqM3xLSHrq3FO680x-XriQcD
https://throughthegates.buzzsprout.com

- Thank you to our Sponsors -
https://davistent.com/
https://minturnanglers.com/
https://salidagunshop.com/