Episode 74 - Colorado’s Right to Hunt Fight and the Future of Wildlife Management

Episode 74 - Colorado’s Right to Hunt Fight and the Future of Wildlife Management

From The Sportsmen's Voice | Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Advocacy with Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation by Fred Bird | Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

May 14, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 74

About this episode

The episode discusses the fight for hunting rights in Colorado and the implications for wildlife management.

Colorado sportsmen are fighting to protect hunting traditions before activists permanently reshape wildlife management. Colorado has become ground zero in the national battle over hunting, fishing, trapping, and science-based wildlife management. In this conversation, Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management and Luke Hilgemann of the International Order of T. Roosevelt break down the growing push for a constitutional right to hunt and fish amendment in Colorado and why sportsmen across the country should be paying attention. The discussion dives deep into the aftermath of Proposition 127, mounting pressure from animal rights organizations, predator hunting politics, wolf management, and how wildlife commissions are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for public lands and hunting access. Listeners will hear how conservation groups, outfitters, ranchers, anglers, trappers, and hunting organizations are building a coalition to defend Colorado’s outdoor heritage before more restrictions take hold. Dan and Luke explain what the amendment would actually do, what it would not do, and why misconceptions around hunting rights, trapping, firearms, and wildlife policy…

People in this episode

Host: Fred Bird

Guests: Dan Gates, Luke Hilgemann

Topics covered

  • hunting rights
  • wildlife management
  • conservation
  • animal rights
  • public lands
  • outdoor heritage

Keywords

  • hunting traditions
  • wildlife commissions
  • predator hunting
  • wolf management
  • conservation funding

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, International Order of T. Roosevelt

Places: Colorado

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