Ep. 112 - Common Ground: Ryan Callaghan on Building Conservation Coalitions

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, public lands, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation requires more than buying a hunting license—it requires action.Together, Ryan and Dan discuss:• Ryan's journey from guide to conservation leader• Behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of MeatEater• Why coalition building is the future of conservation• Public lands, access, and the biggest threats facing hunters today• Oregon's IP 28 and what it could mean nationwide• Colorado's Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish initiative• How hunters, anglers, ranchers, agriculture, recreation groups, and public land users can work together instead of being divided• Why advocacy matters just as much as time spent in the fieldIf you care about hunting, fishing, conservation, wildlife management, public lands, or the future of the outdoors, this is an episode you don't want to miss.SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADOSign the Initiative 302 petition: savecoheritage.orgDonate to CRWM: savethehuntcolorado.com/support-usLearn more: savethehuntcolorado.comFollow CRWM on Facebook: facebook.com/savethehuntcoloradoFollow CRWM on Instagram: instagram.com/c.r.w.m00:00 Introduction & Mission to Save the Hunt00:43 Meet Ryan Callaghan01:32 Ryan's Background & Growing Up in Montana04:00 Building First Lite & Early Conservation Work07:00 Joining MeatEater & Leading Backcountry Hunters & Anglers09:20 New Fatherhood & Life Updates10:35 How Ryan Ended Up at MeatEater18:30 From Outdoor Jobs to Conservation Leadership23:45 Why Hunting Advocacy Matters25:45 Coalition Building Over Division28:10 Lessons from Ranching Communities32:40 Why Hunters Must Stop Fighting Each Other33:20 Public Lands & Responsible Recreation37:15 Politics vs. Policy40:05 Supporting Businesses that Support Hunting41:40 Conservation, Agriculture & Finding Common Ground45:30 Responsible Resource Development50:45 Oregon IP 28 Explained57:30 Colorado's Right to Hunt & Fish Movement1:03:30 Why Join Backcountry Hunters & Anglers?1:06:20 Building Stronger Conservation Coalitions1:12:20 Volunteerism & Stewardship1:15:40 Reaching Non-Hunters Through Conservation1:17:45 Why Wildlife Management Shouldn't Be Decided by Emotion1:20:00 Final Thoughts & Call to ActionRyan Callaghan, Dan Gates, MeatEater Podcast, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Daniel Gates, Through the Gates Podcast, public lands, hunting rights, right to hunt and fish, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, conservation, wildlife management, Colorado hunting, Oregon IP 28, hunting advocacy, fishing rights, public land access, hunters united, wildlife conservation, hunting podcast, outdoor podcast, science-based wildlife management.