In this special edition of Through the Gates, we sit down with Doug Barnes, a master taxidermist, lifelong sportsman, and conservation advocate based in Penrose, Colorado. Doug shares his journey from apprentice to award-winning artist, and explains how taxidermy is not just art—it’s a form of reverence for wildlife, rooted in the North American model of conservation.

Doug opens up about the evolution of taxidermy, the unseen impacts of predator management, and why hunters play a critical role in sustaining wildlife populations. From mounting bighorn sheep to speaking out against misinformation around hunting, Doug’s perspective is both deeply personal and widely relevant.

🔥 In this episode:

- How taxidermy honors animals and inspires conservation
- The ripple effect of predator overpopulation on deer and elk herds
- What most people misunderstand about hunters and “trophy” hunting
- The truth about tags, success rates, and wildlife management
- Why political efforts like Proposition 127 threaten more than just hunting

Whether you're a hunter, wildlife advocate, or curious about the role of artistry in conservation, this episode offers authentic insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

🎧 Tune in now and rediscover what it really means to Save the Hunt.

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