A new Colorado study puts hunting, fishing, conservation, and economic impact under the microscope.

The conversation between Kenya Link and Travis Thompson digs into Colorado’s ongoing debate over the constitutional right to hunt and fish, with a focus on conservation, outdoor recreation, and the economic role of hunters and anglers. They discuss a recent Common Sense Institute event examining the economic contributions of hunting and fishing, including the businesses, jobs, travel, and local spending connected to outdoor recreation.

The discussion then turns to Colorado Initiative 302, which would establish a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and take fish and wildlife while identifying hunting and fishing as preferred methods for responsibly managing wildlife populations. The measure is headed to Colorado voters in November 2026 and requires 55% approval because it would amend the state constitution.

Thompson and Link also walk through several arguments circulating around the proposal, including questions about “traditional methods,” the role of out-of-state organizations, and whether existing statutory protections already provide sufficient safeguards. They explain how supporters interpret those issues and point listeners toward the broader North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, wildlife management, and the relationship between hunting, fishing, habitat, and conservation funding.

For hunters, anglers, conservationists, and anyone interested in Colorado’s outdoors, the conversation provides context for understanding the policy debate and the arguments surrounding it.

Check out the study here: https://commonsenseinstituteus.org/research/the-economic-impact-of-hunting-and-fishing-and-its-connection-to-amendment-83-the-first-in-a-two-part-series/ 

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Hunting’s future depends on informed hunters willing to stand up before opportunities disappear.

Mia Anstine grew up hunting in rural Colorado, but her path into the outdoor industry has taken her far beyond the mountains. As a hunter, guide, writer, educator, podcaster, and conservation advocate, she has spent years helping people understand not only how to hunt and fish, but why those opportunities matter.

Mia shares the experiences that shaped her passion, from helping her uncle harvest his first bull elk to taking her daughter into the woods as a young child. She also explains how mentorship can bring more women and families into hunting while building a deeper understanding of wildlife and conservation.

The conversation turns toward one of the biggest issues facing Colorado hunters today: the effort to constitutionally protect the right to hunt and fish. Mia breaks down why science-based wildlife management matters, how misinformation can influence public opinion, and why hunters cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.

Listeners will also hear practical advice for becoming better advocates, educating non-hunters, finding mentors, prioritizing safety, and explaining the role hunters play in conservation without turning every conversation into a political fight.

Mia’s message is straightforward: hunting and fishing are worth protecting, but protecting them requires hunters to participate.

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What happens when hunters stop reacting and start protecting their way of life before the next fight?

Christine Keppen joins Hunt Fish Freedom for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, hounds, horses, ranching, conservation, and the fight to protect Colorado’s Western way of life. A lifelong Colorado native, cowgirl, hunter, houndswoman, mother, and agricultural media professional, Keppen offers a firsthand perspective on what it means to live a lifestyle increasingly caught between growing development, political pressure, and changing public perceptions.

The conversation digs into the fight surrounding Colorado’s Proposition 127 and what it taught hunters about the importance of defending every method of hunting, from mountain lion hunting with hounds to waterfowl hunting, bird dogs, and fishing. Keppen explains how the Colorado hunting community rallied together, educated the public, and built new connections between people who may have never considered themselves part of the same fight.

The group also explores the push for a constitutional right to hunt and fish, drawing lessons from Florida and discussing how proactive protections could change the way sportsmen respond to future threats. Along the way, Keppen shares why science-based wildlife management matters, how hunters can have productive conversations with non-hunters, and why simply talking to people outside your normal circle may be one of the most effective forms of conservation advocacy.

At its core, this is a conversation about family, food, stewardship, Western heritage, and making sure future generations still have the opportunity to hunt and fish.

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Follow Christineon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissy_koeppen/ 

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Colorado’s hunting future may depend on whether sportsmen stop taking their outdoor heritage for granted.

Colorado has a deep hunting tradition, but keeping that tradition alive takes more than time in the field.

Adam Welbon joins Kenia Link to talk about growing up in Colorado, learning to hunt through DIY public land adventures, and why sheep hunting has become his passion. Fresh off a successful Dall sheep hunt, Adam also shares what he has learned through his work with the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and why wildlife conservation requires far more than simply writing a check to a nonprofit.

The conversation digs into the connection between hunting, fishing, wildlife management, habitat, and the funding generated by sportsmen. Adam explains how hunting and fishing dollars support conservation projects and why hunters should understand the responsibility that comes with being consumptive users of wildlife.

The discussion also turns toward Colorado’s ongoing fight over constitutional protections for hunting and fishing. Adam explains why he believes hunters and anglers cannot assume those opportunities will always exist, why Colorado’s wildlife professionals need room to manage wildlife based on science, and why sportsmen outside Colorado have a stake in what happens there.

From bighorn sheep and elk hunting to black bear and whitetail plans, this is a conversation about the future of Western hunting, the importance of mentorship, and what it means to pass an outdoor heritage on to the next generation.

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Check Out The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society: https://bighornsheep.org/ 

Follow Adam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Adamhunts4food/ 

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The future of hunting and fishing in Colorado could depend on what happens this November.

Jann Demaske grew up in a Wyoming hunting and fishing family, where deer camp, fishing trips, and filling the freezer were simply part of life. Today, that heritage has grown into a lifetime of wildlife conservation, wild sheep advocacy, mentorship, and work with organizations including the Wild Sheep Foundation and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society.

Jann joins Kenia Link to talk about the experiences that transformed her from a lifelong hunter into a passionate conservation advocate. She explains how buying a Colorado bighorn sheep tag changed the trajectory of her involvement in wildlife conservation, why wild sheep and mountain hunting inspire such a dedicated community, and what harvesting a mature ram taught her about the responsibility that comes with hunting.

The conversation also explores raising daughters in the hunting community, the growth of women’s hunting and fishing, the importance of mentorship, and why getting more families into the outdoors matters for the future of conservation.

Most importantly, Jann discusses Colorado’s effort to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish, what hunters learned from previous wildlife ballot initiatives, and why sportsmen and women cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. From science-based wildlife management to reaching non-hunters, this is a candid look at the fight to protect hunting, fishing, and outdoor heritage for generations to come.

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Colorado’s hunting future depends on informed sportsmen willing to protect wildlife, heritage, and public access.

Hunting is about far more than filling a tag. It's about stewardship, personal responsibility, and protecting the traditions that connect people to wildlife and the outdoors.

Colorado hunter and conservation advocate Cassie Melvin shares her journey from growing up camping and fishing in Georgia to becoming a passionate public land hunter in the Rocky Mountains. She explains how backpack hunting, elk hunting, and harvesting wild game reshaped her understanding of conservation while giving her a deeper appreciation for where food comes from.

The conversation explores why hunters are among the strongest advocates for healthy wildlife populations, how science-based wildlife management benefits everyone, and why keeping those decisions in the hands of professional biologists matters. Cassie also discusses Colorado's recent wildlife ballot initiatives, the debate surrounding wolf reintroduction, mountain lion hunting, and why protecting the right to hunt and fish has become one of the state's most important conservation issues.

Listeners will also hear practical encouragement for women interested in hunting, advice on finding mentors, building confidence in the field, and becoming active voices for the future of hunting and fishing. The episode wraps up with stories from Colorado elk season, favorite public land destinations, backpack hunting gear, and the outdoor experiences that continue to fuel a lifelong passion for conservation.

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Colorado's hunting future hinges on one vote that could reshape conservation across the West.

For generations, hunting and fishing have been more than recreation in Colorado. They have been a way to provide food, fund wildlife conservation, and pass outdoor traditions to the next generation. That future is now on the ballot.

Logan Holtz joins the conversation to explain why Colorado's proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish matters far beyond state lines. Drawing from years of experience with Howl for Wildlife, Colorado's Sportsmen's Roundtable, and a career across the hunting industry, Logan shares what he's witnessed firsthand as ballot initiatives continue challenging hunting and wildlife management.

The discussion explores how urban growth has widened the disconnect between people and wildlife, why science-based wildlife management should guide decisions instead of public opinion, and how hunters can become stronger advocates for conservation. Logan also explains how hunting license dollars support habitat, why Colorado's elk, mule deer, and public lands make it a cornerstone of Western hunting, and what success in Colorado could mean for protecting hunting opportunities across the West.

Whether you chase elk in the Rockies, hunt whitetails in the Midwest, or simply care about the future of public lands, this conversation offers practical insight into why showing up for conservation has never mattered more.

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Florida's groundbreaking conservation victory could reshape the future of hunting and fishing across America.

Millions of Florida voters made history by permanently protecting the right to hunt and fish through a constitutional amendment, creating a blueprint that sportsmen across the country are now watching closely. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joins the conversation to explain why securing these freedoms before they're threatened is one of the most important conservation victories in recent memory.

The discussion explores how hunting, fishing, agriculture, and wildlife conservation are deeply connected, from Florida's Wildlife Corridor to Rural and Family Lands conservation easement programs that protect hundreds of thousands of acres of working farms, wildlife habitat, and public outdoor opportunities. You'll also hear why science-based wildlife management remains essential for healthy game populations, what recent court victories mean for hunters and anglers, and how constitutional protections are already influencing wildlife policy in Florida.

Whether you're passionate about whitetail deer hunting, waterfowl hunting, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, habitat conservation, or protecting public access for future generations, this conversation offers valuable insight into how conservation policy directly impacts life in the outdoors.

As more states face organized efforts to restrict hunting and fishing traditions, Florida's success demonstrates how hunters, anglers, conservationists, and farmers can work together to protect America's outdoor heritage for generations to come.

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Florida's groundbreaking conservation victory could reshape the future of hunting and fishing across America.

Millions of Florida voters made history by permanently protecting the right to hunt and fish through a constitutional amendment, creating a blueprint that sportsmen across the country are now watching closely. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joins the conversation to explain why securing these freedoms before they're threatened is one of the most important conservation victories in recent memory.

The discussion explores how hunting, fishing, agriculture, and wildlife conservation are deeply connected, from Florida's Wildlife Corridor to Rural and Family Lands conservation easement programs that protect hundreds of thousands of acres of working farms, wildlife habitat, and public outdoor opportunities. You'll also hear why science-based wildlife management remains essential for healthy game populations, what recent court victories mean for hunters and anglers, and how constitutional protections are already influencing wildlife policy in Florida.

Whether you're passionate about whitetail deer hunting, waterfowl hunting, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, habitat conservation, or protecting public access for future generations, this conversation offers valuable insight into how conservation policy directly impacts life in the outdoors.

As more states face organized efforts to restrict hunting and fishing traditions, Florida's success demonstrates how hunters, anglers, conservationists, and farmers can work together to protect America's outdoor heritage for generations to come.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, conservation, and outdoor conversations.

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A single legislative victory reveals why America’s hunting and fishing heritage deserves lasting protection.

Lauren Melo helped lead one of the most significant conservation victories in recent history by making Florida the 24th state to constitutionally protect the right to hunt and fish. Her story reaches far beyond politics, revealing how family traditions, public lands, wildlife conservation, and time outdoors shape generations of hunters and anglers.

Raised hunting quail, chasing waterfowl through the Everglades, bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee, and learning firearm safety alongside her father, Lauren shares how those experiences prepared her to champion one of the nation's most important hunting and fishing initiatives. The conversation explores the legislative battles behind Amendment 2, the grassroots campaign that united millions of Floridians, and why protecting outdoor access matters for everyone, whether they hunt and fish or not.

The discussion also breaks down the difference between conservation and preservation, how sportsmen and women fund wildlife management, and why constitutional protections are becoming increasingly important as development, public access, and anti-hunting efforts continue to reshape the American outdoors. From duck blinds and tarpon fishing to youth mentorship, hunting heritage, and the future of public participation in conservation, this conversation offers a compelling look at what is truly at stake for the next generation.

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