Ep. 111 - Will Primos: A Conservation Calling

<p>What does it take to build one of the most recognizable brands in hunting while becoming one of the strongest voices for wildlife conservation?</p><p>In this episode of <b>Through the Gates</b>, Dan Gates sits down with legendary hunter, entrepreneur, conservationist, and Primos Hunting founder <b>Will Primos</b> for one of the most personal and insightful interviews he's ever given.</p><p>Will shares the incredible story behind building <b>Primos Hunting</b> from a garage startup into one of the biggest names in the outdoor industry. He discusses the evolution of game calls, hunting videos, elk calling, turkey hunting, business leadership, and how timing, innovation, and authenticity changed hunting forever.</p><p>More importantly, Will explains why <b>science-based wildlife management</b>, the <b>North American Model of Wildlife Conservation</b>, and educating the non-hunting public are more important today than ever before.</p><h2>In this episode:</h2><p>• The incredible story behind founding Primos Hunting</p><p>• Building a hunting company from a garage</p><p>• How VHS tapes revolutionized hunting education</p><p>• Why authenticity built one of hunting's biggest brands</p><p>• The evolution of turkey, deer and elk calling</p><p>• Product innovation inside Primos</p><p>• Entrepreneurship lessons from growing a national company</p><p>• The importance of habitat conservation</p><p>• Why science—not emotion—must guide wildlife management</p><p>• Educating non-hunters about conservation</p><p>If you believe in conserving wildlife through science-based management, responsible hunting, and protecting the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, be sure to subscribe and join us for future episodes.</p><hr /><p>SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH IN COLORADO</p><p>Sign the Initiative 302 petition: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://savecoheritage.org" target="_blank">savecoheritage.org</a></p><p>Donate to CRWM: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us" target="_blank">savethehuntcolorado.com/support-us</a></p><p>Learn more: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://savethehuntcolorado.com" target="_blank">savethehuntcolorado.com</a></p><p>Follow CRWM on Facebook: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado" target="_blank">facebook.com/savethehuntcolorado</a></p><p>Follow CRWM on Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/c.r.w.m" target="_blank">instagram.com/c.r.w.m</a></p><hr /><h2>CHAPTERS</h2><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>00:44 Meet Will Primos</p><p>01:39 Growing up and early influences</p><p>06:57 Starting Primos Hunting in a garage</p><p>09:58 Audio cassettes that changed hunting</p><p>11:42 The birth of hunting videos</p><p>17:06 Timing, innovation &amp; entrepreneurship</p><p>18:02 Conservation begins with education</p><p>20:31 Building the Primos brand</p><p>22:00 Expanding beyond turkey calls</p><p>27:58 Product innovation &amp; Trigger Stick</p><p>37:50 Conservation becomes the mission</p><p>42:58 Teaching the next generation</p><p>48:59 Ballot box biology &amp; public education</p><p>53:24 Challenges facing hunting today</p><p>56:10 Why everyone impacts wildlife habitat</p><p>1:00:51 Future hunting plans &amp; favorite adventures</p><p>1:05:03 Final thoughts from Will Primos</p><p>1:06:03 Colorado Outfitters Association</p><p>1:06:50 Mintern Anglers</p><p>1:07:07 Rustic Living</p><p>1:08:09 Outro</p><hr /><h2>Keywords</h2><p>Will Primos, Primos Hunting, hunting podcast, Dan Gates, elk hunting, turkey hunting, deer hunting, wildlife conservation, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, science-based wildlife management, conservation podcast, elk calling, turkey calls, hunting industry, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Colorado hunting, hunting heritage, wildlife management, public lands</p>