by Cody McLaughlin - Tuesday, August 13, 2024
After a minor setback in Oregon last year, where a right to hunt and fish (RTHF) amendment failed to make the November 2024 ballot, state hunters and anglers still have something to be thankful for because animal rights extremists also failed in their recent attempt to get a proposed ballot initiative banning hunting and fishing on the ballot—marking a solid victory in protecting the future of hunting and fishing in their state ... for now.
Now, as sportsmen around the nation eagerly wait for the next battleground in the fight to ensure hunting and angling access and opportunities for generations to come, observers turn their eyes toward the Sunshine State, where hunters and anglers are about to vote on adding a RTHF amendment to their state constitution on Nov. 5.
Florida, which garnered more than $22 million from Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds last year—one of the highest of any state—is poised to be the next battleground in the fight to safeguard the rights of sportsmen. And in a state whose identity and conservation funding are so inseparably tied to the sporting lifestyle, this amendment can’t come at a more opportune time.
For those who are unaware, making sure every state has a RTHF amendment added to its state constitution has been a primary goal of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action’s (NRA-ILA) State & Local Affairs Division for nearly 20 years. That must be a factor in why, in an overwhelming show of support, the Florida House voted 116-0 and the Florida Senate voted 38-1 in favor of House Joint Resolution 1157, putting the amendment on the ballot as a question to voters on Nov. 5. Voters now have the power to decide whether to amend their state constitution and formally protect these cherished outdoor traditions.
The ballot amendment text reads: “Fishing, hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, shall be preserved forever as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. This section does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV.”
“Hunting, fishing and harvesting wildlife are not only cherished American traditions, but when paired with science are an integral part of wildlife management and conservation,” said NRA-ILA, in a statement applauding the move when the state announced that the proposed initiative would be added to the 2024 ballot. “Unfortunately, misguided extremists have been trying for decades to incrementally, or outright, ban hunting, fishing and harvesting wildlife. This amendment guarantees the sporting traditions that you have enjoyed will still be around for future generations of Americans and that regulations will be based on sound science. Currently, 23 other states have similar provisions in their constitutions.”
Sportsmen across the nation should look to anti-hunting bellwethers in Oregon and beyond when deciding whether to take the RTHF amendment fight seriously. We must understand that we simply can't afford to take these freedoms for granted. This RTHF amendment, if passed, will be a powerful weapon in deterring attempts by anti-hunting and fishing groups in the state to ban these activities and ensure a sporting future for Sunshine State residents.
About the Author
Cody McLaughlin is an outdoor writer, conservationist and hunting advocate based in Alaska. He recently launched Trout Stream Studios where he serves as an executive producer for podcasts and livestreams in the hunting and veterans’ affairs spaces. McLaughlin serves on the board of the Alaska Outdoor Council, the Last Frontier’s State NRA affiliate, and is a former board member and lead spokesman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance.