Three weeks after a state lawmaker promised to introduce legislation to permanently protect hunting, fishing and raising animals for food in Oregon, a different woman announced plans for a ballot measure to address the same issue.
Kari Goodhart said it was so ridiculous that Initiative Petition 28, which would have made hunting, fishing and ranching a crime, almost qualified for the 2026 ballot that she filed paperwork to counter that. IP 25 would amend the state constitution so Oregonians “have an individual, fundamental right to hunt, fish, trap, farm, ranch, raise livestock, cultivate crops, harvest natural resources, and engage in generally accepted practices of agriculture, animal husbandry and scientifically based wildlife management.”
Goodheart needs to gather more than 156,000 approved signatures for it to qualify for the 2028 ballot.
Sen. Christine Drazen unveiled a draft bill in early August to amend the Oregon Constitution, which would “declare a constitutional right to hunt, fish, harvest wildlife, gather wild foods and plants and raise livestock, poultry, crops, trees and other resources.” It would also “promote conservation or management of wildlife or other natural resources for present and future generations.”
For Drazen’s proposal to legislatively qualify for the 2028 ballot, it first must be introduced in the 2027 legislative session and then approved by state lawmakers. Oregon Democrats currently own a super majority in both the Oregon State Senate and Oregon House of Representatives. Drazen is a Republican, who is also running for governor.
At that time, David Michelson, IP 28 chief petitioner, told the Oregon Capital Chronicle that even if Drazen’s measure qualifies for the ballot, he would also be able to use the ballot initiative process for his measure in the future. However, constitutional changes, as proposed by both Goodhart and Drazan, would likely preclude a statutory measure as IP28 contained.
Several Oregon hunting conservation organizations are evaluating the language of the two proposals and, following the November elections, are expected to determine a strategy for 2028.
About Hunt 2 Conserve
Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.
