An Oregon ballot measure that would have effectively criminalized hunting, fishing, ranching, and other activities has failed to qualify for the November ballot. Initiative Petition 28, also known as the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions Act or the PEACE Act, sought to remove exemptions in Oregon’s animal-cruelty statutes that protect lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, ranching, farming, pest control, and accepted animal-husbandry practices.
Consequences of the Proposal
If passed, the proposal would have classified killing or injuring an animal as abuse unless it was necessary to prevent immediate harm to a person or another animal. This would have had significant consequences for hunters, anglers, ranchers, and farmers, who could have faced criminal charges for their activities.
The proposal was opposed by a broad coalition of groups, including the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, and Oregon Hunters Association. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley also spoke out against the measure.
Impact on Wildlife Management
The defeat of the ballot measure is a victory for hunters, anglers, and conservationists, who argue that regulated hunting and fishing are essential for wildlife management. Hunters and anglers provide significant funding for conservation efforts through license sales and federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, and fishing gear.
Travis Thompson, a conservation advocate, noted that sportsmen’s contributions support a wide range of activities, including land acquisition, boat-ramp maintenance, youth programs, and wildlife research. Thompson emphasized that wildlife policy must be driven by science, rather than emotions or feelings.
The failure of the ballot measure is also a reminder that the effort to eliminate hunting and fishing rights is not going away. Supporters of the proposal have made it clear that they view this as a long-term campaign, and they will likely continue to push for similar initiatives in the future.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
