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Ohio Sportsmen Rally Behind Constitutional Amendment to Protect Hunting and Fishing Rights
Ohio hunters and anglers may soon see their outdoor traditions protected at the highest level. House Joint Resolution 5, originally slated for the 2024 ballot but now targeting November 2025, would enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife directly into the state constitution.
The proposed Section 23 of Article I declares that “the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Ohio’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good.” It specifically protects traditional hunting and fishing methods while maintaining the General Assembly’s authority to regulate these activities for conservation purposes.
Crucially, the amendment designates hunting and fishing as “preferred means” for wildlife management—a provision that could prove vital as Ohio faces challenges like chronic wasting disease in deer populations and invasive species threatening native ecosystems.
While critics might dismiss this as mere political theater, the amendment addresses genuine concerns within Ohio’s outdoor community. Anti-hunting organizations have increasingly turned to ballot initiatives and litigation to restrict hunting seasons, methods, and access, often using emotional appeals rather than scientific wildlife management principles.
The constitutional protection would make such efforts significantly more difficult, ensuring that trained biologists and wildlife professionals continue making decisions about seasons, bag limits, and harvest methods based on data rather than polls.
Economic Engine at Stake
Ohio’s hunting and fishing industries generate billions annually for the state economy. License sales, equipment purchases, and tourism dollars from sportsmen fund the bulk of wildlife conservation efforts through user-pay models that require no taxpayer support.
Ohio’s hunting community generates billions in economic activity annually while funding wildlife conservation through license sales and equipment purchases
The amendment helps ensure this economic engine remains stable by providing long-term security for outdoor recreation businesses and the communities that depend on them.
Landowners concerned about the amendment’s impact can rest easy as the proposal explicitly states it “shall not be construed to limit the application of any provision of law or of the constitution relating to trespass or property rights.” Private landowners retain complete control over access to their property.
The Path Forward
With broad bipartisan support, including representatives from both urban and rural districts, the amendment reflects Ohio’s diverse outdoor constituency. From Lake Erie walleye anglers to Appalachian turkey hunters, sportsmen across the state recognize the importance of constitutional protection for their traditions.
As Ohio joins over 20 other states that have already adopted similar constitutional amendments, the message is clear: hunting and fishing aren’t just recreational activities, they’re fundamental rights worth protecting for future generations.
The amendment requires approval from three-fifths of both legislative chambers before appearing on the November 2025 ballot, where it would need majority voter approval to become part of Ohio’s constitution.
The post Ohio Sportsmen Rally Behind Constitutional Amendment to Protect Hunting and Fishing Rights appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
Ohio Sportsmen Rally Behind Constitutional Amendment to Protect Hunting and Fishing Rights
Ohio hunters and anglers may soon see their outdoor traditions protected at the highest level. House Joint Resolution 5, originally slated for the 2024 ballot but now targeting November 2025, would enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife directly into the state constitution.
The proposed Section 23 of Article I declares that “the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Ohio’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good.” It specifically protects traditional hunting and fishing methods while maintaining the General Assembly’s authority to regulate these activities for conservation purposes.
Crucially, the amendment designates hunting and fishing as “preferred means” for wildlife management—a provision that could prove vital as Ohio faces challenges like chronic wasting disease in deer populations and invasive species threatening native ecosystems.
While critics might dismiss this as mere political theater, the amendment addresses genuine concerns within Ohio’s outdoor community. Anti-hunting organizations have increasingly turned to ballot initiatives and litigation to restrict hunting seasons, methods, and access, often using emotional appeals rather than scientific wildlife management principles.
The constitutional protection would make such efforts significantly more difficult, ensuring that trained biologists and wildlife professionals continue making decisions about seasons, bag limits, and harvest methods based on data rather than polls.
Economic Engine at Stake
Ohio’s hunting and fishing industries generate billions annually for the state economy. License sales, equipment purchases, and tourism dollars from sportsmen fund the bulk of wildlife conservation efforts through user-pay models that require no taxpayer support.
Ohio’s hunting community generates billions in economic activity annually while funding wildlife conservation through license sales and equipment purchases
The amendment helps ensure this economic engine remains stable by providing long-term security for outdoor recreation businesses and the communities that depend on them.
Landowners concerned about the amendment’s impact can rest easy as the proposal explicitly states it “shall not be construed to limit the application of any provision of law or of the constitution relating to trespass or property rights.” Private landowners retain complete control over access to their property.
The Path Forward
With broad bipartisan support, including representatives from both urban and rural districts, the amendment reflects Ohio’s diverse outdoor constituency. From Lake Erie walleye anglers to Appalachian turkey hunters, sportsmen across the state recognize the importance of constitutional protection for their traditions.
As Ohio joins over 20 other states that have already adopted similar constitutional amendments, the message is clear: hunting and fishing aren’t just recreational activities, they’re fundamental rights worth protecting for future generations.
The amendment requires approval from three-fifths of both legislative chambers before appearing on the November 2025 ballot, where it would need majority voter approval to become part of Ohio’s constitution.
The post Ohio Sportsmen Rally Behind Constitutional Amendment to Protect Hunting and Fishing Rights appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...