6/29/2021 update:
The Oregon attorney general modified the ballot language to now include a statement on the effect IP 13 would have on funding for conservation efforts due to hunting and fishing license sales being eliminated from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s budget. RMEF remains adamantly opposed to the measure.
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The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and several partners continue to raise a collective voice of warning about Initiative Petition 13 (IP13), a citizen-driven effort in Oregon that would make it illegal for the killing of any animal except for self defense. In essence, it would make hunting a criminal activity and decimate the livestock farming industry.
Below is a news release from the Oregon Hunters Association.
Initiative Petition 13 (IP13) is an initiative for the November 2022 General Election. The petitioner has successfully gathered the 1,000 signatures needed to file a draft ballot title and summary (linked HERE) with the state. If and when the ballot language is certified by the state, they will need to gather over 112,000 signatures by June 2022 to place the it on the ballot that fall.
As of June 4, OHA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, have submitted comments challenging the draft ballot language, citing a lack of clarity around the impacts to legal hunting, fishing, and trapping, as well as the disingenuous use of the word ‘prohibit’ instead of ‘criminalize’, which more accurately reflects the impacts of these changes.
IP13 is egregious in the extreme, criminalizing hunting, fishing, and trapping while also targeting animal agriculture. The complete initiative language is linked here: IP13 Language (Reading key: italicized text is intended to be removed, bold text is to be added).
Below is a timeline of events regarding IP13. While we may think that it is impossible for such a far-fetched idea to make it to the 2022 ballot, let alone get passed, we must take this threat seriously. This is just one in many recent attempts to curtail hunting, fishing, and trapping in the western states. There is currently a similar, though less extreme, version being fought in Colorado.
One of the most important things our membership can do is register to vote and turn out for elections. The controversial Measure 18 from 1994 was passed by a slim 3% margin and we are still feeling the effects of it today. We cannot be apathetic to these attempts to curtail or outright ban hunting, fishing, and trapping in Oregon; we have to exercise our rights by voting on ballot measures. To register to vote, click HERE.
Donate to OHA’s Hunters Victory Fund for this and other legal and legislative efforts, by clicking HERE.
(Photo source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)