ORLANDO, Fla. – The right to fish and hunt has been a question across states since 1777, when Vermont first constitutionalized the right.
Florida’s Amendment 2 would enshrine the public’s right to fish and hunt as a way to control fish and wildlife.
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Beyond Florida, 24 ballot measures have written constitutional provisions surrounding the right to fish and hunt as of January 2023, according to ballotpedia.org. Twenty-three states, including Arkansas and Tennessee, approved the amendment while Arizona was the only state to reject its proposition.
The House and the Senate passed the amendment back in April 2023. A supermajority vote of 60% is required to pass the amendment. If passed, the resolution will take effect on Jan. 7, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know.
[RESULTS 2024: Complete Coverage | Voter Guide for the Nov. 5 election | Here are the 6 amendments that will be on the Florida ballot in November]
Ballot language
BALLOT SUMMARY:
From the Florida Division of Elections website:
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section of Article IV of the State Constitution.
Amendment 2 will add Section 28 to Article I of the Florida Constitution, which establishes basic rights for Floridians. Here’s what that would look like.
Breaking down the amendment
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) currently controls the public’s license and permits, hunting and fishing seasons, means of take, bag limits and authorized hunting and fishing areas. This applies to Florida’s wild animal life, freshwater and marine life.
The FWC prohibits the interference or prevention of lawful hunting and fishing for fish, game and nongame animals.
According to the ballot summary, the Florida Legislature proposed the amendment when they recognized that hunting and fishing are large components of Florida’s culture and economy. Along with that, the passing of the amendment can have a positive effect on the conservation, preservation and management of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources.
The new section of Article I of the Florida Constitution will state, “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.”
The FWC’s authority to regulate wild animal life, freshwater and marine life will not be limited.
Yes on 2, a political group in support of amendment 2, wrote on its website that the amendment “will prevent extremists from taking away our rights.”
The site states that saltwater and freshwater fishing brings Florida $13.8 billion and hunting brings $2 billion annually.
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson are both in support of the amendment on Yes on 2′s Facebook page.
On the other hand, No to 2, a political group against the passing of Amendment 2, said the amendment is a threat to private property rights, wildlife and marine populations, according to their website.
A quote from World Animal Protection published on No to 2′s website states, “This dangerous and misleading amendment will strip Florida citizens of their power to protect and conserve wild animals. It’s designed to trick voters into allowing some of the cruelest forms of hunting and prevent citizens, scientists, and agencies from protecting wildlife in the future. World Animal Protection says a resounding ‘no’ to Florida Amendment 2 2024.”
The group’s main concerns around the amendment include hunters trespassing on private property to pursue a hunt, the rapid loss of Florida wildlife and the nullification of the prohibition on Gill Nets established in 1995.
There is no indicated direct economic impact on private sectors, revenues or expenditures in the House of Representatives’ Fiscal Analysis and Economic Impact Statement.
Bottom Line
A “YES” vote on Amendment 2 means you are in favor of enshrining a public right to fish and hunt in Florida.
A “NO” vote on Amendment 2 means you are against enshrining a public right to fish and hunt in Florida.
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