“End Animal Cruelty,” an animal rights activist group in Oregon, has proposed an initiative to be placed on the 2022 ballot that would ban all hunting, fishing and trapping in the state of Oregon. Initiative Petition 13 (IP 13) would prohibit the injuring and killing of any mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian, unless in an act of self-defense. The initiative would also make engaging in common animal breeding practices, including for domestic animals, a felony.
If passed, IP 13 would immediately affect Oregon’s 940,000 sportsmen and women whose outdoor activities support conservation efforts, food procurement and tradition. For generations, Oregonians have relied on the state’s rich natural bounty to provide fresh meat and fish for their families. The proposed initiative would also significantly impact the state’s ability to manage and protect its natural resources, wildlife and public lands.
Oregon’s hunters, anglers and trappers have long played a crucial role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts for the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” structure, Oregon’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). These funds are procured through fishing and hunting license sales and through an 11% excise tax paid on sporting-related goods via the Pittman-Robertson Act. In addition to IP 13 preventing more than 940,000 sportsmen and women from hunting, fishing and trapping, the proposed initiative would result in a significant decrease of revenue for Oregon’s critical conservation, habitat restoration and wildlife management efforts.
Without sportsmen-generated revenue through license and tag sales, along with the excise tax revenue generated through Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson for sporting-related purchases, ODFW’s budget would be cut by almost one half. ODFW, the primary stewards of protecting and enhancing the states’ wildlife and their habitat, would lose over $50 million dollars annually from hunting and fishing license sales alone.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments to the Oregon Secretary of State on June 3 challenging the proposed ballot title language for not adequately portraying to voters the sweeping and profound effects of IP 13 if passed. After a review of these comments and any modification, the Secretary of State will finalize the ballot title language, which clears the hurdle for the “End Animal Cruelty” campaign to begin gathering the 112,020 signatures necessary to place it on the 2022 ballot. CSF will continue working in opposition to IP 13 throughout this process.
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