Hunting and fishing put to a vote

Initiative on Nov. 4 ballot would make sports a constitutional right in Mississippi

Mississippians will decide in November’s general election if hunting and fishing should be a constitutionally protected right in the state.

The 2012 Legislature passed the proposal, but, according to the office of the Secretary of State, since it is an amendment to the Constitution, a majority vote of the electorate is required.

The 2½-year delay in voting is due to the 2014 election being the first statewide general election since the legislative action.

According to a sample ballot provided by the Secretary of State, voters will find as the last item:

Initiative 1

House Concurrent Resolution 30

This proposed constitutional amendment establishes hunting, fishing, and the harvesting of wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, as a constitutional right subject only to such regulations and restrictions that promote wildlife conservation and management as the Legislature may prescribe by general law.

Voters can vote either Yes or No.

While there has never been a threat to hunting and fishing in Mississippi, many view this as a necessary preemptive move.

“There are people with agendas in this country who want to take your guns you want, to take away hunting and fishing,” said Jim Walker of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. “When this passes it will be a major deterrent for anybody who would like to try.”

A similar amendment is on the statewide ballot in Alabama as well. According to the NRA, which strongly supports the measure, 17 states have already passed similar laws or amendments.