Wyoming Hunting Rights Amendment, Constitutional Amendment B (2012)
Hunting Rights Amendment | |
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Type | Constitutional amendment |
Origin | Wyoming State Legislature |
Topic | Hunting |
Status | ![]() |
A Wyoming Hunting Rights Amendment was on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Wyoming as a proposed legislatively referred constitutional amendment, where it was approved. The measure preserved citizens' rights to hunt and fish.[1]
Similar measures appeared on ballots in six states - Arizona, Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Tennessee - in 2010.
Election results
- See also: 2012 ballot measure election results
Wyoming Constitutional Amendment B (2012) | ||||
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Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
![]() | 212,561 | 84.79% | ||
No | 25,564 | 10.20% | ||
Total vote | 250,701 |
Note: In order for a Wyoming constitutional measure to be approved it must receive a majority of the total ballots cast in the election.
Official results via the Wyoming Secretary of State's website
Text of measure
Ballot language
The ballot text read:[2]
The adoption of this amendment will recognize and preserve the heritage of Wyoming citizens' opportunity to harvest wild birds, fish and game.
Background
As of November 2024, 24 states had constitutional provisions providing for the right to hunt and fish. Vermont was the first state to constitutionalize such a right in 1777. The other 22 states have adopted right to hunt and fish amendments since 1996. The state constitutions of California and Rhode Island include amendments guaranteeing the right to fish, but not to hunt.[3]
List
The following is a list of state ballot measures to adopt right to hunt and fish amendments:
State | Year | Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FL | 2024 | Amendment 2 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt and fish |
|
6,941,307 (67%) |
3,365,987 (33%) |
|
UT | 2020 | Constitutional Amendment E | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt and to fish |
|
1,063,212 (75%) |
355,848 (25%) |
|
NC | 2018 | Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife |
|
2,083,123 (57%) |
1,563,090 (43%) |
|
IN | 2016 | Public Question 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap, including traditional methods |
|
1,893,467 (79%) |
492,300 (21%) |
|
KS | 2016 | Constitutional Amendment 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap, including traditional methods |
|
926,970 (81%) |
213,104 (19%) |
|
TX | 2015 | Proposition 6 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap, including traditional methods |
|
1,260,763 (81%) |
294,973 (19%) |
|
AL | 2014 | Amendment 5 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including traditional methods |
|
789,777 (80%) |
199,483 (20%) |
|
MS | 2014 | HCR 30 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap, including traditional methods |
|
524,423 (88%) |
71,683 (12%) |
|
ID | 2012 | HJR 2 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap, including traditional methods |
|
456,514 (73%) |
165,289 (27%) |
|
KY | 2012 | Amendment | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife |
|
1,298,340 (84%) |
238,320 (16%) |
|
NE | 2012 | Amendment 2 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife |
|
557,534 (77%) |
169,250 (23%) |
|
WY | 2012 | Amendment B | Provide for a state constitutional right to harvest wild bird, fish, and game |
|
212,561 (89%) |
25,564 (11%) |
|
AR | 2010 | Amendment 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife |
|
612,495 (83%) |
127,444 (17%) |
|
AZ | 2010 | Proposition 109 | Provide for state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife |
|
714,144 (44%) |
926,991 (56%) |
|
SC | 2010 | Amendment 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife |
|
1,126,228 (89%) |
139,668 (11%) |
|
TN | 2010 | Amendment | Provide for state constitutional right to hunt and fish |
|
1,255,840 (87%) |
181,465 (13%) |
|
OK | 2008 | State Question 742 | Establish a constitutional right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game, granting authority to the Wildlife Conservation Commission. |
|
1,082,341 (80%) |
269,787 (20%) |
|
GA | 2006 | Amendment 2 | Preserve the ability to fish and hunt in Georgia and ensure it is managed by law and regulation for the public good |
|
1,626,226 (81%) |
379,024 (19%) |
|
LA | 2004 | Question 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap |
|
1,195,445 (81%) |
279,926 (19%) |
|
MT | 2004 | C-41 | Provide for a state constitutional right to harvest wild fish and game |
|
345,505 (81%) |
83,185 (19%) |
|
WI | 2003 | Question 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and take game |
|
668,459 (82%) |
146,182 (18%) |
|
ND | 2000 | Measure 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and take game |
|
206,443 (77%) |
61,531 (23%) |
|
VA | 2000 | Question 2 | Provide for a right to hunt, fish, and harvest game |
|
1,448,154 (60%) |
970,266 (40%) |
|
MN | 1998 | Amendment 3 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and take game |
|
1,570,720 (77%) |
462,749 (23%) |
|
AL | 1996 | Amendment 1 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt and fish |
|
955,149 (81%) |
218,350 (19%) |
Map
The following map shows which states have constitutional rights to hunt and fish in their state constitutions:
Support
- Amendment B supporter, State Sen. Larry Hicks: "There seems to be a perception that this type of [hunting limitation] would never happen here in Wyoming. But that is the same thing people said in Oregon, Washington or Colorado before it came up in those places."[4]
Opposition
- Amendment B opponent Sen. Michael Von Flatern: "I don’t perceive there being a threat to hunting as some other people might. And I don’t see a reason to alter our 120-year-old constitution to put this in there."[4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: How to amend the Wyoming Constitution
A 2/3rds vote in both chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature is required to refer an amendment to the ballot. The measure was approved by the Senate by vote of 23-7 on February 4, 2011.[5][6] On February 28, 2011, the House passed the proposed measure following a 56-3 vote.[7] The Gov. Matt Mead signed and referred the measure to the ballot on March 3, 2011.[8]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Wyoming hunting rights bill passes first Senate test," February 1, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming General Assembly, "SJR 1 full text," accessed March 7, 2011
- ↑ National Shooting Sports Foundation, "State “Right to Hunt and Fish” Protections," accessed May 20, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wyoming News, "Wyoming voters will decide on "right to hunt" amendment," October 19, 2012
- ↑ The Star Tribune, "Wyoming Senate OKs hunting rights amendment," February 5, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming Legislature, "SJR 1 status," accessed February 14, 2011
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Wyoming right to hunt, fish, trap amendment passes," March 1, 2011
- ↑ KOWB 1290, "Legislature Ready To Wrap Things Up, Mead Signs Bills," March 3, 2011
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