Oregon Freedom Amendment Petition Cleared for Circulation
The proposed constitutional amendment would make hunting, fishing, and trapping fundamental rights in Oregon.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hunting
Live Poll
Should Oregon's constitution protect hunting, fishing, and farming as fundamental rights?
A petition for the Oregon Freedom Amendment, also known as IP 25, has been authorized for circulation statewide. The measure would protect hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, ranching, wildlife management, and agricultural animal husbandry under the state constitution.
Why it matters
The effort responds to the PEACE Act (IP 28), which aimed to remove hunting and fishing exemptions from Oregon's animal cruelty laws and failed to qualify for the November 2026 ballot for lack of valid signatures. The petition would need signatures equal to 8% of votes cast in the 2026 gubernatorial election to reach the November 2028 ballot.
Under the petition, hunting, fishing, and trapping would become fundamental rights under the Oregon constitution, applying statewide. The required signature threshold is tied directly to the 2026 gubernatorial vote count, which is not yet final for the 2028 timeline.
The players
Oregon Freedom Amendment
A statewide ballot initiative petition, also known as IP 25, seeking constitutional protection for hunting, fishing, trapping, and agricultural activities in Oregon.
PEACE Act (IP 28)
A failed ballot initiative that aimed to remove hunting and fishing exemptions from Oregon's animal cruelty laws and drew criticism from across the political spectrum.
The details
The Oregon Freedom Amendment would turn hunting, fishing, and trapping into fundamental rights under the state constitution. The petition is targeted for the November 2028 ballot and is being circulated across Oregon.
Timeline
November 2026: PEACE Act (IP 28) fails to qualify for the gubernatorial election ballot.
November 2028: Target ballot date for the Oregon Freedom Amendment.
Season Trajectory
The Oregon Freedom Amendment arrives as a direct counter to the PEACE Act (IP 28), which sought to strip hunting and fishing exemptions from state animal cruelty law. Its push for the November 2028 ballot places it as a rival measure in the next statewide initiative cycle.
If the amendment qualifies, hunting, fishing, and trapping would gain constitutional protection in Oregon. Hunters and anglers would not face the removal of exemptions that the failed PEACE Act proposed.
The takeaway
Oregon voters will decide whether hunting, fishing, and trapping become constitutional rights in November 2028 if the petition gathers enough signatures. Readers interested in the measure can track signature drives and ballot status as the campaign develops.
What happens next
The petition is targeted for the November 2028 ballot, with signature requirements tied to the 2026 gubernatorial vote count.
Further reading
Explore more on Hunting coverage across Oregon.
More information
Learn more at the Oregon Freedom Amendment official information site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2.
Live Poll
Should Oregon's constitution protect hunting, fishing, and farming as fundamental rights?
