Early voting is underway for the Nov. 3 General Election. On the ballot is a constitutional amendment regarding the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Texas.
The Nov. 3 ballot includes seven proposed constitutional amendments. Proposition 6 pertains to wildlife. It reads, “The constitutional amendment recognizing right of the people to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”
If the amendment is approved by Texas voters, the state would become the nineteenth to have a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 22, which triggered the constitutional amendment. He says the issue of hunting heritage is very important to him personally.
“I was raised hunting and fishing and having a great respect for wildlife and the outdoors, knowing how strong in our heritage Texas hunting and fishing plays as a common bond among family and friends. My grandfather was a very proud game warden with the state for 35 years. I grew up with a lot of influence from him and just respecting habitat and our wildlife—especially our deer population. I’m just very proud to be a part of it,” Creighton said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network.
There is language in the amendment about what the amendment cannot be construed to mean. The right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, they say, does not affect current laws related to trespass, eminent domain or property rights.
Supporters say the amendment is needed to solidify the right to legal and ethical hunting and fishing in Texas.
Early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3. Other amendments on the ballot are explained by TFB staff in this story: http://www.texasfarmbureau.org/newsmanager/templates/DailyNews.aspx?articleid=22512&zoneid=1
The full segment of the Texas Wildlife Radio Show with Gary Joiner can be heard here: http://bit.ly/1LPD63J.