Should California have a right-to-hunt amendment?

[Crom]

I read this fascinating article about other states that either have or are putting up for vote a state amendment for the right to hunt. Apparently the freedom to hunt has been repeatedly attacked by animal rights groups in various parts of the country.

I know that hunting statistics for California have been in decline. A recent coworker told me this and I have found at least one news source which cites actual numbers.

Those who follow hunting in this state know the number of adults and juniors taking part in the sport has been declining for years. Yet even the most seasoned hunters might be shocked to see just how far the numbers have fallen in a state often accused of environmental extremism and overprotection.

Statistics from the Department of Fish and Game show a 53.4 percent drop in resident hunting licenses since 1980. There also has been, and this is no surprise, a 52.8 percent decrease in the sale of junior hunting licenses over that same period.


--Sign on San Diego Article July 23, 2010

Here are some interesting remarks from the right to hunt article:

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Lifelong hunter Bill Haycraft of Kentucky sees his treasured outdoors heritage under siege and in need of constitutional protection from animal rights advocates.

He's one of many hunters backing a "right-to-hunt" amendment that's expected to be on his state's 2012 ballot.
Kentucky is just the latest in a long line of states that have passed or are considering right-to-hunt measures to head off a feared hunting ban.

Arkansas, Arizona, South Carolina and Tennessee have right-to-hunt referendums on the ballot this year, and Kentucky, inspired by the other states, is poised to follow in 2012.

Such constitutional guarantees are already in place in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
All of those states, except Vermont, have adopted the constitutional amendments over the past 15 years. Vermont's amendment dates back to 1777.

Animals rights groups have pressed for restrictions on hunting in several states, including Kentucky where they tried to stop bear season from opening last year and in Minnesota this year where they pushed to ban dove hunting.
The right-to-hunt measures would ensure that hunting could never be outlawed without a statewide vote of the people.

--Florida AP Posted on Thursday, 09.02.10

So what are the odds that a right-to-hunt amendment would pass in California let alone be put on the ballot?

[Blackhawk556]

We should hve it but I don't think it will pass Soon.

May be after we get more wins under our belts but we'll see.

[dantodd]

I'm pretty sure that Gene could convince LCAV that passing such an amendment would negate self-defense as the core in Heller and therefore only hunting guns would be protected. That way LCAV could do the heavy lifting for us once again.

I kind of like having a Golem, you just have to keep on top of them so they can't do real damage.

[PatriotnMore]

Yes, we should, if that is what is needed to keep the ignorant from injecting their ideas, and making laws against hunting for everyone.

What is sad is, that we would even need such laws, or rights affirmed.

[Window_Seat]

The idea of putting pro RKBA measures on the ballot has been beaten and axed here because we are outnumbered by anti's who vote for the wrong measures for the wrong reasons.

Besides that, a "hunter's amendment" in all likelihood would not do any good, and may do worse for those who are trying to further RKBA for the purpose of self defense & protection. The courts are the way to go for this.

ETA: Dantodd beat me to it:

I'm pretty sure that Gene could convince LCAV that passing such an amendment would negate self-defense as the core in Heller and therefore only hunting guns would be protected. That way LCAV could do the heavy lifting for us once again.

Erik.