The criminalization of hunting and fishing is one step closer to a reality in Oregon.
As of today, proponents of Oregon Initiative Petition 28 have submitted more than 120,000 signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State. The statutory requirement to qualify for the November 2026 ballot is 117,173 valid signatures. The signatures still must undergo verification by elections officials before the measure is officially certified for the 2026 general election ballot.
IP 28 will effectively criminalize ordinary hunting, fishing, ranching, pest control, veterinary, and agricultural activities.
IP 28 carries jail time and fines, and subjects hunters & anglers to misdemeanor and felony charges - for simply catching a fish or harvesting wildlife such as a deer or duck.
In addition to protecting the Second Amendment, the NRA has long supported safe and responsible firearm use through hunter education programs nationwide. In Oregon, NRA’s Hunter safety education course has trained countless new hunters in firearm safety, ethics, and conservation principles at no cost to the state.
These programs help preserve Oregon’s outdoor traditions while promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and natural resources. IP 28 threatens not only hunting and fishing opportunities, but also the future of youth outdoor education, family traditions, and rural communities that depend on outdoor recreation and agriculture.
Right now, IP28 is still a proposed initiative, and the signatures must be certified by the Secretary of State before it becomes an official measure for the ballot this November.
Oregon gun owners, hunters, anglers, and conservationists must stay informed and engaged as this initiative moves forward. The fate of Oregon’s outdoor heritage depends on it!
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