IOTR leads anglers, hunters, in fight to pass
constitutional amendment in Sunshine State
In response to Florida’s House of Representatives taking steps to protect the rights of anglers and hunters across the state, International Order of T. Roosevelt and T. Roosevelt Action Executive Director Luke Hilgemann issued the following statement today on HB 1157, which amends Florida’s constitution to protect the right to fish and hunt.
“Anti-hunting forces are pushing a radical agenda to ban fishing and hunting as we know it, and today Florida is showing the nation how to fight back. Anglers and hunters want to continue celebrating Florida’s sporting heritage, and IOTR stands with them in this fight. We will continue to advocate for our way of life and protect these cherished outdoor traditions for the next generation.”
Rep. Lauren Melo, author of HB 1157 added the following:
“By amending Florida’s Constitution, we can protect Florida’s fishing and hunting for the next generation. Today’s committee vote signifies that Florida’s Legislature is ready to do what is right to protect our anglers and hunters from those seeking to erode our freedoms and attack our way of life. I look forward to all of my colleagues in the House and Senate getting a full vote on this measure soon.”
Sen. Jason Brodeur commented:
“Soon Floridians will be given the opportunity to preserve the right to fish and hunt as a means to responsibly control wildlife—an act that has been long rooted in our American history. This resolution aims to balance the needs and interests of both wildlife and humans while ensuring these activities can continue to be enjoyed responsibly. I have full confidence my colleagues in the Senate will stand in support of our sportsmen by passing this joint resolution.”
Florida is the fishing capital of the world. Saltwater and freshwater fishing generate $13.8 billion in annual economic impact for Florida and support 120,000 jobs. Hunting provides another $2 billion annual economic impact and supports 14,300 jobs. This bill enshrines the rights of anglers and hunters after activists in other states have led to a charge to criminalize hunting and fishing.
The International Order of T. Roosevelt previously launched a six-figure digital advertising blitz to strategically reach hunters in four states, educating the public on their right to hunt. The campaign is active in Iowa, Ohio, Florida, and South Dakota – all states with strong hunting and fishing traditions that lack a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Other prominent outdoor organizations and individuals joining IOTR to support efforts in Florida to amend the constitution include:
- Rodney Barreto, Chairman, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Delta Waterfowl
- Ducks Unlimited
- Safari Club International
- Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
- National Shooting Sports Foundation
- National Deer Association
- Izaak Walton League Cypress Chapter
- Florida Guides Association
- American Sportfishing Association
- Coastal Conservation Association Florida
- American Daughters of Conservation
- All Florida
- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
- Florida Airboat Association
- United Waterfowlers of Florida
- Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
- Howl.org
- Future of Hunting in Florida
- Florida Sportsmen’s Conservation Association
Formerly known as the Shikar Safari Club International Foundation, the newly rebranded International Order of T. Roosevelt is a hunting and conservation foundation focused on proactively protecting the rights of hunters and sustaining the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
The Facts About Protecting Fishing and Hunting in Florida
- Nationwide, there are efforts underway to criminalize hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing bans were considered in at least a dozen states last year. In Oregon, a ballot initiative to criminalize hunting and fishing missed being added to the ballot by only 20,000 signatures.
- Similar efforts to criminalize catching a fish or harvesting wild game are expected to be pushed in Washington and New Mexico as well as Oregon ahead of 2024. States like Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and South Dakota have strong pro-fishing and hunting majorities but do not have constitutional protections for anglers and hunters.
- Twenty-three states have passed a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt amendment.
- Protecting traditions: 273,000 Floridians purchased hunting licenses in 2020 another 1,327,971 Floridians purchased fishing licenses last year.
- Supporting Wildlife Conservation: Fishing and hunting are the most important tools for managing wildlife populations. American hunters and anglers are the largest contributors to wildlife conservation – Sportsmen contribute nearly $9.4 million every day, adding more than $3.4 billion every year for conservation.
- Economic Impact: Florida is the fishing capital of the world. Saltwater and freshwater fishing generate $13.8 billion in annual economic impact for Florida and support 120,000 jobs. Hunting provides another $2 billion annual economic impact and supports 14,300 jobs.
