Watch closely to Oregon's new attempt to ban all hunting, fishing, trapping, farming

[JayDC65]

Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), also known as the PEACE Act, faces slim to no chances of passing even if it qualifies for the November 2026 ballot.

While proponents like David Michelson admit the measure is unlikely to succeed, it aims to remove legal exemptions from animal cruelty statutes to effectively criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping, and livestock slaughter. The initiative has gathered approximately 105,000 signatures toward the 117,173 needed by the July 2, 2026 deadline to appear on the ballot.

Key details regarding the measure include:

• Scope: If passed, IP28 would make licensed hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture criminal offenses, affecting nearly one million Oregonians.
• Opposition: Major groups like the Oregon Farm Bureau and Oregon Hunters Association argue the measure is extreme and would defund wildlife conservation programs reliant on hunting and fishing license fees.
• Strategy: Supporters view the campaign as a long-term effort to shift public perception toward animal rights, similar to previous failed attempts in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

 

[Huntsman]

Feels more like a messaging campaign than real policy, it is still worth watching even if odds of passage stay low.

 

[Alan]

Even if it never makes the ballot, the fact it’s getting signatures shows where some advocacy groups are trying to push the conversation. If it did advance, it would have major ripple effects on wildlife funding and conservation programs tied to license revenue not just hunting itself.

 

[Gwitness]

I'll bet once they start to verify the signatures on that initiative the number of actual eligible voters who have signed is going to drop drastically.