EP. 109: Why Conservation Matters, Delta Waterfowl & the Duck Hunters Expo with Chris Williams

Right now out in Oregon, I don't know if you've heard, there's a Initiative Petition 28 that's gaining national attention because it could eventually put a sweeping hunting, fishing, and trapping ban in front of voters.

Critics say the proposal could criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping, and even standard farming pra- practices like ranching if it reaches the ballot.

Can you imagine that? Supporters recently surpassed the required signature threshold, putting the measure on track to qualify for the ballot pending official verification from the Secretary of State.

If enacted, Initiative Petition 28 would fundamentally redefine animal cruelty and abuse in Oregon.

Key impacts include traditional and regulated wildlife management, recreational hunting and fishing.

Those will be classified as illegal acts of animal abuse.

I'm not joking around here.

This, uh, [chuckles] this is seriously the language that's out there, and I, I'm just as shocked as you if, if this is the first time you're hearing of it.

Standard ranching, farming, commercial poultry, and livestock husbandry practices would be banned.

This includes a prohibition on breeding, castration, and slaughter.

Where the hell are we gonna get our meat from if, if they're not gonna slaughter the animals? And th- this is wild.

Medical experimentation on animals and even typical pest control would become illegal.

Pest control.

Only immediate necessary veterinary care and actions taken strictly in self-defense would remain exempt from prosecution.

Wow.

The petition has sparked strong opposition from agricultural organizations, as you can imagine, hunting coalitions, and local lawmakers.

Groups such as the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Cattlemen's Association have launched active campaigns to defeat the measure.

Critics argue that if passed, the petition would devastate rural economies and eliminate roughly 30% of Oregon's agricultural sales.

It would drive up grocery and restaurant prices by requiring the state to import all meat and dairy products.

So again, they're, they're farming out, for lack of a better word, the killing of animals in their state.

We're not gonna kill them to eat them, but we'll let somebody else do the dirty work andBring it into the state for us to enjoy.

It's the typical anti-hunter, anti-meat argument that it never holds any water.

I-- these people continue to make this argument, but alls they're doing is paying somebody to do their dirty work.

They don't wanna take responsibility for their food.

It's wild.