Since 2022, animal rights activists in the state of Oregon have been attempting to rewrite laws regarding “animal abuse.” The proposed initiative would completely ban hunting, fishing, and other industries, in turn affecting the everyday lives of every Oregonian. All prior attempts have failed to make it onto the ballot. But this year, it’s gaining a bit more traction.
Initiative Petition 28, also known as IP28 or the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, has real potential to be put up to a vote this year. It currently has nearly 82% of the required signatures to make the ballot and has until July 2026 to get the rest.
What Is IP28?
IP28 is an initiative petition, not a legislative bill. If put to a vote and passed, IP28 would change regulations across virtually every industry that involves animals in Oregon. Some examples include eliminating pest control, eliminating animal husbandry practices, outlawing rodeos, and, of course, putting an end to hunting and fishing in the state. There are exceptions for veterinary practices.
Ramifications of IP28 If Passed
The PEACE Act would entirely change how the state operates. “It would create a ‘no-kill’ sanctuary state, forcing Oregonians into a vegan diet or to have their meat and dairy products shipped in from other states making us more reliant on the national food network,” reads a graphic from the Oregon Hunters Association.
Will It Pass?
The activists behind IP28 are currently gathering approximately 5,450 signatures per month. With the current tally at 82,000, IP28 is on track to be put on the ballot. The required 117,173 are needed by July.
Still, if IP28 is put to a vote in November 2026, chances are slim that it will pass. One of the main activists behind the proposal even thinks so.
“Given the radical nature of the campaign, we’re aware that it is almost certainly not going to pass in 2026,” David Michelson told Current Affairs in September. “Despite that, we believe getting it on the ballot now will make it more likely to pass in a future election cycle, and that it will help us build the organization we’d need to keep getting it on the ballot. Our goal is to be persistent.”
So, Why Should You Care?
With it unlikely to pass, the question is, why should hunters and anglers care?
David Michelson told us himself. The goal isn’t to win now. The plan is to be persistent and slowly chip away at what he and other activists perceive to be a problem. If public perception of hunting and fishing slowly shifts over time, Americans could lose recreational opportunities that many hold dear.
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