Voters have been largely receptive to the idea of constitutional protection for hunting and fishing rights, with measures in Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee receiving affirmative votes but Arizona's measure failing. One feature of Arizona's proposal that was unique among the four: it would have prevented changes to laws regulating hunting and fishing via the initiative process. This brings to 12 the number of states where voters have approved constitutional protection for the right to hunt and fish. Arizona voters are the first to reject such a measure.
In Missouri, voters have narrowly approved the "Puppy Mill" measure, regulating dog breeders and establishing the crime of Puppy Mill Cruelty for violations.
Montana voters have agreed to a proposal to stop setting aside a certain number of hunting licenses for outfitters that cater to out-of-state hunters. I-161 also increases the fees for certain hunting licenses, a move which is expected to bring in $700,000 over the next four years for hunting access and $1.5 million annually for habitat preservation and restoration.
In North Dakota, voters have rejected an initiative that would have outlawed the practice of charging a fee to allow a person to hunt large game inside enclosures.
While it does not deal directly with hunting, a related measure in Kansas preservers the right to keep and bear arms.
Read more about hunting and animal rights measures on NCSL's StateVote 2010 page.
