Vote ‘No’ on Amendment 2; it’s a Trojan Horse | Opinion

Before you ask yourself what Amendment 2 could or couldn’t do, first ask why?

Proponents’ foundational argument for changing Florida’s Constitution, our most sacred document, is that the right to hunt and fish is threatened or could be. This just isn’t true. There is no credible threat to these popular recreational activities. I support sustainable hunting and fishing, and so does the No To 2 Campaign.

Amendment 2 is a Trojan Horse, and those of us who love hunting, fishing and the environment have a civic duty to reject it.

Proponents tout its benefits while downplaying its implications. So which is it? Our constitution is a powerful document and is no place to codify recreational activities.

Boating and golfing are also part of Florida’s culture and history, and their combined economic impact dwarfs hunting and fishing. Florida residents are already guaranteed the “right to hunt and fish” in a sensible and popular law, Florida Statute 379.104. Inserting it into our constitution is unnecessary and could help sabotage Florida’s conservation efforts. The right to hunt Black Bears should not be in our constitution.

Traditional Methods

Amendment 2 proposes to preserve traditional methods of hunting and fishing forever as a public right, but it does not define “traditional methods.” Industry groups have already established that the term” traditional methods” is code for body-crushing steel traps, strangling neck snares, bear hunting with hounds, gill nets, and other “methods” that most Floridians find cruel and barbaric. When fish and wildlife are harvested, their demise should be swift and humane. Most “traditional methods” are neither.

Amendment 2 also declares hunting and fishing as the “preferred means” of managing fish and wildlife.

This language will be used to make science-based, non-lethal forms of wildlife management secondary to the “public right” to hunt and fish. The “preferred means” for managing each species should be based on science, not a one-size-fits-all constitutional edict.

Legal Conflicts

“Traditional methods” and “preferred means” are just two deliberately vague provisions that will likely prevent updates to rules reflecting current societal values, and will likely facilitate litigation.

Despite appearing to the contrary, the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s constitutional authority is in Amendment 2’s cross hairs. In addition to its own inevitable, expensive and harmful collision with Amendment 2, other popular laws, like the prohibition on hunting in State Parks, will be ripe for legal challenge. At least, that’s the Florida Bar’s conclusion.

For example, the 1994 gill net ban was enshrined in our constitution by 72% of Florida voters. Gill nets indiscriminately kill everything they entangle, including sea turtles and dolphins.

With a fundamental public right in their favor, commercial fishing interests will try to overturn the ban on gill nets again, and these deadly nets could easily find their way back into Florida’s water.

Also in jeopardy are private property rights. Hound hunting will likely grow, and unfortunately dogs chasing game can’t read “No Trespassing” signs. Homeowners’ rights will succumb to the right to hunt, as has happened repeatedly in states like Vermont.

Misleading Florida Voters

Responsible conservation and wildlife protection organizations, including Sierra Club Florida and the Humane Society of the United States along with many others, have joined together to stop this deceptive measure at the ballot box.

But they can only do it with the help of thousands of Florida-loving citizens to help spread the NoTo2 message.

As a second-generation Floridian who grew up exploring the woods, waters, and wetlands and learned to be a skilled marksman and saltwater angler, I care deeply about preserving these recreational activities for future generations of Floridians.

This is why I adamantly oppose Amendment 2 and urge Floridians: don’t be tricked into enshrining hunting and fishing in our constitution at the expense of our wildlife and environment.

James C. Scott is the chapter chair of Sierra Club Florida and campaign manager for No To 2.