Florida Voters Add 'Right to Hunt and Fish' to State Constitution

Voters in Florida have approved a constitutional amendment that adds the "right to hunt and fish" to the state's constitution.

The amendment, which was on the ballot as Amendment 11, passed with 63% of the vote. It will add language to the state constitution that says "the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife shall be forever recognized and preserved." The amendment was supported by a coalition of hunting and fishing groups, as well as some environmental groups. Supporters argued that it was necessary to protect the rights of hunters and fishermen in the face of increasing development and urbanization.

Opponents of the amendment argued that it was unnecessary and could lead to increased hunting and fishing pressure on wildlife.

The amendment is similar to a number of other state constitutional amendments that have been passed in recent years in response to concerns about the erosion of hunting and fishing rights. In 2020, voters in Alaska passed a constitutional amendment that declared hunting and fishing to be a "fundamental right." Similar amendments have also been passed in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.

The passage of Amendment 11 is a victory for hunting and fishing groups, and it is likely to have a significant impact on the way that hunting and fishing are regulated in Florida. It is also a sign of the growing importance of hunting and fishing as recreational activities in the United States.