Indiana: Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment Clears Senate, Goes to House

Today, Senate Joint Resolution 9, sponsored by state Senator Brent Steele (R-44), passed in the Indiana Senate by a 43 to 4 vote.  SJR 9 will now be transmitted to the Indiana House of Representatives where its sponsors are state Representatives Sean Eberhart (R-57), Heath VanNatter (R-38) and Mark Messmer (R-63).  SJR 9 would guarantee Hoosiers the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife.  This proposed constitutional amendment would ensure the preservation of Indiana's rich hunting heritage for future generations.

By declaring and enshrining this constitutional right, Indiana would keep the existing fishing and hunting structure in place while protecting future generations of sportsmen from attacks initiated by well-funded anti-hunting extremists.  Specifically, SJR 9 would promote wildlife conservation and management.  In addition, it specifies that hunting, fishing and harvesting of wildlife shall be used as a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.  This proposed constitutional amendment would ensure that sportsmen will continue to be used as Indiana’s responsible game managers instead of taxpayer-funded sharpshooters and unproven, expensive wildlife contraception schemes employed in other jurisdictions.

While SJR 9 has not yet been referred to a House committee, it is not too early to contact your state Representative and respectfully urge him or her to SUPPORT your right to hunt and fish by voting “YES” on SJR 9.  Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.