Oregon: Hunting & Fishing Ban Fails to Qualify for 2026 Ballot

Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), known as the PEACE Act (People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions), has officially failed, for now.

On Friday, July 24th, the Oregon Secretary of State's office announced that Initiative Petition 28 failed to qualify for the 2026 General Election ballot. Less than 75% of the signatures collected by proponents of IP 28 were able to be verified by the Secretary of State's office.

IP 28 sought to criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control, and many common ranching and agricultural practices across Oregon.  IP 28 proposed jail time and fines, and subjected hunters & anglers to misdemeanor and felony charges - for simply catching a fish, harvesting wildlife, or removing a threat to livestock or crops. 

NRA has long supported safe and responsible firearm use through hunter education programs nationwide. In Oregon, NRA’s Hunter safety education course has trained countless new hunters in firearm safety, ethics, and conservation principles at no cost to the state. These programs help preserve Oregon’s outdoor traditions while promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and natural resources. IP 28 was a threat not only for today's hunters, anglers, ranchers and farmers, but a threat to the future generations.  

IP 28's failure is a victory to be celebrated today, but the threat to hunters and the Second Amendment still looms large. 

Immediately following the July 24 signature verification failure confirmation from the Secretary of State, IP 28's sponsor announced his intent to bring this ban forward again: 

“As long as animals are being killed, there will be a movement of people wanting to protect them… If our campaign continues to grow, as it has since 2020, then such a vote may come to fruition in a future election cycle.”

IP 28 is the third official attempt to impose an unprecedented ban on hunting and fishing (following IP13 and IP3 in previous years). 

IP 28's defeat is a win today. But, Oregon voters remain diligently focused on protecting the Second Amendment, hunting and conservation. Don’t let this win deter you from the polls this November! Electing legislators who will defend the Second Amendment is the only way to protect our rights and the ability to hunt, fish, farm and sustainably feed Oregon families.