Hunting in Oregon’s Crosshairs as ‘Animal Cruelty’ Initiative Nears Ballot Requirement

The campaign to put a citizen initiative called the PEACE Act (People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions) on the Oregon ballot in November could ignite an all-out war between national hunting organizations and radical animal rights extremists.

If passed, it could set a dangerous precedent for anti-hunters—supported by the gun prohibition lobby—to follow in other states.

The PEACE Act, also known as Initiative Petition 28, would outlaw hunting, fishing and a host of other things, including cattle ranching, according to critics. So far, backers of this measure have allegedly gathered about 105,000 of the required 117,173 valid signatures, which must be turned in by July 2. Here is an excerpt from the 10-page measure:

“(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, unless gross negligence can be shown, the provisions of ORS 167.315 (Animal abuse in the second degree) to 167.333 (Sexual assault of an animal) do not apply to:

(a) [The treatment of livestock being transported by owner or common carrier;]Situations of self-defense when it is necessary to defend against the threat of immediate harm to oneself, to other humans, or to other animals;

[(b) Animals involved in rodeos or similar exhibitions;]

[(c) Commercially grown poultry;]

[(d) Animals subject to good animal husbandry practices;]

[(e) The killing of livestock according to the provisions of ORS 603.065 (Slaughter methods);]

[(f)] (b) Animals subject to good veterinary practices as described in ORS 686.030 (Acts constituting practice of veterinary medicine)[;].

[(g) Lawful fishing, hunting and trapping activities;]

[(h) Wildlife management practices under color of law;]

[(i) Lawful scientific or agricultural research or teaching that involves the use of animals;]

[(j) Reasonable activities undertaken in connection with the control of vermin or pests; and]

[(k) Reasonable handling and training techniques.]”

As explained by Kevin Starrett at the Oregon Firearms Federation, everything in italics would be stricken from current law. Via email, he told Ammoland News, “The measure is flat out…crazy. And, I think there are people thinking that, just like Measure 114, ‘it can never pass.’”

But Measure 114, possibly the most anti-gun-rights citizen initiative in the country, narrowly did pass in 2022. It has been tied up in state and federal lawsuits ever since, and the measure’s constitutionality is now in the hands of the Oregon state Supreme Court.

Writing at Northwest Sportsman, a “hook-and-bullet” publication covering hunting and fishing in Oregon and neighboring Washington, editor Andy Walgamott explains, “Initiative Petition 28 cloaks itself as an anti-animal cruelty campaign, but in reality it would essentially criminalize hunting, fishing and trapping in the Beaver State, put ranchers out of business, and prevent you from even raising your own chickens for the table or trapping rodents damaging your home or business.

“IP28 represents an existential threat to our shared way of life, not to mention all Oregon-based fishing and hunting businesses such as guide and outfitter services, gear and tackle makers, magazines, sporting goods stores, sportsmen’s shows, fishing boat dealers and even an entire state agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is funded in no small part by our license revenues.”

As recently reported by Ammoland, this year’s apportionments to the states from the Pittman-Robertson wildlife conservation fund topped $842 million, of which Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife is getting $20,075,259.

The danger of the PEACE Act cannot be overstated. Northwest Sportsman’s Walgamott estimates signature gatherers will actually have to turn in some 140,000 signatures in order to make sure they have the required 117,000. But that may be doable because they started gathering signatures in November, and they’ve managed to fill a lot of petitions.

Portland’s KOIN News quoted Davi Michelson, identified as the PEACE Act’s “chief petitioner.” He was not subtle about his intention.

“We really want to make Oregon the first state to vote on something like this,” he said. “We are aware that it’s unlikely 50% of Oregonians are ready right now to move away from killing animals. But we want to get that conversation out there. So that we can hopefully move in that direction.”

Translation: It may take a while, but in Michelson’s worldview, it’s his way or the highway; tofu and veggies. On their website, the IP38 group puts it in black-and-white:

“If passed, IP28 would remove the exemption for hunting, fishing, and trapping from our cruelty laws, meaning that any practice that involves the intentional injury of an animal would be criminalized…”

The Oregon Hunters Association is bracing for a fight if the PEACE Act is placed on the November ballot, and they will undoubtedly get lots of help from national sportsmen’s organizations.

Big Bucks for Wildlife in ’26, Courtesy of Hunters & Shooters

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About Dave Workman

Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms, and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.