A proposed ballot initiative in Oregon is drawing national concern from conservation leaders who say it could fundamentally change how wildlife is managed in the United States.
During a recent episode of Voices of Montana, filmmaker Tom Opre joined policy leaders from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) to discuss Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), also known as the PEACE Act.
The measure would remove long-standing exemptions in Oregon’s animal cruelty laws. While the language may sound straightforward, critics argue it could have sweeping consequences—potentially criminalizing hunting, fishing, ranching, and common livestock practices.
“This isn’t just about Oregon,” said Jeff Crane, CSF President and CEO. “It’s a bellwether. If this gains traction, it could spread across the country.”
North American Model for Wildlife Conservation
At the center of the debate is the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, a system credited with restoring wildlife populations through science-based management and funding from hunters and anglers.
Marie Neumiller of CSF said IP28 could undermine that model by eliminating key wildlife management tools and disrupting conservation funding.
“If you criminalize hunting and fishing, you remove the primary funding source for conservation,” Neumiller said. “And there’s no replacement system being proposed.”
Supporters of the initiative argue it strengthens animal protections. Opponents counter that the measure oversimplifies complex wildlife policy and could lead to unintended consequences, including increased human-wildlife conflict and reduced habitat management.
Opre, whose documentary The Real Yellowstone explores wildlife conflicts in the West, said the issue reflects a growing disconnect between urban voters and rural realities.
“Conservation isn’t a feeling—it’s an action,” Opre said. “Wildlife thrives when it’s actively managed. When people lose their connection to that, policy decisions can have real-world consequences.”
Guests also warned of a broader trend they call “ballot box biology,” where complex wildlife decisions are decided through voter initiatives rather than by trained wildlife professionals.
State Constitutional Solutions
As for solutions, panelists pointed to increased public education, stronger engagement from sportsmen and rural communities, and constitutional protections such as the right to hunt and fish—now adopted in more than 20 states.
They also emphasized the need for better communication between rural and urban communities.
“Tell your story,” Neumiller said. “When people understand how conservation actually works, they’re more likely to support it.”
With signature gathering underway in Oregon, the outcome of IP28 could have implications far beyond one state—potentially shaping the future of conservation policy nationwide.
Click Here for the Voices of Montana Podcast
