SCOTT BAUER / The Associated Press | Posted: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 6:00 pm
Enshrining the right to hunt, fish and trap in the Nebraska Constitution got shot down last year in the Legislature, but its proponents hope to bring more firepower to the issue this session.
The proposed amendment was back at center stage Thursday at a hearing before the Natural Resources Committee.
Sponsor Sen. Ed Schrock of Elm Creek said backers of the measure have been talking to senators about the issue and he expects support for it to be strong.
"The legislative body isn't necessarily perceived well by the public and this is something the public wants," Schrock said. "We just want to make a statement that this is what we do in Nebraska."
The proposal (LR8CA) would add one paragraph to the state constitution saying that fishing, trapping, and hunting are a "valued part of the heritage of the people and will be a right forever preserved." It would allow for passage of reasonable laws to regulate hunting.
Just as happened two years ago when it was subject to a hearing, no one spoke against the proposal Thursday. Supporters included the Nebraska Sportsmen's Foundation, which represents most hunting, fishing and trapping groups, the state Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers led the opposition last year, arguing the amendment was unnecessary and would clutter the constitution. He promised to tie up debate on the measure by introducing a number of amendments to do such things as protecting the right to hunt Martians, Bigfoot and Osama bin Laden.
But proponents of the amendment says even though there has been no organized attempt to restrict hunting, fishing or trapping in Nebraska, the protection is needed to ward off any future restriction attempts.
"Threats to our time-honored traditions are very real," said Wes Sheets, who represented the sportsmen groups.
Animal rights groups are trying to diminish the opportunity to hunt and fish across the country, Sheets said.
"Most of us in the rural communities and the hunting and fishing communities are starting to see a cultural change," Schrock said.
Schrock cited as an example a 1990 ban in California on hunting mountain lions. Sheets mentioned campaigns by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals opposing fishing, saying it causes pain to the fish.
Schrock said he again expects opposition to the measure, but he hopes to have it debated early to see if it can be passed. In addition to Schrock, 33 of the other 48 senators signed on as co-sponsors of the measure. That is one more than needed to stop a filibuster.
If passed by the Legislature, voters would have to approve the amendment in 2006. Eleven other states have similar protections in law or the constitution. Two other states, Rhode Island and California, have amendments protecting the right to fish.
There are more than 173,000 hunters and 296,000 fishermen in Nebraska.