Ohio Could Vote to Protect the Right to Hunt and Fish Forever

Ohio May Soon Protect the Right to Hunt and Fish

Photo Credit: Game and Fish Magazine

The ballots in Ohio in November of 2026 could carry language that cements a long-standing American tradition right into the state constitution.

Ohio lawmakers are currently discussing a proposal to amend the Ohio Constitution to formally recognize hunting and fishing as constitutional rights. If approved by three-fifths of both legislative chambers, the measure would appear on the general election ballot in November 2026.

So, what does this actually mean for Ohioans?

Honestly right now, not much would change at all.

Seasons, regulations, licensing, conservation rules… all of that stays exactly the same.

But there is one major difference.

Ohioans would no longer have to worry about losing their ability to step into the woods to procure their own meat or head to Ohio’s waters to catch their own fish. This amendment would ensure that hunting and fishing are protected not just today, but for generations to come.

Ohio wouldn’t be blazing a new trail here either. Similar constitutional protections already exist in 23 states. Some adopted them recently (Florida did so in 2024) while others have had them in place for centuries. Vermont recognized the right to hunt and fish all the way back in 1777.

As hunters, how could we not be fired up about this? Permanently protecting our hunting heritage is something worth celebrating.

And for those who don’t hunt or fish, there’s a benefit for you too.

According to multiple sources, Ohio’s hunting and fishing economy contributed more than $1.9 billion last year alone and supported over 12,000 jobs statewide. That means conservation funding, local businesses, tourism, and rural economies all benefit from these traditions.

So what’s the opposition?

As expected, some anti-hunting groups will raise concerns. But in practical terms, this amendment doesn’t loosen regulations or eliminate wildlife management—it does the opposite. It reinforces that hunting and fishing remain the preferred, science-based tools for wildlife conservation and population control.

From conservation to economics to food security, it’s hard to see how this isn’t a win across the board.

At its core, this amendment simply affirms something many Ohioans already believe: hunting and fishing are responsible, ethical ways to manage wildlife and put food on the table—now and forever.