Oregon IP28: Hunting & Fishing Ban Explained

Overview

What Is Oregon Initiative Petition 28?

Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), officially named the People for Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, is a proposed ballot initiative seeking to qualify for the November 2026 Oregon general election ballot.

If passed, IP28 would remove the established exemptions from Oregon's animal abuse statutes that currently protect lawful activities including:

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Hunting

All licensed hunting would be classified as animal abuse under Oregon law.

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Fishing

Sport and commercial fishing would be outlawed statewide.

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Trapping

Legal trapping — including pest and vermin control — would become criminal.

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Farming & Ranching

Raising animals for food, dehorning, tail docking, and castration would be banned.

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Scientific Research

Animal use in education, research, and teaching would be eliminated.

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Tribal Rights

Oregon Tribes are not exempted — subsistence and ceremonial hunting/fishing would be banned.

Additionally, IP28's language would classify standard livestock breeding practices such as artificial insemination as sexual assault under Oregon statutes.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected by IP28?

Approximately one million Oregonians who hunt, fish, trap, or work in agriculture could face criminal liability under IP28. The initiative's reach extends far beyond sportsmen:

Hunters and anglers holding valid Oregon licenses
Farmers, ranchers, and dairy operators
Commercial fishermen and seafood processors
Pest control operators (trapping mice and gophers)
Oregon Tribal members exercising treaty rights
Veterinarians and animal researchers
4-H youth program participants and leaders
Rodeo participants and livestock show organizers

📄 Who Would Be Impacted — Infographic (PDF) 📄 IP28 Rack Card (PDF) 📄 IP28 Effects Summary (PDF)

Conservation Funding

The Hidden Threat: Oregon's Wildlife Funding

Hunting and fishing license fees, combined with federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson excise taxes, represent 45–55% of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) budget — the primary funding source for wildlife management and conservation statewide.

"The General Fund, or Oregon's taxpayer dollars, makes up only 10% of ODFW's budget, nowhere close to the amount needed to operate the agency and benefit Oregon's wildlife." — Sen. David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford), Oregon Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus Co-Chair

If IP28 passes, ODFW would lose the majority of its funding, crippling wildlife management programs for species ranging from elk and deer to salmon and steelhead. Taxpayers would face a significant new burden to maintain current conservation levels — or Oregon's wildlife populations would decline without proper management.

Political Opposition

Bipartisan Legislative Opposition to IP28

The Oregon Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus Senate Co-Chairs — a bipartisan pair — have formally announced their opposition to IP28:

"Hunting and fishing for food is a part of Oregon's heritage and for many of us, part of who we are. Buying locally-raised foods at the local farmers market would be outlawed while restaurant and grocery prices would increase substantially." — Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-Bend), Oregon Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus Co-Chair

Organizations on record opposing IP28 include: Oregon Hunters Association, RMEF, BHA Oregon Chapter, Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, American Kennel Club, Safari Club International, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattlemen's Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers, Wild Sheep Foundation, Oregon Outdoor Council, Oregon Trappers Association, Sportsmen's Alliance, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, and others.

Where It Stands

IP28 Signature Tracker — 2026 Ballot

Signature Collection Progress (as of Feb. 2026)

100,000+ signatures gathered Goal: ~140,000 (to offset invalid sigs) Required: 117,173

IP28 proponents must submit valid signatures by July 2, 2026. As of January 27, 2026, the Oregon Secretary of State had recorded 98,125 submitted signatures. Proponents need approximately 140,000 total submissions to account for expected invalidations.

Background

IP28 History: From IP13 to IP3 to IP28

2020
IP13 filed — Original initiative targeting the 2022 ballot. Would have criminalized hunting, fishing, and trapping.
June 2021
IP13 gets certified ballot language — OHA and partners successfully influenced revisions to more clearly reflect the initiative's impact.
2022
IP13 refiles as IP3 for the 2024 ballot, adding language classifying artificial insemination as sexual assault.
June 2023
IP3 receives $150,000+ in donations, begins hiring paid signature gatherers.
July 2024
IP3 fails to qualify for the 2024 ballot. Proponents immediately refile as IP28 for the 2026 cycle.
Dec. 2024
PETA donates $10,000 — first major national animal rights organization to fund the campaign.
Feb. 2026
100,000+ signatures collected. Bipartisan legislative opposition announced. Media coverage intensifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oregon IP28 — Common Questions Answered

Would IP28 ban hunting in Oregon?

Yes. If passed, IP28 would remove the legal exemption that currently protects hunting from Oregon's animal abuse statutes. All forms of licensed hunting would become criminal acts under Oregon law.

What does the PEACE Act do in Oregon?

The PEACE Act (People for Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions), known as IP28, would eliminate the existing legal exemptions from Oregon's animal abuse statutes for hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, and animal research. Activities currently legal under these exemptions would become criminal offenses.

Is IP28 the same as IP13 and IP3?

Yes, essentially. IP28 is the latest iteration of an initiative that was first filed as IP13 in 2020 and later refiled as IP3 for the 2024 ballot. Each version carries forward the same core goal of eliminating legal exemptions for hunting, fishing, and trapping in Oregon, with some additional language added over time.

How many signatures does IP28 need to get on the ballot?

IP28 requires 117,173 valid signatures by July 2, 2026. Because some signatures will be invalidated, proponents need to collect approximately 140,000 total. As of February 2026, they have submitted over 100,000 signatures.

What can I do to stop IP28?

Until IP28 qualifies or fails to qualify for the ballot (July 2026), the most impactful actions are: (1) Register to vote and encourage others to do the same; (2) Educate family, friends, and coworkers about IP28's effects; (3) Donate to OHA's Hunter Victory Fund to support opposition campaign infrastructure; (4) Share OHA's informational materials at sport shows and community events.

Press Coverage