Making fishing and hunting a constitutional right might just be the most quintessentially Florida move—and on Election Day, Floridians affirmed this by voting to approve Amendment 2.
The amendment stated it would “preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section of Article IV of the State Constitution.”
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The amendment, which only needed 60% of the vote to pass, received a 67% “yes” from Florida voters.
Florida Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt
Amendment Two would add language to the constitution regarding fishing and hunting, also relating it to managing the population of fish and wildlife. READ MORE
Votes
%
Yes
No
(5,574 / 5,631)
But what does that truly mean? For now, not much, really.
Floridians will still need a license for fishing and hunting, and there will still be seasons and regulations. FWC still currently controls public licenses, permits, when and where people can hunt and fish, and how much they can take.
Government law attorney Chris Hand explained that these rights previously existed in the Florida statutes but now have more permanent protections.
“There had been some opposition during the campaign, some concerns from conservationists and others on how it might impact their efforts,” Hand said. “But, obviously, at the end of the day, Floridians decided by an overwhelming majority that they did want those protections in the constitution.”
In a state with an overfishing problem and unique wildlife, some feared Amendment 2 would take away the power of restrictions on hunting and overfishing. However, Hand told News4JAX it’s to be determined and a continuing conversation.
“Amendments get passed but then the legislature has a role to play in implementing those amendments and deciding how those regulations work going forward,” Hand said. “That’s something citizens will need to monitor closely in the 2025 legislative session and watching the work of state government.”
News4JAX reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to further understand how Amendment 2 impacts the agency.
Shannon Knowles, the Communication Director for FWC, sent News4JAX the statement below.
The amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV of the Florida Constitution. FWC will continue to exercise the regulatory and executive powers of the state with respect to wild animal life and freshwater aquatic life, and marine life.
Communication Director for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Even though the FWC said their authority won’t be limited, Hand said it’s still to be determined when it comes to legislation. He said amendments get passed, but the legislature has a role to play in implementing the amendments and deciding how those regulations will work. He suggests Floridians monitor the upcoming 2025 legislative session closely.
Breaking down the amendment
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) currently controls the public’s license and permits, hunting and fishing seasons, means of take, bag limits and authorized hunting and fishing areas. This applies to Florida’s wild animal life, freshwater and marine life.
The FWC prohibits the interference or prevention of lawful hunting and fishing for fish, game and nongame animals.
According to an analysis of the bill that put the question on the ballot, the Florida Legislature proposed the amendment when they recognized that hunting and fishing are large components of Florida’s culture and economy. Along with that, the passing of the amendment can have a positive effect on the conservation, preservation and management of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources.
The new section of Article I of the Florida Constitution will state, “Fishing, hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, shall be preserved forever as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”
The FWC’s authority to regulate wild animal life, freshwater and marine life will not be limited. The site states that saltwater and freshwater fishing brings Florida $13.8 billion and hunting brings $2 billion annually.
To read more on Amendment 2, and other Amendments voted on during the 2024 election, click here.
