Oregon hunters received encouraging news this month as one of the nation’s most controversial anti-hunting ballot initiatives failed to clear the first hurdle required to reach the November 2026 ballot.
Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), also known by supporters as the PEACE Act, sought sweeping changes to Oregon’s animal cruelty laws. Opponents argued the proposal would effectively criminalize many forms of legal hunting, fishing, trapping, and livestock production by greatly limiting when animals could legally be killed or harmed.
After reviewing submitted petition signatures, the Oregon Secretary of State’s office determined the campaign did not meet the threshold during its initial statistical verification. While the measure has not officially qualified for the November ballot, the process is not completely over. State election officials are conducting a secondary review to determine whether enough valid signatures ultimately exist to certify the initiative.
The proposal generated intense debate across Oregon. Hunting, angling, agricultural, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations warned that the measure’s broad language could have far-reaching consequences beyond recreational hunting. Critics argued it could expose hunters, anglers, ranchers, veterinarians, wildlife managers, and even pet owners to legal uncertainty by significantly expanding criminal liability involving animals. Supporters, meanwhile, described the initiative as a major step toward stronger animal welfare protections.
Although the initial verification result is welcome news for Oregon’s hunting community, the issue is not entirely settled. If additional signature verification were to produce enough valid signatures, IP 28 could still appear on the November ballot. If not, the initiative effort would end for the 2026 election cycle.
For hunters, the development underscores the importance of staying engaged in wildlife policy. Ballot initiatives can directly affect hunting opportunities, wildlife management, and conservation funding, making public participation in the process just as important as time spent in the field.
Hunterizer will continue monitoring developments surrounding Oregon’s hunting regulations and ballot measures. The Hunterizer app helps Oregon hunters stay current with season dates, regulations, hunting maps, and the latest hunting news, making it easier to know what you can hunt today and keep up with important changes that may affect your next season.
