Right to Fish and Hunt Constitutional Amendment Heads to Florida Voters

[Tallahassee, Fla.] – International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR) and T. Roosevelt Action Executive Director Luke Hilgemann issued the following statement after the Florida Senate passed a resolution that, if approved by voters, would make Florida the 24th state to pass a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt.

“Florida’s Legislature is standing up to protect the rights of anglers and hunters. The International Order of T. Roosevelt and T. Roosevelt Action want to thank Rep. Lauren Melo and Sen. Jason Brodeur for their efforts to pass this resolution. The rights of anglers and hunters across America are under attack. The best way to stand up to radical activists and out-of-touch politicians is to pass constitutional amendments to enshrine our freedoms for future generations. As the decision heads to voters, IOTR stands ready to lead the fight in Florida to pass an amendment that will protect Florida’s anglers and hunters.”

IOTR and T. Roosevelt Action want to also extend special thanks to Sen. Ben Albritton, Sen. Jim Boyd, Sen. Debbie Mayfield, Sen. Jay Trumbull, and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo for their support in passing the resolution. 

Florida’s saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing industries generate $13.8 billion in annual economic impact for Florida and support 120,000 jobs. On land, Florida’s hunters and target shooters generate a $2 billion economic impact that includes 14,300 jobs.

In order to inform Florida citizens and educate them on the constitutional amendment, International Order of T. Roosevelt launched an advertising campaign. The digital advocacy strategically reached hunters and lawmakers across the state of Florida promoting the lack of a constitutional right to hunt and fish. IOTR is also actively promoting the rights of anglers and hunters in other states, including Iowa, Ohio, and South Dakota.

There is widespread support in Florida for this legislation. Other prominent outdoor organizations and individuals joining IOTR to support efforts in Florida to amend the constitution include: 

  • Rodney Barreto, Chairman, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Delta Waterfowl
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Safari Club International
  • Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
  • National Shooting Sports Foundation
  • National Deer Association
  • Izaak Walton League Cypress Chapter
  • Florida Guides Association
  • American Sportfishing Association
  • Coastal Conservation Association Florida
  • American Daughters of Conservation
  • All Florida
  • Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
  • Florida Airboat Association
  • United Waterfowlers of Florida
  • Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
  • Howl.org
  • Future of Hunting in Florida
  • Florida Sportsmen’s Conservation Association

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    Formerly known as the Shikar Safari Club International Foundation, the newly rebranded International Order of T. Roosevelt is a hunting and conservation foundation focused on proactively protecting the rights of hunters and sustaining the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.