Mon
Oct 11 2010
08:08 am
Vote YES on the right to hunt and fish amendment
By: R. Neal

At first I thought it was stupid. Now I'm warming to the idea. In fact, I urge you vote YES on the state constitution amendment guaranteeing the right to hunt and fish.

Here's why.

In order to exercise our constitutional right to hunt and fish there must be sustainable habitat for fish and game. Therefore, any action that threatens fish and wildlife habitat is unconstitutional.

That means stormwater runoff and agricultural waste that degrade water quality would be unconstitutional. So would coal-fired power plant emissions that degrade air and water quality and impact forest growth and sustainable fisheries. Mountaintop removal mining, clear cutting, and ridgetop development that destroy natural wildlife habitat would be a violation of your constitutional rights.

Works for me.

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WhitesCreek's picture

The correct vote is to not vote on this

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2010/10/11 - 10:09am.

I almost agree with you except that I am extremely concerned with the unintended consequences of the wording. I read it to state that all non game species may be hunted as long as they are not threatened:

Traditional manners and means may be used to
take non-threatened species.

I read that to mean that dogs, cats, horses, and now that they are not on the endangered species list, Bald Eagles may be hunted.

fischbobber's picture

I would be more concerned

Submitted by fischbobber on Mon, 2010/10/11 - 10:25am.

I would be more concerned about the part of the amendment that transfers traditional powers of the TWRA over to the legislature.

The state legislature has no business managing fish and game.

Andy Axel's picture

Despite the wishful thinking

Submitted by Andy Axel on Mon, 2010/10/11 - 10:25am.

Despite the wishful thinking inherent in states' rights worship to the contrary, the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act would still apply.

In this regard - don't forget to send in your comments about the proposed hunt for Sandhill Cranes...

(link...)

Three populations of sandhill cranes are hunted in 11 states and three provinces in the Central and Pacific Flyways, with many hunters from more eastern states traveling to the Central Flyway to harvest ducks, geese and sandhill cranes. As the population of these highly visible birds increases in the home areas of these hunters, they want to hunt them locally.

TWRA appreciates your comments on the proposed hunt plan for Sandhill Cranes. TWRA will be accepting comments on the plan until the January 2011 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.

R. Neal's picture

That is unfortunate wording.

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2010/10/11 - 10:25am.

That is unfortunate wording. Everything else in the bill, including the statement of legislative intent, refers specifically to "game," which state law defines. Are humans "non-threatened species?"

MemphisSlim's picture

The intent was to preserve the right to hunt and fish, these

Submitted by MemphisSlim (not verified) on Mon, 2010/10/11 - 11:10am.

additional consequences and the additional limitations under the tennessee constitution regarding the maintenance of fisheries and habitats for water fowl and birds is an extra whammy, I'm warmed up to it

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