hunting a 'right' in your state?

[Brian Krebs]

Is hunting a right or a 'priviledge' in your state?  Which state do you live in?

[fatman]

Brian, that's a tricky one....

BTW, I live in Kansas

Getting in to semantics, I suppose that any activity that requires a license could be considered a priviledge...and something that could be taken away based on the behavior of the individual.  Also, the fact that Hunter's Safety is required would indicate that it's a priviledge

However, I'd like to think that Kansas is, in general, a "hunter friendly" state, meaning that the vast majority of its residents do not OPPOSE hunting.  We have a former governor that heads the KDWP.  Most legislators, especially those from the rural areas (which is the largest area) view hunting as an important economic factor in their districts.  And the Fish & Game Commission has been very studious in promoting non-resident hunting while still protecting the resource and trying to provide access for residents...

Interesting line of thought...where are you going with this?

[vermonster13]

In Vermont it is a constitutional right since the first day we joined the Union. Rights have responsibilities also or they can be lost. Voting is a right of citizens that can be lost also. So the need for a license doesn't mean it is a privilege and don't let semantics and language confuse the issue, those who oppose hunting try that all the time.

[fatman]

Ok...but does requiring an individual to pass a test (Hunter Safety) then make it a priviledge?

A "right" would make it available to all citizens, not just those that could meet a certain standard.  And I do see the issue that rights can be lost if certain standards of behavior are not met...good point...

I don't find anything in the Kansas State Constitution specifically guaranteeing hunting as a Right.

Kevin

[Brian Krebs]

So - Vermont is a state where hunting is a right- any other states?

There are rights that are not enumerated in the constitution; and there are rights that are not.


 Some places you have to pass a marriage test before marriage- its normally a medical test- but a test none the less.

 What I am trying to find out; is what States have hunting enumerated: as a right.

We have younger members reading also Brian. VM13

[Brian Krebs]

From Vermonts constitution:

§ 67. Hunting; fowling and fishing

The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty in seasonable times, to hunt and fowl on the lands they hold, and on other lands not inclosed, and in like manner to fish in all boatable and other waters (not private property) under proper regulations, to be made and provided by the General Assembly.

[Bonebuster]

When my kids took hunters safety a couple years back, there was a C.O. from the Michigan DNR invited to speak to all the participants of the class.

The second time she told all of the students that hunting was a priviledge, and not a right, I simply could not hold my tongue any longer. Not wanting to interrupt her speech, I raised my hand.
She KNEW what I wanted to say, and avoided me for as long as possible. Finally, she had to acknowledge me, and I politely let her know that I dissagreed with her and that I believed that hunting was indeed a right of the people, and by no means was it considered a priviledge. There were a few adult women who were taking hunter safety, and they spoke up, one by one, and agreed with me. As did many of the instructors. The Conservation Officer, however did not agree with me.

I asked her point blank, if Michigan law considered hunting a right or a priviledge, she never answered me. If looks could kill, I would have long been rotted and turned to dust.

[matt schuster]

In Georgia, we voted to protect hunting as a right last year.    Our founding fathers would have said that hunting is a right and they could not have imagined a state strong enough to take away that right.   They felt rights were granted by God, not granted by the state.   Unfortunately, that is not the way we currently view the Constitution.   It would be very hard to convince me that I do not have an inalienable right to hunt on my own property.   Of course, the way things are now, the government can even take away my property to sell to a developer if they want to so in reality, I really have no rights of any kind.    Sad, but true.

[Daddy Bear]

Virginia - Right.

[rod251]

The freedom to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife, including all aquatic life, traditionally taken by hunters, trappers and anglers, is a valued natural heritage that shall be forever preserved for the people. -Louisiana State Constitution, Article I, Section 27

[Brian Krebs]

Sounds like Louisiana has it right  

[Rick P]

Bone buster in Michigan hunting has no constitutional protection and therefore is legally a privilege.

In Alaska the resources must be "maintained for the good of all citizens" and Hunting is a constitutionally protected "right"

Hate to point this out guys but in today's world you don't even have the right to live in your own home!(See the supreme court decision allowing for the seizure of private property too increases public tax base) Folks in Amerika had better wake up and start fighting for the rights our constitution spells out or soon they will be gone, and hunting is the least of those rights we are loosing!

(Yep Amerika is spelled America, that was not a typo!)

[John3]

I don't know if this link is "legal" here at the gang... but check your state.

Missouri hunters rights are protected.

 http://www.serconline.org/huntandfish.html

[Widowbender]

Not in North Carolina

David

[Dozer]

This may sound extreme but here goes... Be it al 'right' or a 'privilege' I will hunt. Give me the opportunity to hunt during specific times of the year with a vaild purchased tag and I will obey the law and do so. Take away this 'right' or 'privilege' and I'll hunt any time I feel like it anyway.

[toddster]

Illinois, they appear to believe it is a priviledge, not a right, genisis 27:3 to me.

[Brian Krebs]

check this out:  http://www.nraila.org/Hunting/Read/HuntingArticles.aspx?ID=324  

I am saying we need this in every state.

[vermonster13]

I'm pretty happy with the set-up we have here Brian. The one you listed would be great for the states without constitutional protection in place now.