New poll puts Florida right to hunt and fish effort at 74% support

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new Florida Chamber of Commerce statewide poll revealed 74% of voters support a ballot amendment that would protect the right to fish and hunt in Florida by locking it into the state’s constitution.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce voter survey, administered from April 28 to May 7, 2024 by Cherry Communications and consisted of 223 Democrats, 256 Republicans, and 130 respondents identifying as other, totaling 609 participants statewide.

The proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution 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.”

The poll revealed 74% of Florida voters support the proposed ballot amendment, with only 14% opposed and 11% either undecided or refused to answer. It was the amendment initiative with the highest level of support.

The amendment will be on the November ballot. At least 60% of the vote is required in order for it to pass.

A proposed initiative for the ballot amendment aiming to promote and help pass Amendment 2 launched at the end of April.

The campaign is called “YES ON 2.” The chairman of the campaign and a former commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Joshua Kellam said fishing and hunting is “our God given right” and has been “under attack across the country.”

“There’s been a push across the country for additional restrictions on fishing and hunting in a number of states,” Kellam told Florida’s Voice. “Florida was a target, and we wanted to make sure that we got to get ahead of it before really strong activist groups started to ramp up their efforts.”

According to the “YES ON 2” website, hunting and fishing bans were “considered” in at least a dozen states in 2022.

Kellam said the campaign has garnered support from a number of companies and individuals. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson donated $100,000 to the campaign.

“Fishing and hunting are inextricably linked to our economy, our lifestyle and the conservation of our land here in Florida,” Simpson said. “I’m proud to support this vitally important campaign to protect our rights to fish and hunt in Florida, and urge fellow leaders to join me in ensuring Yes on 2 has the resources needed to cross the 60% necessary to pass in November.”

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, recreational fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing generate an economic impact of $10.1 billion annually for the state.

T. Roosevelt Action, an environmental conservation group, announced a $250,000 contribution to the campaign.

“We are thrilled to announce a contribution of $250,000 to the ‘Yes on 2!’ Committee in Florida, advocating for the passage of the constitutional right to fish and hunt amendment,” CEO of T. Roosevelt Action Luke Hilgemann said.

“At T. Roosevelt Action, we are proud to take a leadership role in this crucial effort, demonstrating our commitment to forever protect the cherished fishing, hunting, and conservation traditions in Florida for all to enjoy,” he said.

The joint resolution previously passed with bipartisan support through the Florida Legislature 154-1. Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, was the only lawmaker to vote against it.

“We have extremely strong support for this amendment, and so I don’t know why somebody would vote against this,” Kellam said. “It really is protection of rights. And I think that we clearly have strong bipartisan support in protecting our rights, and especially our God given rights.”

The amendment is supported by the American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Sportsman’s Conservation Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, the International Order of T. Roosevelt and more.

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