Petition to ban hunting in Oregon gains traction for November ballot

PORTLAND, ore. (KOIN) — A petition to ban hunting in Oregon is gaining momentum.

Animal rights advocates are fighting to change the law in Oregon, including banning most hunting, fishing and animal research.

One of the people responsible for publicizing this petition says they’ve been trying to put it on the ballot for years, collecting more signatures each time, but he knows it won’t pass.

Supporters call the proposal this: PEACE ActAn acronym for People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty.

The Item Found in OR Cave May Be the Oldest Known Sewn Clothing

“We want to make Oregon the first state to actually vote for something like this,” said David Michelson, the lead petitioner for the PEACE Act. “We recognize that it is unlikely that 50% of Oregonians would be ready to stop killing animals right now. But we want to bring this conversation to the public so we can hopefully move in that direction.”

If approved, the legislation would replace existing Oregon animal cruelty laws, which currently protect pets such as dogs and cats, and expand coverage to include wild animals, livestock and animals used in research. Exemptions will be granted for veterinarians and self-defense.

“Our goal is to introduce people to the fact that they will hear (often for the first time) that there are alternatives to killing animals right now,” Michelson said.

Police searching for suspect in sushi restaurant theft

Acknowledging the need for wildlife management, such as controlling the proliferation of invasive species or pests, Michelson said there are non-lethal ways to achieve this.

“It specifically requires non-lethal forms of wildlife management. This could be the introduction of sterile males into a population,” he said.

Opponents say hunting is an important part of many Oregonians’ lives and economies.

“There are a handful of predators across the state that are making a huge impact on our herbivore species like deer,” said Oregon Hunters Association Hoodview Chapter President Levi Barrera. “If you eliminate hunting, there will be an uncontrolled impact on the population.”

Barrera warns that banning hunting could have a major economic impact in Oregon; And grocery prices are at an all-time high, especially for those who rely on them to put meat on the table.

“Even the larger towns that rely not only on the economic and fishing side, but also on the agriculture side,” he said. “They have a huge impact on communities that rely on hunting and fishing and really sustaining their communities and their families year-round. Industries that rely on hunting and fishing, you know, coastal towns, rely heavily on fishing and salmon fishing.”

Winter Weather Advisory issued for parts of Oregon

Michelson argues that a transition fund included in the PEACE Act would help provide food aid to people who currently depend on animals hunted for meat. Funding can also be used for animal care and vocational retraining programs.

The lead petitioner says they have more than 100,000 signatures so far. By law, they need 117,173 verified signatures by July 2 to qualify for the November ballot.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, go to KOIN.com.