On November 3, more than 81 percent of Texas voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 6 — a constitutional amendment that guarantees Texans the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife. With the passage of this Proposition, Texas became the 19th state to amend its constitution to ensure the protection of its hunting, angling and trapping traditions.
Proposition 6 was the result of SJR 22, which passed both chambers of the Texas State Legislature on May 20. Sponsored by Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Senator Brandon Creighton, SJR 22 passed the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming support: 111 – 1 vote in favor of the proposed amendment. In the Texas State Senate, SJR 22 received similar support, passing with a bipartisan vote of 27 – 3 in favor. Also instrumental in the passage of the proposed amendment was Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Trent Ashby, who introduced HJR 61 (the House version of the bill), setting the stage for the passage of SJR 22 in the full Texas House.
Dallas Safari Club, along with the support of the National Rifle Association and the Texas Outdoor Partnership, among others, worked to shepherd this constitutional amendment from conception to the ballot box.
“As urbanization increases across the country, it’s critical that we work to ensure our sportsmen’s heritage for future generations,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane. “We commend the members of the Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the sportsmen and women of Texas for their efforts to protect hunting and fishing in perpetuity for the Lone Star State.”
Texas has one of the largest sportsmen’s communities in the country, with 2.7 million hunters and anglers spending more than $4 billion annually and supporting more than 65,000 jobs statewide.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
