Purpose:
To eliminate private property trespass laws for licensed hunters and fishermen in Idaho, ensuring access to public wildlife resources for sustenance and tradition.

 

Introduction:
A responsible parent feeds their family and teaches their children fairness, ethics, and tradition. For struggling families, this often includes hunting or fishing for sustenance. Yet, there comes a moment in every hunter's or angler's life when the next meal may be just beyond reach on private land. In Idaho, private property laws allow landowners to deny access to animals harvested on their land, leaving game to waste and families with empty stomachs.

This creates an imbalance, where private landowners hold power over public wildlife, effectively granting them control over Idaho’s publicly owned resources and the stomachs of the American citizen. It is unjust for private property rights to override the public’s right to seek food, especially during times of need.

 

Why This Change is Needed:
Hunting and fishing are instinctual human practices, vital for sustaining families in times of hardship. The current Idaho private property laws grant landowners undue authority over public wildlife, echoing feudal systems where lords controlled all land and resources. This outdated model contradicts the founding principles of American democracy, which ensure equality and fairness for all citizens.

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The Idaho Fish and Game is funded through the selling of hunting tags, fishing and hunting licenses, and additional permits. The land owners are then given power over the sportsman's property that they funded to support. 

This petition aims to restore balance, protect public access to wildlife, and uphold Idaho’s tradition of self-sufficiency and survival.

 

We, the People of Idaho, Demand the Following Changes:
1) Eliminate Private Property Trespass Laws for licensed hunters and fishermen on properties one acre or more, allowing them to access public wildlife resources ethically and responsibly.
2) Affirm that all wildlife in Idaho is public property, ensuring no private landowner can unjustly deny access to harvested game.
3) Guarantee the right to harvest, stating that hunters and fishermen retain ownership of their game, regardless of where the animal was hunted, killed, or dispatched.
4) Rewrite the law to prioritize safety and rights of the hunter or fisherman, ensuring the well-being of hunters, wildlife, and property occupants.
5) Allow Easement and Active Hunting or Fishing on private land, provided it does not disrupt business operations or pose any risk to inhabitants or laborers.
6) Grant Easement on Properties Less Than One Acre for hunters and fishermen to pass through or retrieve game that has crossed property lines.
  

Why This Matters:
Food Security: This change would help hungry American families facing food insecurity by expanding access to hunting and fishing grounds.
Ethical Wildlife Management: It prevents the waste of public wildlife, ensuring animals hunted for sustenance are not left to spoil.
Preserving Tradition and Culture: Idaho’s heritage of hunting and fishing is deeply rooted in the fabric of its communities. These changes protect this tradition for future generations.
 

Take Action:
Sign this petition to support the right to hunt and fish for food in Idaho. Let’s balance private property rights with the public’s right to access wildlife resources for sustenance and tradition.

 

Share This Petition:
Spread the word by sharing this petition with your friends, family, and fellow Idahoans. Together, we can restore fairness and protect Idaho’s hunting and fishing heritage.