This appeared in the Florida Guides Association's newsletter, written by FGA President Capt Dylan Hubbard..
YES ON 2
We had a great time at ICAST pushing for the right to hunt and fish which will be on the Florida ballot this coming November in Florida as Amendment 2. We had great support around the show from our partners, friends, and fellow industry folks supporting "Yes on 2’ which is the phrasing we will continue to push hard as we approach the upcoming election.
The upcoming election is a golden opportunity to enshrine our right to hunt and fish into our Florida state constitution. We will be the 24th state to do this and we will be further protecting our ability to enjoy our pastimes, lifestyles, and livelihoods for years to come.
Keep in mind there have been movements in other states, like Oregon, to criminalize hunting and fishing If you look at the opposition we have faced along the road thus far it's clear there is a TON of money and power fighting our ability to pass Amendment 2 in November and if we do it will protect our right to hunt and fish. We want these activities as a right and not a privilege to ensure they are more long-term and not as easily intruded upon.
Some are spreading misinformation — like how this could affect the net ban which is a comical attempt to dissuade folks from supporting the Amendment 2 ‘right to hunt and fish’. However, anyone who looks at this with any degree of constitutional knowledge knows that these things are already harmonious and thus voting yes on 2 to enshrine our rights to hunt and fish would not make things already illegal all of a sudden legal.
For example, trespassing, hunting deer with spotlights at night, and gillnets are all illegal ways to harvest animals and fish. If this amendment passed, which we hope it will, none of that would suddenly become legal. The language in Amendment 2 will simply be read as a part of the constitution and harmoniously be added to the language already establishing those worrisome methodologies as illegal.
Don’t fall into the opposition’s trap… they have even flagged the supporting website so we can no longer share it on Facebook, but if you want more information and who’s behind this, check out the YES ON 2 Florida website - https://yeson2florida.com/
If you want to read the simple, clear, and three-sentence long amendment language without anything hidden in the text, it is all available publicly. The following link will even show you the opposition and some of their arguments… like this one, which is the top result and comical as all get out. "We are in the midst of a global extinction crisis and a climate crisis. Our wildlife needs a break from the carnage…”
here’s the link to read text and more - https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_2,_Right_to_Hunt_and_Fish_Amendment_(2024)
So that’s what we face as opposition, people who feel hunters and anglers are at fault for the carnage of our wildlife, we need to pull together, unite, and get this thing passed!
Make sure to tell all your friends to VOTE YES ON 2’ in Florida this November and make sure to share the info with any and all that you can!
Tight lines and following seas,
Capt Dylan Hubbard
President, FGA
cell -> (727)420-9485
