COMMENTARY Righteous Rights For Hunters

It’s long been said that nothing is safe when the Legislature is in session, and ballot Issue Number 1, dredged up when the “Ledge” last assembled, is now coming at Arkansawyers on Nov. 2 as proof yet again of the need for vigilance in all things political.

This newest example of clutter to pad the state’s constitution, already considered by many as a veritable junk heap, is an amendment providing, “the constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.”

Huh? Folks, just how does this change what has long been practiced regarding hunting, fishing, and that most righteous of all human activities, harvesting? There are well established seasons, licenses, locations,weaponry regs, etc. with all the “rights” for these activities a citizenry could possibly need so why amend a state constitution to make this right even righter? According to an article written by the University of Arkansas Extension Service to explain the differing sides to ballot issues (http://ppc. uaex.edu/ballot/FSPPC305. pdf),

“Supporters contend that a constitutional amendment is needed …. because animal rights organizations in otherstates have filed lawsuits and mounted advertising campaigns intended to influence public opinion against hunting and fishing.”

OK, let me get this straight. Because some folks in other states have opinions about hunting and fishing, although no organized effort has appeared in Arkansas, we now are going to vote to amend our state constitution? Loaded guns are now allowed in national parks (just why I don’t know - marauding buffalo, I suppose), and “open carry” laws are multiplying across the country like rabbits. Few people in their right minds, or left minds for that matter, mess with folks who are packin’ so to amend constitutions with hunting “rights” just to show any woosie animallover who’s boss-o-dawoods seems a bit - well, over the top. Are hunters in the great out-of-doors, who are apparently not afraid of zillions of flying bullets or of each other - even when dressed in hot pink - really shaking in their boots because some unarmed folks have exercised their Freedom of Speech rights and have-gasp - another opinion?

And then there’s that little line Number 18 in our state constitution under “Declaration of Rights,” that says, “Privileges and immunities - Equality.

The General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.” Seems to me that handing a constitutional “right” over to one cultural bastion pretty clearly trumps the privileges or immunities (equality) of those with opposite opinions. But wait!

According to the extension service article, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel supports this amendment, which he said, “elevates the importance the state places on hunting and fishing as both a cultural activity and a wildlife management tool.” In light of this year’s political spats, one is left to wonder if McDaniel also feels elevated state employees can drive their state-owned vehicles, while culturally harvesting the state’s wildlife.

For rights to be “fair and balanced” (great slogan, eh?) how about a constitutional right to not be forever anxious about crisscrossed crosshairs blanketing our world.” And how about rights to not have hunters trespassing,nailing deer stands onto trees, putting out bait stations (the pinnacle of sporting behavior), and shooting at every living thing making visitation, even to one’s own property, a foolish risk? How about the right to not be badgered annually to lease hunting rights “because people are hunting there anyway and our club will insure that only we will shoot your game,” or to not be laughed at when you suggest law enforcement officers protect landowners against trespassing or from raining buck shot onto their rooftops in hunting season? Or how about the right to not have camp fires, piles of trash, and animal parts left behind by poachers?

If legislators are so rip-snorting ready to pass rights, how about ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, the one women have been waiting on for 90 years? Seems to me it’s way past time that half of the nation’s citizens should have the same right to rights as hunters get to game.

Ah, but there I go again, trying to live in the 21st century - righteously.

FRAN ALEXANDER IS A FAYETTEVILLE RESIDENT WITH A LONG-STANDING INTEREST IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND AN OPINION ON ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE.

Opinion, Pages 11 on 10/17/2010

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