North Carolina voters passed a ballot initiative establishing hunting and fishing as rights protected in the state’s constitution.

The measure was introduced to the ballot by Republicans in the state legislature, and the referendum passed in the general election, with the state’s voters approving it by approximately 57 percent to 44 percent.

The amendment states, in part, “The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of the State’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good.”

Funding Conservation

The amendment also establishes hunting and fishing as the state’s preferred means of wildlife management. Hunting and fishing remain subject to laws passed by the state’s General Assembly for wildlife conservation and management.

Hunters and anglers pay for…