Is hunting about to become a criminal act in Oregon? In this eye-opening episode of the The Next Ridge, we sit down with Ryan — a 33-year veteran Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Officer — to break down Initiative Petition 28, also known as the Oregon Peace Act. This proposed ballot measure would eliminate the legal exemptions that currently protect hunting, fishing, trapping, and ranching from Oregon's animal abuse statutes, effectively making all forms of licensed hunting a misdemeanor offense punishable by 90–180 days in jail.
Ryan walks us through exactly what IP 28 would criminalize — from deer hunting and crabbing to pest control and euthanizing injured animals — and who it would impact: 330,000+ licensed hunters, 500,000+ licensed anglers, 37,000 farms and ranches, Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, and more. We discuss the economic devastation this would cause to rural Oregon communities, the anti-science approach to wildlife population management promoted by the bill's supporters, and why emotionally-driven conservation policy consistently fails. We also dig into how similar incremental tactics have already been used to effectively end beaver trapping in Oregon starting January 2026.
This isn't just an Oregon issue. If this kind of legislation gains traction on the West Coast, it will move inland — and that means Idaho, Montana, and beyond are next. Whether you're a hunter, angler, rancher, or simply a meat-eater who believes in your right to feed your family, this episode gives you the facts you need to stay informed and get involved.

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