Growing the Steelheaders Community
March 5, 2026
Spring Plunking Clinic Recap
April 1, 2026
Dear NW Steelheaders members, guides, anglers, and conservation advocates,
Many of you have heard about Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), a proposal that could appear on Oregon ballots this November. If enacted, this measure would have sweeping consequences for outdoor recreation, agriculture, and wildlife management.
In short, IP 28 would criminalize injuring or killing animals. Activities that are currently legal and widely practiced—including farming, ranching, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control, research, and animal breeding—would become criminal offenses. The measure also does not provide exemptions for cultural practices, a clear violation of tribal treaty rights.
Conversations about food systems and ethical sourcing are important and personal. Many people choose different dietary paths, and those choices deserve respect. At the same time, many Oregonians choose to harvest fish and game responsibly and value the connection to nature and food that those traditions provide. That connection remains an important part of our outdoor heritage, and The Association of Northwest Steelheaders remains committed to its preservation.
The Association of Northwest Steelheaders strongly opposes IP 28. This proposal represents a direct threat to recreational fishing and to the broader systems that support wildlife conservation and responsible resource management.
If you are already familiar with IP 28, we encourage you to stay engaged and consider supporting efforts to defeat it. If you are hearing about it for the first time, we encourage you to learn more about its implications.
What IP 28 Means for Recreational Angling
The campaign promoting IP 28 frames the measure as an effort to end animal cruelty. However, the language of the initiative goes far beyond that goal. If enacted, the proposal would effectively outlaw recreational fishing, and shellfish harvesting, in Oregon’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. The broader implications would effectively outlaw agriculture, wildlife management, pest control, scientific research, and responsible animal husbandry across the state.
Supporters of IP 28 have claimed that the measure would not affect conservation funding. However, hunters and anglers know firsthand that license sales, excise taxes on equipment, and related funding streams generate millions of dollars annually for conservation and habitat restoration. Eliminating these activities would largely defund Oregon’s wildlife management programs.
An Opportunity to Engage and Inform
While this proposal presents a serious challenge, it also creates an opportunity for the outdoor community to come together and ensure that voters receive accurate information. This effort allows us to highlight the positive role that anglers play in conservation. Through fishing licenses, equipment purchases, and volunteer work, recreational anglers contribute millions of dollars annually toward habitat restoration, fish recovery efforts, and wildlife conservation. Simply put, anglers are among the strongest advocates for healthy fisheries and thriving ecosystems.
We encourage you to speak with friends, neighbors, legislators and fellow outdoor enthusiasts about IP 28. Clear, respectful conversations can help ensure that people understand the full implications of the proposal before being asked to sign petitions or vote on the measure.
The Status of IP 28
IP 28 has not yet qualified for the ballot, but its organizers are approaching the required number of verified signatures. To qualify for the November 2026 ballot, the campaign must submit approximately 117,000 valid signatures. As of February, campaign reports suggest they have collected around 105,000 signatures.
It is our hope that the measure will not reach the ballot. However, if it does, it will be essential that voters understand the full scope and consequences of the proposal. We will work alongside our recreation and conservation partners to educate voters and oppose this measure.
Where Things Are Headed with IP28
IP 28 could reach ballots in Oregon, and ballot measures can produce unpredictable outcomes. While we would prefer to focus our time and resources on real conservation work and angler education, we must also be prepared to address policies that threaten the future of recreational fishing.
If IP 28 gathers the required number of signatures for the ballot, we will fight it every step of the way. Responding to this measure will require coordination and resources. Funding will be needed to challenge its certification, conduct voter outreach, develop educational materials, and purchase advertisements so that voters across Oregon understand the implications of the proposal.
If you are interested in supporting this effort, additional contributions will help strengthen the work we are doing alongside our coalition partners. Please use the donation button below to support these efforts.
Thank you for your time, your engagement, and your ongoing commitment to Oregon’s fisheries and outdoor heritage.
I hope to see you on the water soon.
Sincerely,
James Adkins
Executive Director
For more information
Our friends at Oregon Hunters Association are doing incredible work to inform the outdoor recreation community. They have compiled information and educational materials on IP28 which you can review here for more information.
