HJR2: More than meets the eye

If HJR2 were simply a restatement of what is already a right of Idahoans, then it is unnecessary at best. But it is not as harmless as it may appear.

Even if you don’t know or care about the suffering of 40,000 Idaho animals each year that suffer painful slow deaths in snares and leg-hold traps, VOTE NO on HJR2. This proposed constitutional amendment does no good and can do great harm.

The 99.9 percent of Idahoans who do not trap for commercial gain or “sport” should not let the other .1 percent change our constitution. This confusing amendment would set a very bad precedent in allowing special interest groups access to amend our constitution. Our current 22 amendments are rights that apply to everyone, just as it should be.

HJR2 made it onto the ballot with hasty house and senate votes and without the constitutionally required reading aloud and floor discussion, calling it an “emergency” action. Where’s the emergency? That’s an appalling end-run around our constitution.

HJR2 states “the rights to hunt, fish and trap, including by the use of traditional methods” (whatever that means?)…“shall forever be preserved for the people…and be a preferred means of managing wildlife.” But in the future, what if other methods of managing wildlife are preferred by the people of Idaho and/or by wildlife professionals? HJR2 sets us up for costly litigation and the need to rescind this constitutional amendment.

Protect the rights of ALL citizens and the value of Idaho’s constitution. Vote NO on HJR2.

RONNEE McGEE

Coeur d’Alene