WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Since humans moved to Florida en masse over 100 years ago, there has been a constant battle between human development and the preservation of animal habitat.

There has always been a delicate balance between a person’s right to a safe life and the ability to hunt and fish for pleasure and subsistence – and the protection of wildlife populations throughout the state.

That is the problem with Amendment 2 entitled “The right to fish and hunt”.

It states: “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Florida to forever preserve fishing and hunting, including through the use of traditional methods, as a public right and the preferred means for the responsible management and control of fish and wildlife.”

It adds that this would not limit the powers of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

See also: Ballot 101: What Amendment 1 Actually Means for School Boards

The people who vote for this amendment want to prevent hunting and fishing bans. They believe this would protect Florida’s economy, as hunting and fishing have a $15.8 billion economic impact.

But those who oppose it take issue with the terminology that suggests killing animals would become the primary method of dealing with wildlife. They believe that protecting and relocating problem wildlife should not always come second to killing them. Opponents of the change also worry that hunting and fishing rights would supersede personal property rights and that you wouldn’t be able to keep hunters off your property. And they worry that hunting and fishing could be expanded into state parks and wildlife refuges.

It is important to note that Florida already protects the right to hunt and fish. Florida law recognizes that: “Hunting, fishing and game capture are a valued part of Florida’s cultural heritage and should be preserved forever for the benefit of Floridians.” This is already written in the Constitution.

A “yes” vote on Amendment 2 means there will be fewer protections for some animals in our state and there will also be fewer restrictions on where and what a Floridian can fish and hunt. If we vote “no,” things will remain as they are now.

You can access all of our Ballot 101 segments now at www.cbs12.com to help you prepare to vote.

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