A petition that would ban most hunting, fishing, and animal research in Oregon has nearly enough signatures to qualify for a ballot measure. The petition, organized by animal rights advocates, would change how animals are treated under state law. The group that started the petition is called the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions, or PEACE, KATU noted. A petition to ban hunting and ranching in Oregon is nearing the number of signatures needed to be placed on this fall's ballot. David Michelson, the organizer of Initiative Petition 28, said supporters have gathered about 105,000 of the 117,713 verified… https://t.co/3vG2YrdQzN pic.twitter.com/COD64826j0 — The Western Journal (@WesternJournalX) February 17, 2026 KATU has more: The initiative “criminalizes injuring or killing animals, including killing for food, hunting, fishing; criminalizes breeding practices.” More specifically, injuring or killing animals, including farming, ranching, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control, research/teaching; criminalizes breeding practices, would all be a crime. The only exceptions are some veterinary practices and self-defense, like if a pest becomes a health risk. “There are so many different alternatives. Thirty percent of Oregon agricultural sales are animal related, 70% are crops. We can have 100% of those be crops if we wanted to,” David Michelson, chief petitioner of IP28 told KATU. “We’re inspired a lot by the women’s suffrage movement, which used the ballot initiative tactic to get the right to vote. And in Oregon, it took six election cycles before it finally passed,” Michelson said, according to KPTV. The petition currently has about 105,000 signatures. It needs 117,173 verified signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. “There’s no indication how many of the signatures gathered so far will be verified,” KPTV stated. The initiative “criminalizes injuring or killing animals, including killing for food, hunting, fishing; criminalizes breeding practices.”https://t.co/hCLvSrsHXu — KATU News (@KATUNews) February 17, 2026 KPTV shared further: If it makes it on the ballot and is approved by voters in November, the protections that currently apply to pets such as dogs and cats would extend to wild animals, livestock and animals used in research. Supporters call the proposal the PEACE Act, short for People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions. Supporters say the measure is intended to protect animals from abuse, neglect, and killing. Opponents, including the Oregon Hunters Association, say it would force Oregonians onto a vegan diet or force people have their meat products shipped in from other states. They say it would destroy entire industries, including agriculture, fishing, hunting, scientific research, food production, pest control and restaurants. Amy Patrick with the Oregon Hunters Association said a passage of this proposal would effect everyone in Oregon. I’m hopeful that Oregonians, will not vote ‘yes’ on this. I’m hopeful that whether you’re in an urban region or a rural region, you understand what makes Oregon great. And part of that is our wildlife. And part of that is our economy that comes from our farming and ranching. And that folks will really, really delve into what this [proposal] does and how this is going to affect us not just in the abstract. So if you’re not a hunter or you’re not a rancher or a farmer, don’t think that this is not going to affect you in your day to day life. Watch additional coverage below: