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Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026

Do about half the states, including Wisconsin, have a constitutional right to hunt and fish?

Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch
yes

Twenty-four states provide a constitutional right to hunt and fish, according to a November 2025 count by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Nearly all 24, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, did so with constitutional amendments approved by voters since 1996. 

Illinois, Iowa and Michigan do not have the constitutional protection.

Nationally, “well-organized animal rights groups and limitations on methods, seasons and bag limits for certain game species” spurred the amendments, according to NCSL.

Wisconsin’s 2003 amendment passed with 82% of the vote. 

It reads: “The people have the right to fish, hunt, trap and take game subject only to reasonable restrictions as prescribed by law.”

The measure was among a wave of Wisconsin constitutional amendments led by Republicans.

About 800,000 licenses are sold annually in Wisconsin for both deer hunting and fishing.

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