Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is pushing back against a Portland-backed ballot initiative in Oregon that would effectively outlaw licensed hunting and fishing, calling the effort “absolutely crazy” and warning activists not to bring similar ideas to Montana.

The Oregon Initiative

Oregon Initiative Petition 28, driven by animal rights activists based in Portland, has cleared a major hurdle: nearly 130,000 signatures have been submitted toward the 117,000 required to place the measure on the state ballot. If voters approve it, the initiative would eliminate hunting and fishing licenses, strip existing exemptions for hunters and anglers from animal cruelty statutes, and expose hunters, fishers, trappers, farmers, and ranchers to criminal liability.

Hunting and fishing generate roughly $1.9 billion in annual economic activity in Oregon, according to figures cited in connection with the campaign debate over IP28.

Gianforte Weighs In

The Montana governor made clear he views the Oregon effort as a direct threat to a way of life he sees as central to the West. “Did you hear what they are trying to do in Oregon? They are literally trying to outlaw hunting and fishing — that’s absolutely crazy,” Gianforte said.

Gianforte framed hunting and fishing as integral to Montana’s culture and economy, and he made no effort to soften his message for out-of-state activists. “To all those Oregonians who want to outlaw hunting and fishing, please stay out of Montana,” he said.

The governor has previously put anti-hunting activists on notice as the Oregon ballot fight gained momentum, signaling that Montana would not be a receptive audience for similar campaigns.

Broader Context

The controversy arrives as Western states increasingly face ballot initiatives driven by urban activist groups targeting rural industries, from hunting and trapping to ranching. Montana’s political leadership has been vocal about resisting what many in the state describe as outside interference in land-use and wildlife traditions that predate statehood.

For Gianforte, a hunter who has made outdoor recreation a recurring theme of his tenure, the Oregon fight offers a clear political contrast heading into the 2026 election cycle. Rural voters in Montana — and in neighboring states — tend to view hunting and fishing rights as non-negotiable, and any ballot effort resembling IP28 would face fierce resistance in Helena.

Whether Oregon’s measure survives legal review and ultimately appears before voters remains to be seen, but the signature threshold has already been surpassed, keeping the initiative on track for a potential statewide vote.