Sen. Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls, today proposed a "right to hunt, fish and trap" amendment to the Idaho state Constitution, saying, "I'm surprised that this wasn't part of the Constitution when Idaho became a state over 100 years ago." The amendment, for which the next step would be a hearing in the Senate Resources Committee, would add to the Constitution: "Hunting, fishing and trapping are a valued part of the heritage of the state of Idaho and shall forever be preserved for the people. The exercise of this right by the people shall not be prohibited but shall be subjected to laws, rules and proclamations of the state. The rights set forth herein do not create a right to trespass on private property, shall not affect rights to divert, appropriate and use water, and shall not lead to a diminution of other private rights."

The approach raised some questions among members of the Resources Committee today. Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, "I certainly agree with the heart and the intent of what you're trying to do." But he said the middle sentence opens the door to allowing a future legislature to override the new constitutional provision, perhaps even by banning hunting or fishing. "I have concern with making the Constitution 'subject to' any state law provisions," he said. Committee Chairman Monty Pearce said he was glad the questions were being raised at this early stage. "If there need to be any changes made, I think we should back up before we get too far down this road," he said.

Heider, a first-term senator, read from the Vermont Constitution in support of his proposal, saying, "Their constitution was written in 1777, 235 years ago, and it's been upheld for all those years." The committee voted unanimously to introduce the measure. "We'll look forward to that hearing," Pearce said.