Hunting and fishing forever

South Carolina is an outdoorsman's paradise and one of the nation's most gun-friendly states, but you wouldn't guess it by listening to the Legislature. Lawmakers are seeking a constitutional amendment to establish South Carolinians' right to hunt and fish.

The House already has approved the measure. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, voters would make the decision in the next general election.

A constitutional amendment might make sense if there were an imminent hazard to hunting and fishing. But even the bill's sponsors don't know about any threats. They just want to make really, really sure that we can hunt and fish.

Any attempt to so deprive South Carolinians would go against a tradition dating back centuries. Plus, the state prospers from related industries and tourism.

The constitution determines the structure of government and defines its powers and duties. It shouldn't be amended casually. While the people of South Carolina understandably hold dear their right to hunt and fish, a constitutional amendment on the subject seems superfluous.

The Legislature should have better things to do. After all, the spottail bass are biting.