An alliance of sportsmen is leading the charge to make hunting and fishing a constitutional right in Oregon.

The Oregon Outdoor Council announced Thursday it will draft a ballot measure for the 2016 election that would guarantee the rights of all Oregonians to hunt, fish and trap under the state constitution.

Eighteen states have already amended their constitutions to protect hunting and fishing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Dominic Aiello, president of the outdoor council, said they would like to see Oregon become the 19th.

“This has been a goal of ours since our inception in 2011,” Aiello said. “It would protect the lifestyle permanently.”

In past years, the council — which represents about 700,000 Oregon sportsmen — has worked with lawmakers in the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to push a “right to hunt” bill through the legislature. Both Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, and Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, are members of the caucus.