Joe Voth, of Barrington, throws a net as Casey McCall, Lawrence, and Dennis Marquis, of Leavenworth, both watch as they spend the afternoon fishing together, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, at Clinton Lake.

Topeka ? Kansas voters have signed off on amending the state constitution declaring that Kansas residents have the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife.

The measure will add a section to the state’s Bill of Rights to explicitly preserve hunting and fishing as a preferred way to manage wildlife. Any future measures seeking to limit hunting or fishing would need proof that a particular animal could become endangered.

Kansas now is among roughly 20 states in which hunting and fishing are a constitutional right.

Proponents say the measure is a pre-emptive safeguard against possible restrictions such as pushes to ban hunting and fishing outright or incrementally. Opponents counter that the measure might prevent citizens from stepping in to prevent unsportsmanlike practices.