Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

CARTY CHANG INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release February 17, 2015    

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF  HAWAII ISLAND
2015 SPRING BEARDED TURKEY SEASON
 

HILO —  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawaii Island Branch announces the opening of the 2015 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Sunday, March 1, 2015.  The spring season will run 31 consecutive days through Tuesday, March 31, 2015.  The spring season will be for bearded turkeys only in locations identified below.  The season length, bag limits, and hunting areas are those established in Title 13, Chapter 122, “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials and Commercial Shooting Preserves.”  The appellate court ruling (Tanaka v. State, December 31, 2007) removed the Department’s ability to make any seasonal adjustments.  The following conditions and restrictions will be in effect: 

Bag Limits and Tags 
The daily bag limit shall be two bearded turkeys per hunter with a season bag limit of two.  All hunters are required to have a current unused turkey tag in their possession while hunting.  Tags are currently free of charge.  Turkey tags are nontransferable and must be fastened with snaps and secured tightly around the neck or tarsus of any bird taken immediately after the kill.  Tags may be obtained from any Hawaii Island Division of Forestry and Wildlife office and a number of commercial vendors.  Hunters must present current State of Hawaii Hunting License when obtaining tags.  Turkey tags are also required on private land.

Information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers:  Hilo: (808) 974-4221; Kamuela: (808) 887-6063 or the main office in Honolulu at (808) 587-0166. 

Open Turkey Hunting Areas	Special Conditions	Season Dates	Hunting Hours
Unit A – Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and GMA	Mammal hunting will also be open above treeline for rifle, muzzleloader, handgun, and shotgun.	March 1- March 31, 2015  (31 consecutive days)	One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Unit G – Kaohe GMA	Also open daily to mammal hunting for archery.
Unit E and F – Open subject to military training	Portions of the Pohakuloa Training Area will be open, subject to military training. Check for areas and dates with the Range Control Hotline at 969-3474.
Private Lands	Hunters required to have valid hunting license, current turkey tags and landowner permission
Kipuka Ainahou	Kipuka Ainahou will only be open to archery only hunting for turkeys daily.  Game mammal archery hunting will also be open on weekends and State holidays.

 

Media Contact: 
Deborah Ward 
DLNR Public information specialist 
Phone: (808) 587-0320