Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release February 17, 2017

DLNR ANNOUNCES OPENING OF 2017 BIG ISLAND SPRING BEARDED TURKEY SEASON

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2017 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. The spring season will run for 46 consecutive days through Saturday, April 15, 2017 (with the exception of Unit E – Kipuka Ainahou that will run for 31 days). 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.

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 tree line for rifle, muzzleloader, handgun, and shotgun.	March 1 – April 15, 2017        (46 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 F – Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve	N/A
Private Lands	Hunters required to have valid hunting license, current turkey tags and landowner permission.
Unit E – Kipuka Ainahou	Also open to mammal hunting on weekends and holidays only. Archery only.   * Hunting is not allowed in DHHL lands in this unit.	March 1 – March 31, 2017 (31 consecutive days)

Bag Limits and Tags

The daily bag limit will be three bearded turkeys per hunter with a season bag limit of three.  All hunters are required to have a current unused turkey tag in their possession while hunting.  Tags are currently $5/tag for residents and $20/tag for non-residents.  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 & Wildlife office and a number of commercial vendors.  Hunters must present current State of Hawaii Hunting License with a current Game Bird Stamp when obtaining tags.  Turkey tags are also required to hunt on private land.

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

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Media contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320