Division of Forestry and Wildlife

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF THE HAWAII ISLAND 2014 SPRING BEARDED TURKEY SEASON

 The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2014 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  The spring season will run 31 consecutive days through Monday, March 31, 2014.  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:

Open Turkey Hunting Areas:

Unit A – Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and GMA; Special Conditions: Mammal hunting will also be open above treeline for rifle, muzzleloader, handgun, and shotgun.

Unit G – Kaohe GMA; Special Conditions – Also open daily to mammal hunting for archery.

Unit E and F – Open subject to military training; Special Conditions – 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; Special Conditions – Hunters required to have valid hunting license, current turkey tags and landowner permission

Kipuka Ainahou ;  Special Conditions – 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.

Season Dates: March 1- March 31, 2014 (31 consecutive days)

Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

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 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 when obtaining tags.  Turkey tags are also required 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.