Announcement of the Opening of Big Island 2016 Spring Bearded Turkey Season
Posted on Feb 26, 2016ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF
BIG ISLAND 2016 SPRING BEARDED TURKEY SEASON
The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2016 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. The spring season will run for 46 consecutive days through Friday, April 15, 2016. 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 treeline for rifle, muzzleloader, handgun, and shotgun. | March 1 – April 15, 2016 (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 |
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.