Hunter Education Program

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release October 25, 2013

DLNR ANNOUNCES NOV 2 START TO 2013-2014
GAME BIRD HUNTING SEASON ON HAWAII ISLAND

HILO, HAWAII — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2013-2014 Game Bird Hunting Season on the Big Island, on Saturday, November 2, 2013.

The fall game bird hunting season will run through Monday, January 20, 2014, with legal hunting days on Saturday, Sunday, and State Holidays.

DLNR wildlife biologists are predicting an “average” season of bird hunting, with the easing of drought conditions in many parts of the state. A December 31, 2007 appellate court ruling determined that no game bird stamp sales are allowed for hunting. A valid hunting license only is required for all game bird hunting on public and private lands. All game bird hunting is regulated by Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 13, Chapter 122 (see https://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw “Administrative Rules”).

Here is the pertinent information for the island of Hawaii:

MAUNA KEA FOREST RESERVE AND Game Management Area (GMA) will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season.

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA will be open for game bird hunting, at the direction of the Department of Defense, subject to training schedule. Hunters are to call the hunter’s hotline at 969-3474 for information on hunting days, open areas and access routes.

KAPAPALA RANCH COOPERATIVE GMA (CGMA) AND KAPAPALA FOREST RESERVE will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season.

PUU WAAWAA CGMA (now FOREST RESERVE) – All sections of Puu Waawaa CGMA, will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season

PUUANAHULU GMA will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season.

KAOHE GMA and STATE LEASED AREA (now MITIGATION SITE) will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season.

KIPUKA AINAHOU will be open for game bird hunting on weekends and State Holidays throughout the game bird hunting season. A special permit is required, and is available from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices in Hilo and Kamuela and at the Puu Huluhulu Hunter Check Station. Hunters are to avoid nene geese that are in the area. Mammal hunting in this area is closed from November 1 through February.

CLOSED: KAHUA/PONOHOLO RANCH SPECIAL PERMIT AREA will be closed due to continuing drought conditions with private landowners concerns with the potential for wildland fires.

OPEN: All other public hunting areas not listed above are open to game bird hunting on weekends and State holidays, November 2, 2013 through January 20, 2014 in accordance with Chapter 13-122.

PRIVATELY OWNED LANDS are open to game bird hunting on weekends and State holidays November 2, 2013 through January 20, 2014, with landowner permission and in accordance with Chapter 13-122.

FOR ALL AREAS STATEWIDE:

All game bird hunters should be familiar with Title 13, Chapter 122 “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting.”

Hunters will be required to check in and out at established hunter check stations. First obtain permission from landowners when seeking to hunt on private land. Prevent wildfires. DO NOT PARK OR DRIVE IN TALL GRASS OR BRUSH! Report fires to 911.

Support wildlife conservation: Report game law violators to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement by calling 643-DLNR (-3567). Further information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry & Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers: Kauai: 274-3433; Oahu: 587-0166; Maui: 984-8100; Molokai: 553-1745; Lanai: 565-7916; Hilo: 974-4221; Kamuela: 887-6063.

# # #

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