PTA to open areas for bow hunting

Army officials are opening several conservation areas for bow hunting today and Sunday to support ongoing protection efforts for threatened and endangered species.

Training Areas 17, 19 and 20 will be open for bow hunting of mammals, only, from 5 a.m.-7 p.m. These fenced areas are home to various protected plants and animals, and animal control is important to ensuring their survival.

All hunters must check in and check out at either the Kilohana Hunter’s Check-in Station, located on Saddle Road between mile-markers 43 and 44, or the Huluhulu Hunter’s Check-in Station, located at the intersection of Mauna Kea Access Road and Saddle Road near mile-marker 28. Check out time is no later than 7:30 p.m. each day.

Hunting passes will be provided at the check-in stations. These passes must be signed and placed on the vehicle’s dashboard. Hunters who do not have a signed hunting pass on their dashboard will be barred from hunting for 30 days.

Hunters must enter and exit the hunting areas through Keekee Road gate. No early access to hunting areas is permitted, and shooting sheep with blue collars is not permitted. Hunters are limited to four goats and four sheep, per day.

Firearms, alcoholic beverages, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and/or recreational vehicles are not allowed in the training and hunting areas.

For more information, call the PTA Hunter’s Hotline at (808) 969-3474, visit www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta and click on the “Hunting” tab, or refer to instructions on the hunting pass.