Call to game bird hunters: DLNR releases fall season dates, areas

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The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the Nov. 4 opening of the 2017-18 game bird hunting season.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the Nov. 4 opening of the 2017-18 game bird hunting season.

The fall game bird hunting season will run through Jan. 28, 2018. A valid hunting license and a game bird stamp are 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 (visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw “Administrative Rules” for all legal hunting days).

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Game sites

The following is a list of game bird hunting locations:

MAUNA KEA GAME MANAGEMENT AREA AND FOREST RESERVE AND PUU MALI MITIGATION SITE (UNIT A) will be open for game bird hunting Wednesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday and state holidays for the entire game bird season. Mammal hunting will be closed in Unit G and A below Tree Line during the legal game bird season as stated in Ch. 123 “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting”.

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA will be open for game bird hunting, at the direction of the Department of Defense, subject to training schedule. Visit pta.isportsman.net for information on hunting days, open areas and access routes.

KAPAPALA RANCH COOPERATIVE GMA AND KAPAPALA FOREST RESERVE will be open for game bird hunting Saturday-Sunday and state holidays for the entire game bird season.

PUU WA‘AWA‘A FOREST RESERVE AND PU‘U ANAHULU, WEST SECTION (UNIT F): All sections of Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve will be open for game bird hunting Saturday-Sunday and state holidays for the entire game bird season. Vehicles must remain on designated roads to minimize the risk of fire. Maps will be made available at the Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Hunter Check Station and at the DOFAW offices in Hilo and Waimea. Leave all gates as they are found because of active cattle ranching in the area.

PU‘UANAHULU GMA, EAST SECTION will be open for game bird hunting Saturday-Sunday and state holidays for the entire game bird season.

KA‘OHE GAME MANAGEMENT AREA AND KA‘OHE MITIGATION SITE (UNIT G) will be open for game bird hunting Wednesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday and state holidays for the entire game bird season.

KIPUKA ‘AINAHOU (excluding DHHL-owned portion) will be open for game bird hunting 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 Waimea and at the Pu‘u Huluhulu Hunter Check Station. Hunters are to avoid nene geese that are in the area. Mammal hunting in this area is closed from Nov. 1 through February. For more information, call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 974-4221.

KAHUA/PONOHOLO RANCH SPECIAL PERMIT AREA will be open between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekends only Dec. 16 through Jan. 14.

All other public hunting areas not listed above are open to game bird hunting weekends and state holidays, Nov. 4 through Jan. 28, 2018, in accordance with Chapter 13-122.

PRIVATELY OWNED LANDS are open to game bird hunting weekends, state holidays and Wednesday-Thursday for Units A, G, PTA and private lands during the regular game bird season, Nov. 4 through Jan. 28, 2018, with landowner permission and in accordance with Chapter 13-122.

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Know the rules

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 by not parking or driving 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).

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Contacts

Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices:

Kauai, 274-3433

Oahu, 587-0166

Maui, 984-8100

Molokai, 553-1745

Lanai, 565-7916

Hilo, 974-4221

Waimea, 887-6063