Let us hunt
Did you know sheep eradication is still going on? Sheep eradication has been going on for over 41 years, and as recently as Aug. 8-20 and again on Sept. 9-10. Sheep eradication is a waste of taxpayers’ dollars!
The recent eradication effort was ordered by the same federal judge, Samuel King, who in 1979 ordered the removal of feral sheep and goats from Maunakea. Then, in 1998, he required the Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove all mouflon sheep, using aerial eradication. The removal orders were based on numerous unfounded grant studies and false reports regarding the palila bird and the deforestation from sheep.
Yes, the mamane has grown back due to plantings in remote areas. But, we live in a environmentally changing world, where lack of moisture and long rainy seasons are no longer with us. I remember back in the ’70s looking at Maunakea where you could see the mamane flowers from Hilo from all the trees blooming at the same time. But sadly, not today.
Back in 1978, I was appointed by Gov. George Ariyoshi to serve two four-year terms on the Aquatic Life and Wildlife Advisory Committee, and spoke on the poor state management. During my term, we proposed a three-bag limit of deboned sheep and goat to make it easier for the older hunters to carry out their game.
At the time, that proposal was shot down. Why? We were told, “We just can’t change the law.” When asked, how about making a special amendment? We were told, “No, we can’t do that either.” We also asked if we could fence off the critical habitat areas (which includes the present palila nesting areas). The response to that idea was, “Oh, no … that is going to cost the state millions.”
So I ask you, the taxpayer, what did they spend in the last 41 years of aerial shooting? We have videos from the helicopters hovering over the mamane trees, with the pallia birds’ nest flying out of the trees. Ask yourself this: What is wrong with this picture?
Now they fly in and capture a live sheep, install a collar around its neck, and let the sheep mingle with others — then come back and shoot the entire flock. Sounds like Judas to me!
Things have changed, given the current pandemic situation where food on our tables is scarce because we don’t have the incomes we had six months ago. Consideration should be given to the hunters who hunt to feed their families and our communities. Let’s not spend our precious tax payer dollars on sheep eradication; let’s instead allow hunters to do that job for free.
Consider this: The grasses are so high in Kahoe, bird hunters cannot get into their favorite areas anymore. Also, consider the dangers that comes with tall grass — one lightening strike and that tall grass will be fuel for a large fire.
To mitigate these risks, reduce taxpayers’ spending, and to provide more opportunities for food on our family tables, all the state needs to do is leave a manageable herd of sheep to be harvested by a hunter, like myself and others who would like to hunt to provide food for their table.
This proposal is called proper game management.
Bruce Heidenfeldt
Hilo
