DLNR Announces The Opening Of The 2006-2007 Game Bird Hunting Season
Source: Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources
Published: Oct. 26, 2006
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces the opening of the 2006-2007 game bird hunting season on Saturday, November 4, 2006. ?Game bird populations go up and down in Hawaii, but residents and non-residents alike appreciate the diversity of game bird species and opportunities that are afforded,? said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. ?Department biologists are predicting an average to good season of bird hunting as spring rainfall was high to extremely high this year, but with dry conditions now widespread,? he said. The fall game bird hunting season will run through Sunday, January 21, 2007, with legal hunting days on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays with exceptions as noted below. Reminder: a game bird stamp is required in addition to a hunting license for all game bird hunting on public and private lands. Spring turkey hunting seasons will be announced in mid-February 2007, for portions of the Big Island. Little has changed from last year on the island of Kauai. The Waimea Heights special game bird hunting area will again be open, but this year on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and all state holidays, not just Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year?s. Hunting on private lands is the same; Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays at the landowner?s discretion. For Oahu, hunting of Black and Gray Francolins has been re-opened this year, in Kuaokala GMA (Unit 1) and Mokuleia PHA (Unit 2). Turkey hunting is still prohibited, but cooperative efforts by the National Wild Turkey Federation, other hunting groups, and the Department continue, to attempt to reach huntable population levels. In Maui County, most everything is the same as last year, but the special January hunting opportunity in Kahakuloa GMA (Unit F) on the island of Maui will be up 60%, from five days last year to 8 days this year, again for all game bird species. For the island of Hawaii, rainfall, game bird abundance data, and fire conditions in public hunting areas throughout the year lead department biologists to predict fair results for this year?s game bird season. In addition to weekends and state holidays, Kaohe and Mauna Kea Game Management Areas, Pohakuloa Training Area, and privately owned lands on the island of Hawaii will be open to hunters on Wednesdays and Thursdays this season. Analysis of annual rainfall data and game bird surveys conducted in September and October 2006 show some possible declines in game bird numbers, and a likely decrease in overall abundance of game bird populations on and around Mauna Kea, particularly California Valley Quail. However, hunter participation and harvest data from previous years suggest that game bird numbers are unlikely to be affected by the number of days hunters are in the field. A number of areas will be closed to all public access, including hunting until further notice, due to necessary follow-up on recent fires, and continuing hazardous fire conditions. For more information see the game bird legal notice in the newspaper, or go to http://dofaw.net under ?Hunting Legal Notices,? 06-18, or check with your local district DOFAW office. FOR ALL AREAS STATEWIDE: All game bird hunters should be familiar with Title 13, Chapter 122 ?Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting? as well as any changes to those rules outlined by legal notice, prior to hunting during the 2006-2007 game bird season. Hunters will be required to check in and out at established hunter checking stations. First obtain permission from landowners when seeking to hunt on private land. In addition to a valid Hawaii Hunting License, a game bird stamp is also required for all game bird hunting on public and private lands. Please help prevent brush fires. DO NOT PARK OR DRIVE IN TALL GRASS! Smoking in the field is extremely discouraged. Report smoke or suspected fires immediately, even if you think somebody probably already has. Support wildlife conservation. Report game law violators to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement by calling the new DOCARE number from any island: 643-DLNR (643-3567). Further information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry and 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. For further information about closures, contact the Hawaii District Office of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at (808) 974-4221. • More Hawaii News • More State Wildlife News • Hawaii Forum Board
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