State game bird hunting season set to open next month
Biologists predict drought to result in below-average take
Game bird hunting season begins Nov. 5 and runs through Jan. 29 with state biologists predicting a below-average season due to lingering drought in many parts of the state, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said Wednesday.
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.
In Maui County, hunting areas are open Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays for the entire season. The areas include:
• Kula Forest Reserve and Cooperative Lease Area (Hunting Unit C). Game mammal hunting will be closed in Unit C on legal game bird hunting days.
• Kahakuloa game management area and West Maui Forest Reserve (Hunting Unit F). Game mammal hunting will be closed in Unit F during the game bird hunting season.
• Molokai Forest Reserve (Hunting Units C, D, E). For Units C, D and E, game mammal hunting will be closed during the game bird hunting season.
• Cooperative game management areas (Units 1, 2, 3), Lanai. Special conditions are that access to Unit 3 will be by the main perimeter roads, Guard Road and No. 57, and road and abandoned field plot roads are closed for safety reasons.
All other public and private hunting areas not listed are open to game bird hunting on weekends and state holidays during the season. Hunting on private land requires permission of the landowner.
Hunters are required to check in and out at established hunter check stations. Hunters should first obtain permission from landowners when seeking to hunt on private land and to prevent wildfires, which includes no parking or driving in tall grass or brush.
Report game law violators to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement by calling (808) 643-DLNR (3567). Further information may be obtained by calling Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices at 984-8100 on Maui, (808) 553-1745 on Molokai; and (808) 565-7916 on Lanai.