MEDIA RELEASE

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii, will conduct animal control activities, specifically aerial shooting from helicopters, within Palila Critical habitat in the Mauna kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area on the island of Hawaii for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids.

Control schedules are as follows: August 4 and 5, 2009.

Public access to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, the Kaohe Game Management Area, and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted, and allowed BY PERMIT ONLY, pursuant to HAR § 13-130-19 and § 13-104-23(a)(3), from 7:00 a.m. August 4, 2009 until 7:00 p.m. August 5, 2009. The Mauna Kea Observatory Road will remain open.

Aerial shooting is required for compliance with Federal Court Order mandating the removal of sheep and goats from palila critical habitat. The temporary closure is needed to minimize the dangers of incompatible uses in the forest area and safely allow completion of the animal control activities. To implement the closure, gates at the Kilohana Hunter Checking Station and Hale Pohaku entrance to Unit A will be locked at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009.

Copies of the map illustrating the area subject to aerial shooting on these dates are available for inspection at Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices.

Carcasses taken during the shoot will be available to the public for salvage at the following locations (4-wheel drive vehicle required and access permits will be issued).

1) On August 4, 2009, at Ahumoa. Public must meet at the Kilohana Checking Station at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
2) On August 4, 2009, at Puu Koohi. Public must meet at the Mauna kea State Park at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
3) On August 5, 2009, at Kaluamakani. Public must meet at the Hawaiian Homes Hall in Waimea at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Due to private property access there will be a limit of 10 vehicles.

Contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 974-4221 or in Kamuela at (808) 887-6063 for additional details regarding meat salvage or access permits.

DLNR Legal Notice

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARCHERY HUNTING IN THE PUUANAHULU GAME MANAGEMENT AREA FOR MARCH 1, 2009

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces opening of archery hunting in PUUANAHULU GAME MANAGEMENT AREA (GMA) beginning Sunday, March 1 and continuing on weekends and State Holidays through June 28, 2009. Annual closure of the archery season in this GMA will be from July through February.

Season length, bag limits, and hunting areas are those established in Title 13, Chapter 123, “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting.” The recent appellate court ruling (Tanaka v. State, Dec. 31, 2007) removed the Department’s ability to make any seasonal adjustments. The following conditions and restrictions will apply for the hunt:

• The daily bag limit will be one pig of either sex, one male goat (billy), and one male sheep (ram) per hunter per day.
• Hunters will need to obtain 2009 billy and ram tags to legally hunt in this area. Tags may be obtained from any Hawaii Island Division of Forestry & Wildlife office and K-Mart in Kona, and are free of charge.
• Hunters must be in possession of an unused 2009 ram or billy tag to continue hunting in the area. The harvest tags will not be transferable and must be placed through the hind leg of the animal immediately after each kill.
• Report game law violations to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at (808) 974-6208 in Hilo. After hours and on weekends and holidays, calls may be made toll-free to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), enforcement at 643-DLNR (643-3567).

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Offices in Hilo at (808) 974-4232 or in Kamuela at (808) 887-6063.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF BIG ISLAND 2009 SPRING BEARDED TURKEY SEASON

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2009 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Sunday, March 1. The spring season will run 31 consecutive days through Tuesday, March 31. The spring season will be for bearded turkeys only in locations identified below. The season length, bag limits, and hunting areas are those established in Title 13, Chapter 122, “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials and Commercial Shooting Preserves.” The recent appellate court ruling (Tanaka v. State, December 31, 2007) removed the Department’s ability to make any seasonal adjustments. The following conditions and restrictions will be in effect:

Bag Limits and Tags

The daily bag limit shall be two bearded turkeys per hunter with a season bag limit of two. All hunters are required to have a current unused turkey tag in their possession while hunting. Tags are currently free of charge. Turkey tags are nontransferable and must be fastened with snaps and secured tightly around the neck of any bird taken immediately after the kill.

Tags may be obtained from any Hawaii Island Division of Forestry & Wildlife office and K-Mart in Kona. Hunters must present current State of Hawaii Hunting License when obtaining tags. Turkey tags are also required on private land.

Information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry & Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers: Hilo: 974-4221; Waimea: 887-6063 or the main office: 587-0166.