MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces the opening of the 2010-2011 game bird hunting season on Saturday, November 6, 2010.

Department biologists are predicting a below average season of bird hunting with ongoing dry conditions in many parts of the state and extreme drought conditions in parts of the Big Island.

The fall game bird hunting season will run through Monday, January 17, 2011, with legal hunting days on Saturday, Sunday, and State Holidays.

Due to a December 31, 2007 appellate court ruling, game bird stamps and fees are waived, and only a hunting license is required for all game bird hunting on public and private lands.

Specific details on open areas, bag limits, and conditions are provided in HAR 13-122, “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting.”

Additional information is available on the Division of Forestry and Wildlife website, http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw under “Announcements” and through the district offices listed below.

Island of Kaua‘i:
Units A, B, E, H, and I are open for game bird hunting, with Unit F open for game bird hunting with archery equipment only. The Waimea Heights Special Game Bird Hunting Area is also being opened to the public for the season by the private landowner. Other private lands on the island of Kaua‘i are open to game bird hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays, with landowner permission.

Island of O‘ahu
Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be open for the duration of the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays. If accessing Units 1 or 2 from Farrington Highway, hunters must check in and out of the Ka‘ena Point Satellite Tracking Station Access Road. Private lands are open to game bird hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays, with landowner permission.

Islands of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i
Maui: Units C, F, and N will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays. Units C and F will be closed to game mammal hunting on open game bird hunting days. Moloka‘i: the Moloka‘i Forest Reserve (Units C, D, and E) will be open for the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays, and closed for mammal hunting on open game bird hunting days. Lana‘i: the Cooperative Game Management Areas (Units 1, 2, and 3) will be open for the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays. For instructions on access and parking, see the DOFAW website under “Announcements,” or contact a district office.

Island of Hawai‘i
There are a number of closures due to dry conditions and high fire risk. The closure of Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area has been extended to December 31, 2010 or a decrease in fire risk. Also closed until further notice or a decrease in fire risk: all portions of Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve; Kahua/Ponoholo Special Permit Area; Kapala Ranch Cooperative GMA; Kapapala Forest Reserve; Pu‘uanahulu GMA; Kaohe Lease Cooperative GMA. Pohakuloa Training Area is closed until further notice. All other public hunting areas for game birds will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays. Private lands on Hawai‘i island will be open to game bird hunting only on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays, with landowner permission.

Further information may be obtained at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife website http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw under “Announcements,” or by contacting Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers: Kaua‘i: 274-3433; O‘ahu: 587-0166; Maui: 984-8100; Moloka‘i: 553-1745; Lana‘i: 565-7916; Hilo: 974-4221; Kamuela: 887-6063.