Hunters on Hawaiʻi Island can expect a few changes when they head to the Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Forest Reserve and Puʻu Anahulu Game Management Area starting this weekend, as the Department of Land and Natural Resources introduces new adaptive management measures. The temporary rule change, taking effect on Saturday, September 27, aligns with the muzzleloader and shotgun hunting season kick-off, particularly in the makai (ocean-side) portions of Units F and E, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The Board of Land and Natural Resources authorized these alterations back in March, setting a daily bag limit of three goats per hunter sans the need for previously required tags, good news for locals eager for the open hunting days now expanded to include Fridays through Mondays. While vehicular access updates to these popular hunting spots will be anything but predictable—subject to weekly whims based on management decisions, which could mean a bit more legwork for hunters to get to their desired hunting grounds, according to the Office of the Governor.
Additional specifics about the updated seasons and bag limits have been neatly packaged in the Adaptive Rules Management summary, all accessible on the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife website for those itching to review the details before gearing up, as per the Office of the Governor.
Questions and clarifications about the new regulations are being directed towards Division of Forestry and Wildlife's Hilo office, where staff can be reached at 808-974-4221 for further assistance, whether you're a seasoned hunter familiar with the lay of the land or a newcomer trying to navigate these changes while also attempting to bag the elusive goats of Hawaiʻi's upland forests, it's clear that these new measures are shaking things up for the hunting community.
