Maui forest reserves reopen to game bird hunting Nov. 7

Game bird hunting will resume Nov. 7 at the Kula Forest Reserve, the Kaonoulu Ranch Cooperative Game Management Area and the Papaʻanui Tract of the Kahikinui Forest Reserve, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Wednesday.

Access will be limited to hunters on Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays, according to the department’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Maui Nui Branch. The locations are on the leeward slopes of Haleakalā.

Hunters must call the permit line at 808-359-0604 on Mondays between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to reserve a hunting day for the upcoming weekend. When a Monday falls on a state holiday, the division will take reservations the next workday.

Division staff will begin taking reservations Monday, Nov. 2, and will continue throughout the designated season, the department said.

Details on game bird seasons and species are available on the division’s hunting information page.

The division said it continues to evaluate public safety, restoration and natural resource management priorities as it considers future hiking and game mammal hunting access in these and other forest reserves. The announcement gave no timetable for that access.

Hunters with questions can contact the Maui Nui Branch at 808-984-8100.