2015-07-20 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —July 20, 2015 PTA is averaging about 80 to 90 hunters on a two-day weekend. 200+ in the last three weeks. They are seeing is an increase in hunter activity to include a number of mammals being taken. For the last 3 weeks, the ratio has been a high 4 or 5 (five hunters taking out one animal). There may be some under reporting for whatever reason, but they have ideas to address that which will later help with game management. Rotating out different units, in the past it was if we're not using it, let's open it up. Well, if we were opening up all the units, what was happening was there are areas that are getting hit hard. And then some other areas were underutilized, but they could have become sanctuaries. One of the things they are doing is talking with the hunters and inquiring what they've seen out there. BM works 13- hour days and spends at least 10-hours in the field and is proactive. Not always on the enforcement side of it. The Colonel set up this program and he wants it to balance, enforce but also have a community component to it. The community input goes into the program. First time that Pohakuloa has ever had a Game Warden who is dedicated to monitoring, managing, doing assessments, passing it on to a Game Manager. Several incidents are happening on the perimeters, poaching — cutting of fences — folks not following the rules. With the help of the community these incidents have decreased. It could be due to the cameras out there that people are now aware of and having someone out on the road. However, the largest part comes from hunter reporting - substantial drop of incidents since November. There are a couple of investigations going on right now and these revolve more around opening of 5 & 6. The hunter's hotline was changed — deleted, "If there's some illegal activity out there we will shut down for 30-days and no one will be able to hunt". This would also disrupt the reporting aspect. What BM needs from the community is a hunting club to take ownership. He is working with JP and the Colonel on range control and reporting on what the hunters are saying. Every opportunity is looked at. Goal is to provide as many hunt able acreage as possible. Did away with the training areas 1 thru 16 and the unfenced portion of 18 for the State lease lands — made them into hunting units pushing it way back to the fencing area and the opening of 5 & 6 which added another 2500 acres 8