Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program FY17_FY21

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$30,000 1 $180,000 1 $200,000 1 $200,000 1 $200,000 1 $940,000 Project 25 W-28-GS-01 Game Surveys and Inventories (Game Mammal): Hawaii County - East Hawaii District A. Need Public hunting pressure has increased in recent years as more hunters compete for the same resources in fewer hunting areas. The purpose of surveys is to document long term population trends to facilitate management through the regulation of bag limits. This is in order to enhance hunting opportunities, maintain sustained yield in appropriate areas, and reduce game mammal population levels in areas designated for protection. Another need is to monitor the impacts of feral game mammals on range quality and determine movements of feral pigs in and around sensitive native wildlife and plant habitats. This information is necessary to ensure that game mammal hunting is conducted to balance recreational opportunities with conservation and restoration of rare and endangered native species. Feral cattle control has recently been offered to hunters and met with tremendous interest. This is expected to continue. B. Objectives • Determine the distribution, population densities, reproductive success, status, and trends of game mammals on the island of Hawaii. • Monitor habitat condition and assess game mammal carrying capacity in PHA's • Determine game mammal hunter pressure and success, and the effects of hunting on game distribution and numbers. • Survey new areas for additions to game management areas and expand cattle control efforts. • Monitor diseases and parasitism in game mammals C. Expected Results and Benefits The data collected at hunter check -in stations, and surveys of game mammal populations will be combined with information from previous years to provide a basis for management, development, maintenance actions, and proposals for research involving game mammals and their habitat. The information produced will be used to assess and adjust hunting regulations such as seasons, bag limits, days, and means of take. Application of the recommendations will maximize wildlife recreation opportunities while insuring compatibility with forest and wildlife management objectives. D. Approach Quantitative information on game mammal populations, distribution, reproductive success and impact on habitat as well as hunter effort and success will be gathered annually. Game mammal survey will be conducted. These surveys include methods for particular species which have been developed to monitor populations or indices of abundance. Surveys include aerial censuses using fixed winged aircraft or helicopter, strip or total area counts on the ground, density indices based upon the occurrence of spoor correlated to habitat type. Diseases and parasites of game mammals and game birds will be monitored as necessary in coordination with the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture. 41