Understanding local pig hunter values and practices as a means toward co-management of feral pigs (Sus scrofa; pua'a) in the Hawaiian Islands

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Ecology and Society 28(2): 32 htt.ps//www.e �rl�rfy na.l �r f.l� s /ar[32/ Fig. 4. Recommendations to improve hunting and management of feral pigs mentioned by participants. Participants often gave multiple recommendations. The most common recommendation was "community engagement" (n = 14). Emotional control Increased capacity within hunting community Volunteer programs c Change of mindsets Accessibility a) E New rules and management techniques a Increase of hunting areas aD of Respect and finding common ground Education Community engagement on really hard or soft stuff. I marked down how much hair the pig had ... I always cut the stomach to look to see what it was eating ..." Over time, this record keeping and observation builds Indigenous and local knowledge within individual hunters and, if shared, within families and across hunting communities. Responsibilities and values of' hunting Interviewees indicated that a lot of responsibilities come with being a hunter. One of the main responsibilities that participants were taught or learned to value about hunting was respect (n = 16). Participants described respect as having multiple aspects, including respect for the land (n = 9), respect for each other (other user groups such as hikers; n = 7), respect for the animal (n = 7), and respect for property (i.e., not poaching, asking permission to hunt; n = 3). Respect for the land consisted of not cutting too much vegetation for trails, making little to no noise when possible, and being mindful of good intentions while hunting. Participants also stressed the need to respect the animal (feral pigs) they were hunting, whether it was appreciating the process it took to get the animal, not wasting animals that are caught, killing the animal in the most humane way possible, or staying alert if a pig rushed toward the hunter. Safety was especially important when hunting with dogs and targeting the boars (males), who have large sharp tusks that can cut through skin with ease and cause injuries to the dogs or the hunters. Taking care of hunting dogs was also an important responsibility of being a hunter (n = 13). Participants described taking care of the dogs as raising and training the dogs properly, feeding the dogs, giving the necessary medicine, sewing up cuts and wounds, and treating dogs with respect, because the dogs were one of the main ways hunters were able to catch pigs efficiently. When hunters lost their dogs in the mountain while pursuing pigs, some participants mentioned they would search as long as they could throughout the day until dark. If unable to find their dog that same day, "Put a shirt on the ground ... that's the smell of your clothes ... come back the next day, the dog stay [is] right around, on top [of] your shirt laying down." 7 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 [Number of Participants Safety was another responsibility of hunting mentioned among participants (n = 13). There were a lot of safety precautions to consider when hunting and most of them were taught in hunter education courses by DLNR required for hunters to obtain their hunting license. One participant stressed the importance of gun safety, "because once you pull that trigger, you cannot call that bullet back." Some specific gun safety practices included, "never be running around with a loaded weapon until you [are] ready" and, "point that muzzle in the right direction always." Participants noted that hunting incidents usually occurred because of a lack of attention to important safety measures. Other than gun safety, knowing the hunting area was important in terms of, "remember where you're coming in from, your main trail. That way, on your way back out, you come out the same way." Hunting was noted to be unpredictable, so some participants mentioned how important it was to always pack necessary gear such as water, snacks, waterproof clothing (e.g., jackets, boots), knives, and ropes in case they got lost in the mountain and had to stay overnight, or were hunting for an extended period of time. Less common responsibilities brought up by participants included taking care of each other [other hunters], sustainable harvesting practices, proper processing of the meat, promotion of hunting culture, and education. Current issues and concerns with hunting andlor management Participants felt that a lack of community engagement and education by the state resulted in problems with the current management of feral pigs for hunting (n = 12), more specifically that voices and concerns of hunters were not included in decision - making processes regarding certain management efforts related to feral pigs (Fig. 3). Some participants expressed that "they [DLNR] come after the fact or they come with an agenda, knowing that they're going do it anyway..." Participants felt that agencies consulted them for opinions instead of inviting them to actively participate in decision making. Participants were concerned that the state offered public meetings at times and locations inconvenient for hunters and their families to attend, such as during the day, when most hunters work, so the meetings ended up being a waste of time.