2017-08-22 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 22, 2017 S: That’s something – that’s a huge area – we can put out a certain number of signs but it also falls on us as hunters to know where we’re hunting and be – we hand out maps so that people can identify where they’re at. TS: The last one is the wildlife’s future and I think that really closes us off really good. The future of wildlife doesn’t just depend on management programs. It depends mostly on people. People whether they are hunters, gatherers or not – need to learn all they can about wildlife and they need to care about whether it’s managed properly and then here’s a list of things that you can do to for a brighter future: support programs to maintain and approve wildlife habitat – this includes knowing how important private lands are in providing critical habitat and recreational opportunities. Support your state wildlife agency in its efforts to manage wildlife and people. Also support conservation activities locally and nationally. Realize that hunting and trapping and gathering are important management tools used to benefit wildlife populations and their habitat. Don’t be afraid to tell your friends about these benefits. When people learn more about a role of hunting and gathering – most often they support these important roles. Observe the highest ethical standards while hunting, be willing to encourage other hunters to do the same will help too – and be willing to contribute money and your skills to help wildlife. If we all start today there will always be a wildlife for everyone to enjoy. Not to plagiarize but most of that is from Montana but I thought it as – I enjoyed reading that so... DY: All of these things that he talked about emanates from a policy. I think there was a joint resolution in the legislature – about two years ago? Unless the spirit of that resolution is put into practice then all of this stuff that he talks about is just words. So how do you get the resolution and the spirit and the intent of that resolution to be made policy for the state? That’s where it’s at right now, you know you have well trained, well intentioned staff – they gotta get the “follow me” to put it down on the ground and right now and for the past twenty, thirty years we haven’t had that. And this is not aimed at anyone, it’s just that our state laws do not speak to the management of wildlife. I think that the statewide game management advisory commission will do something about that. We have that resolution and we should do something with it. TL: I agree with you completely on the resolution – but I did have a question for Steve or Kanalu. Has the Department in the last year shared that resolution or the intent of that resolution with you? WC: Is it possible to add Steve on the agenda to discuss Kipuka Ainahou? A lot of people don’t understand what happened there first of all – or even know that anything even happened because it seems like it’s kind of a free-for-all right now. People are there hunting all the time all the way up and down... MH: We can put that on the next agenda. 8