HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-23 Hawaii Island Game Bird Hunting Summary
2022/23 Hawaii Island Game Bird Hunting Summary
By Richard Hoeflinger
The three month-long 2022/23 Hawaii Island Game Bird Hunting Season commenced
November 5, 2022, and closed January 29, 2023. Hawaii uniquely permits game bird hunting
only on weekends and state holidays except for the public hunting areas of Mauna Kea, where
bird hunting is also permitted on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The season thus consisted of
either 28 or 51 available days for hunting, dependent on chosen location.
Island wide, hunters reported an overall total of 2,352 game birds taken in 3,185 hunting trips
made, for a seasonal average hunter success rate of 0.74 birds bagged per trip. Results from
three specific public hunting areas were examined in detail: Mauna Kea to the north, Kapapala
Ranch on the southeast, and Puu Waa Waa to the southwest. Reports were as follows:
MAUNA KEA:
Total No. Hunting Trips Made 2,362
Total No. Birds Taken 1,831
No. Birds Taken/Hunter Trip 0.78
Harvested Species Distribution
Erckel’s Francolin 68 %
Chukar Partridge 8 %
California Quail 6 %
Ring-necked Pheasant 6 %
Kalij Pheasant 4 %
Black Francolin 4 %
Wild Turkey 4 %
KAPAPALA RANCH:
Total No. Hunting Trips Made 291
Total No. Birds Taken 218
No. Birds Taken/Hunter Trip 0.75
Harvested Species Distribution
Erckel’s Francolin 49%
Kalij Pheasant 42%
Chukar Partridge 5%
Wild Turkey 4%
1
PUU WAA WAA:
Total No. Hunting Trips Made 305
Total No. Birds Taken 143
No. Birds Taken/Hunter Trip 0.47
Harvested Species Distribution
Black Francolin 47 %
Erckel’s Francolin 34 %
Gray Francolin 13 %
Mourning Dove 3 %
Other 3 %
Most recent game bird harvest success was compared with that of prior seasonal results as
tabulated below:
FY 2015-2023 GAME BIRD HARVEST SUCCESS SUMMARY
Birds Taken Per Hunter Trip Made, All Species Combined
FY Mauna Kea Kapapala Ranch Puu Waa Waa
2015 1.32 0.92 1.38
2016 1.01 1.13 1.68
2017 0.86 0.87 2.01
2018 0.93 0.64 1.57
2019 1.19 0.51 1.32
2020 1.05 0.75 1.27
2021 0.83 0.62 0.82
2022 0.76 0.60 0.60
2023 0.78 0.75 0.47
2
0 Average Number Birds Taken / Hunter Trip Composite Island Game Bird Harvest Summary 20232022202120202019201820172016201510Puu Waa WaaKapapalaMauna Kea Birds Taken Per Hunting Trip,
All Species Combined Hunter Harvest Success 20232022202120202019201820172016201521
Long term harvest trends are more readily apparent when data are presented in a graphical
format. While Kapapala Ranch bird hunters may have experienced a small recent harvest
uptick, overall Hawaii Island hunter success continues to diminish. One assumes it is related to
species population declines, suggesting remedial action be taken if Hawaii game bird hunting is
to remain a viable outdoor pursuit. Development of a comprehensive game management plan
would appear to be an essential first step.
3