The Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct animal control activities later this month to protect habitat for island birds. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife will be trapping and hunting mouflon and feral sheep hybrids and will be conducting aerial shooting from helicopters for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within palila critical habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K), and the Kaohe Game Management Area (Unit G).
Aerial shooting is required for compliance with the federal court order mandating the removal of sheep and goats from critical habitat for palila, a bird endemic to Hawaii, according to DLNR.
Control schedules are June 24 and 25, July 28 and 29, and August 26 and 27.
Public access to Mauna Kea Forest Reserve from Waikahalulu gulch, north to Kemole, and east to Puu Kole, Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, the Kaohe Game Management Area and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted and allowed by permit only for animal salvage purposes on the following dates: 7 a.m. June 24 and 25, July 28 and August 26 and 27.
The Mauna Kea Observatory Road will remain open. The temporary closure is needed to minimize the dangers of incompatible uses in the forest area and safely conduct animal control activities, DLNR officials said. To implement the closure, the Hale Pohaku and Kilohana gated entrances to Unit A and G and the gate behind Mauna Kea Recreation Area will be locked and reopened as follows:
Locked 8 p.m. June 23, and reopened 7 p.m. June 25
Locked 8 p.m. July 27, and reopened 7 p.m. July 29
Locked 8 p.m. August 25, and reopened 7 p.m. August 27
Copies of the map illustrating the area subject to aerial shooting on these dates are available for inspection at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office.
Due to high public participation, telephone call-ins to the DOFAW Waimea office at 887-6063 for receiving salvage permits will be conducted from 9 a.m. June 17 to 10 a.m. the day before each shoot day. One permit will be issued per call per vehicle for one day only. Applicants can have their names added to a standby list for additional days, should all slots not be filled by other applicants. No standbys waiting at the gates will be allowed access. The driver, occupants, vehicle license plate, and the make and model of vehicles are needed when calling in. A maximum of 15 permitted vehicles will be allowed at the Puu Koohi location.
Carcasses taken during the shoot will be available to the permitted public for salvage. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required, and access permits will be issued. There is no guarantee that animals will be able to be salvaged.
Salvage locations are subject to change:
On June 24 and 25, and July 28 and 29, and August 26 and 27, at Puu Koohi. Permittees must meet at Mauna Kea Recreation Area at 7 a.m. sharp.
Contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at 974-4221 or in Waimea at 887-6063 for additional details regarding meat salvage or access permits.