Posted on: Monday, March 22, 2004

Area to open for pig hunts

Advertiser Staff

The state will open sections of the Honolulu Mauka trail system and surrounding Honolulu Forest Reserve for a special pig hunting season after a recent increase in damage caused by feral pigs.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is issuing permits to hunt pigs with dogs in the area, which includes the Makiki-Tantalus area across to Manoa Valley for 15 months starting May 3.

Peter Young, DLNR chairman, said the area is normally off limits for hunting because of a high amount of public use.

Hiking will still be allowed on area trails, but hikers are advised to leave their pet dogs at home during hunting hours and not to interfere with hunting activities. Signs will be posted at all major trail heads in the area to alert the public.

Hunting for feral pigs will be allowed by permit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only from sunrise to sunset in a three-months-on, three-months-off format.

The first hunting period will be from May 3 through July 31; the second from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2005; and the third from May 2, 2005, through July 29, 2005.

Permit applications for the first hunting period must be received by April 12.

For details call 453-6110.