HILO, Hawai'i — State officials have delayed the start of a cattle hunt on state lands in the Hilo Watershed north of Saddle Road on the Big Island to give ranchers more time to round up the trespassing animals.

The hunt for loose and feral cattle in the watershed area will begin Nov. 11. Originally, the state had planned to allow hunting in the area to start Friday.

An estimated 200 to 400 cattle that are believed to be in the watershed area pose problems because they strip away native vegetation, making it easier for invasive species to become established.

Peter Young, chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said state wildlife officials have been working with neighboring ranchers to remove domestic cattle from the forest reserves and repair their fences to keep the cattle out.

The hunt will be held each Saturday, Sunday and state holiday in November, with a daily bag limit of two animals per hunter. Feral pigs also may be hunted in the area as usual.

The department warned hunters that access to the watershed area will be only from Saddle Road, and not from any adjacent ranch lands.

For more information, call DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 974-4221.