QUESTION: It was reported recently that a hunter was rescued after he fell several feet down an embankment of Konahuanui Stream in the Whitmore Village area of Wahiawa. He was hunting at night with two other men. Will the three be investigated for hunting at night?
ANSWER: The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement says it has opened an investigation “to verify the facts” of the incident.
Under Chapter 13-123-6 of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife rules, “Hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No person shall hunt from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except where specified differently.”
According to DLNR’s hunting coordinator, hunters occasionally find themselves in the field after dark for one reason or another, such as lost dogs, lost partners, bad estimates of time and distance, etc.: “This does not necessarily mean that any hunting was taking place.”
However, we’re told the facts still were to be determined.
DLNR does allow night shooting of “nuisance animals,” under animal control permits specifying highly controlled and restricted conditions. This is not considered hunting.
DLNR investigating incident involving hunter injured in fall – Hawaii News – Staradvertiser.com
