Hunters it's time to act to protect hunting lands, sustaining game animal populations, and defending your hunting rights.  There are many hunting related bills in the legislature and a listing can be found at https://www.hifico.org/huntingbills.

Please take a few minutes to submit testimony on the hunting bills and related firearms bills (www.hifico.org/bills)

Right now there are 4 hunting bills in committee on Wednesday February 6th.

HB590   DLNR/GMAC coordination for wildlife revolving fund expendatures
HB591   DLNR/GMAC coordination for watersheds
HB1325  DLNR/GMAC coordination for watersheds, suspends aerial erad
SB324   DLNR employ coorperative resource management with users

The Game Management Advisory Commission (GMAC - https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/gmac/) are a group of volunteers that represent hunters interest before the DLNR.  They fight for your hunting rights but need these bills to pass which will give them more power when dealing with the DLNR on hunting issues, such as aerial eradication of game animals.

Have your family, friends, and coworkers submit testimony too.

Testimony needed for HB1325 HD1 RE: DLNR/GMAC and watershed management.  This amended draft was watered down from DLNR must coordinate with GMAC on watershed projects, to DLNR must notify GMAC. This bill should be amended again to give GMAC more authority to make decisions on hunting related matters.   Hearing is on 2-13-19 2pm in conference room 325.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1325&year=2019

HB1325 HD2 requires community testimony and is up for hearing in the Senate Water and Land (WTL) committee on Wednesday March 13th. This is the watered down version of the original bill and requires DLNR to "provide notice of" changes in watershed projects and will suspend aerial eradication in 2024 if the DLNR doesn't have a watershed plan with recommendations from GMAC. The original bill was much stronger by requiring "approval" by the GMAC and immediately halted aerial eradication until new rules we're made with GMAC recommendations.

Please provide testimony at the capitol website through the link below. You can request changes be made to the bill and look through prior testimony on HD2 for help.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1325&year=2019

Thanks Zippz for posting how to submit testimony

Unfortunately all of the GNAC pro-hunting bills died this session.  It was a good effort and we'll do even better next year.  Pig Hunters of Hawaii is back on the Big Island and will be a valuable ally.