Just called BLNR office and was told yes, you do need a hunting license to shoot there. I didn't ask, but that obviously implies that if you are shooting there without a hunting license and enforcement officers show up you can be cited.

(I suspected as much since the 6 sentence press release by the state uses the words "hunting" or "hunter" 6 times.)

Is there any government permission slip required to shoot at the Oahu public range?

Just called BLNR office and was told yes, you do need a hunting license to shoot there. I didn't ask, but that obviously implies that if you are shooting there without a hunting license and enforcement officers show up you can be cited.

(I suspected as much since the 6 sentence press release by the state uses the words "hunting" or "hunter" 6 times.)

Is there any government permission slip required to shoot at the Oahu public range?

16MM is not a public range

Is there any government permission slip required to shoot at the Oahu public range?

Only requirement at Koko Head range is sign into the logbook.

I would expect the hunting permit is a permanent requirement for MM16 unless they change the zoning or ownership of the land.  And you wouldn't do that since it could jeopardize the future of that range.

Hunters ed isn't a big deal.  Its a good class to attend, I enjoyed it.  Only thing is you have to pay the annual permitting fee which isn't much. 

Thanks for answering my question zippz. 

Hunters ed isn't a big deal.  Its a good class to attend, I enjoyed it.  Only thing is you have to pay the annual permitting fee which isn't much.

Just did the new online academic stuff, now have to wait until 4/17 to do the final "in-person" session.

If I read the permit stuff correctly, it is no cost for resident geezers. 

Just called BLNR office and was told yes, you do need a hunting license to shoot there. I didn't ask, but that obviously implies that if you are shooting there without a hunting license and enforcement officers show up you can be cited.

(I suspected as much since the 6 sentence press release by the state uses the words "hunting" or "hunter" 6 times.)

Is there any government permission slip required to shoot at the Oahu public range?

As stated this is not, nor was it designed to be an open public shooting range.  It is open to segments of the public that are participating in legitimate hunting purposes ON designated hunting lands.  I don't know if you read the other post, but in the meeting, it was ABSOLUTELY clear that the shooting range was in support of the HUNTERS SAFETY PROGRAM.  Giving hunters the ability to practice their skill and to ensure the function of the weapon for the safety of the hunter and to help ensure the ethical harvest of game animals.  In the meeting, it was stated that a hunting license was necessary and that use of a caliber used for legitimate hunting purposes.  I don't care if someone disagrees with the caliber choice for hunting, that is another topic.

So if we look at this logically, what gives you the right to possess and fire a weapon on lands designated as hunting areas?  You need a hunting license and have an appropriate firearm/caliber for hunting.  They cannot just merely bypass this.  For the DLNR to justify, and reasonably so, the use of the 40 acres AND the 1 mile of land behind, it must fall under a specific purpose for the designated hunting land. 

People can piss and moan all they like, just like they do here all the time, but if someone cannot see the potential to lead to acceptance and other range possibilities, then too bad.  If nothing else we can be happy for the hunters who are trying to enjoy their activity.  It seems like too many people think about ME, ME, ME.  I don't generally hunt there, nor do I plan on shooting there either, but I am happy to lend support if it benefits others in the sporting firearms community.  Others should also.   

 

As stated this is not, nor was it designed to be an open public shooting range.  It is open to segments of the public that are participating in legitimate hunting purposes ON designated hunting lands.  I don't know if you read the other post, but in the meeting, it was ABSOLUTELY clear that the shooting range was in support of the HUNTERS SAFETY PROGRAM.  Giving hunters the ability to practice their skill and to ensure the function of the weapon for the safety of the hunter and to help ensure the ethical harvest of game animals.  In the meeting, it was stated that a hunting license was necessary and that use of a caliber used for legitimate hunting purposes.  I don't care if someone disagrees with the caliber choice for hunting, that is another topic.

So if we look at this logically, what gives you the right to possess and fire a weapon on lands designated as hunting areas?  You need a hunting license and have an appropriate firearm/caliber for hunting.  They cannot just merely bypass this.  For the DLNR to justify, and reasonably so, the use of the 40 acres AND the 1 mile of land behind, it must fall under a specific purpose for the designated hunting land. 

People can piss and moan all they like, just like they do here all the time, but if someone cannot see the potential to lead to acceptance and other range possibilities, then too bad.  If nothing else we can be happy for the hunters who are trying to enjoy their activity.  It seems like too many people think about ME, ME, ME.  I don't generally hunt there, nor do I plan on shooting there either, but I am happy to lend support if it benefits others in the sporting firearms community.  Others should also.

I'm trying to clarify what the actual rules are, as ambiguity or lack of clarity could result in someone being cited (for using unapproved caliber ammunition or firearms, as has happened in the past at that location).

Your claim that the caliber must be approved for hunting is directly contradictory to the approved submission from the BLNR (which I quoted earlier and included the link). Are you saying that that document is invalid? Is there an updated document? Please provide us with access to whatever your source is for that claim. People need to know what the rules are so they can follow the rules.

Someone here earlier said that he had confirmed with someone from DOCARE that .22LR was an acceptable round to fire there. He and his source are wrong?

16MM is not a public range

You'd better call DLNR and BLNR and alert them to the error in their document (linked to above) of February 23, 2018 that declares:

"DESIGNATE A PORTION... OF PUBLIC HUNTING AREA [16MM]... AS A PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGE..." [All caps in original. It is repeated again in upper and lower case TWICE in the "Summary", including in the "RECOMMENDATION".]

The document also refers to that specific area again, four times, as currently: "an unofficial public shooting range".

You'd better call DLNR and BLNR and alert them to the error in their document (linked to above) of February 23, 2018 that declares:

"DESIGNATE A PORTION... OF PUBLIC HUNTING AREA [16MM]... AS A PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGE..." [All caps in original. It is repeated again in upper and lower case TWICE in the "Summary", including in the "RECOMMENDATION".]

The document also refers to that specific area again, four times, as currently: "an unofficial public shooting range".

my apologies

Forgive the basic question, will the range have RSO or will it be shoot on your own?

I'm trying to clarify what the actual rules are, as ambiguity or lack of clarity could result in someone being cited (for using unapproved caliber ammunition or firearms, as has happened in the past at that location).

Your claim that the caliber must be approved for hunting is directly contradictory to the approved submission from the BLNR (which I quoted earlier and included the link). Are you saying that that document is invalid? Is there an updated document? Please provide us with access to whatever your source is for that claim. People need to know what the rules are so they can follow the rules.

Someone here earlier said that he had confirmed with someone from DOCARE that .22LR was an acceptable round to fire there. He and his source are wrong?

I made zero claims.  I am telling you what was actually said in the DLNR board meeting, 23rd Feb.  You must also understand that what was said during the hearing was not a finalization of all the rules as the hearing was just about designating the land.  I will say that the Board stated that they felt the verbiage should reflect the need for a valid hunting license and valid hunting calibers.  I guess DOCARE and everyone there in support of the initiative could have balked at the DLNR board and sank it right there, but I will tell you that a former head of the HRA, the group trying for the public range in Kona and all others there were very supportive of what was occurring, myself included. 

Also, consider that what is finalized may be different than the what may have been discussed in the hearing.  I am not going off of a news story.  I did have discussions with Farrell and I am not going to speak for him, nor describe in detail what we may have discussed, but I think he would be supportive of a general public range space that isn't specifically directed at the hunter's ed program.  I will also tell you that he is supportive of those using the area and may not necessarily like being bound over by the current laws to enforce.  DOCARE and the DLNR board are supportive.

Forgive the basic question, will the range have RSO or will it be shoot on your own?

As of the hearing on 23 Feb, it was briefly explained to the board about how it is currently being done.  This was followed by brief discussions into future options to address this and this was not something that was on the agenda for the hearing as it shouldn't be.  Brief discussions are best at this point as it was just to get over hurdle #1 which was land designation.  It is best that I take this same queue to wind up further discussion on my behalf.  Hope to see it through for the benefit of those who may be able to use the location.

I will remain cautiously optimistic. I would like to see both proposed locations come to fruition. My home is close to the range area in the Manuka National Forest.

If this happens sooner rather than later I would consider early retirement. It would be great if some of us try to reinstate the Big Island Gun Club and maybe become an arm of the HRA. Loosely organize all the splinter groups and clubs around the island under one organization for representation and activism purposes. I would like to see as many people as possible support the range(s) and have friends of the range clean up days and group ammo buys like we used to have when I first lived there. If we could have group ammo buys then we can also do group powder and primer buys as well.

Am I living in a utopian world? Probably so.

I’m in to revive BISC.

Forgive the basic question, will the range have RSO or will it be shoot on your own?

If you need an RSO, message me. My creds are current. I can also do reloading classes.

As of the hearing on 23 Feb, it was briefly explained to the board about how it is currently being done.  This was followed by brief discussions into future options to address this and this was not something that was on the agenda for the hearing as it shouldn't be.  Brief discussions are best at this point as it was just to get over hurdle #1 which was land designation.  It is best that I take this same queue to wind up further discussion on my behalf.  Hope to see it through for the benefit of those who may be able to use the location.

So not determined yet until they get land designation?

Is there a plan for how many lanes there will be and the distance?

Just spoke on the phone with head of DOCARE Andrew Choy re firearms/calibers allowed to be used at 16MM public shooting range.

"All .22s, handguns" etc. are allowed, the current rules "effectively lifts shooting caliber restrictions". No "incendiary devices".

He expects that said rules will be posted in the fairly near future.

And via email:

Per our conversation, here is the link to §13-121-6, Hawaii Administrative Rules: http://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/rules/Chap121a.pdf

These rules apply to the immediate 3 acres at Mile Marker 16 where the existing target shooting activity is occurring. 

So not determined yet until they get land designation?

Is there a plan for how many lanes there will be and the distance?

The land approval was agreed upon at the hearing.  Finalization of range SOP and rules would naturally follow the land board hearing.  The State AG rep in the meeting would work with officials in drafting new amendments.  It is a process.

Just spoke on the phone with head of DOCARE Andrew Choy re firearms/calibers allowed to be used at 16MM public shooting range.

"All .22s, handguns" etc. are allowed, the current rules "effectively lifts shooting caliber restrictions". No "incendiary devices".

He expects that said rules will be posted in the fairly near future.

And via email:

Per our conversation, here is the link to §13-121-6, Hawaii Administrative Rules: http://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/rules/Chap121a.pdf

These rules apply to the immediate 3 acres at Mile Marker 16 where the existing target shooting activity is occurring. 

Robert Farrell is the Chief for DOCARE.  Andrew is the program manager for the Hunters Ed program.  They both support the MM16 and Manuka projects.  Board meeting minutes are not yet online for 23 Feb.