Chasing the Game Birds of Hawaii - Part 1

One of the reasons I migrated to the Big Island almost three decades ago was its friendly people, whose courteous, thoughtful and accepting attitude is not a widespread behavioral trait elsewhere. It would be incorrect to say, however, that this was the only reason. As a lifelong hunter, I found the island’s plentiful game resources, particularly its diverse huntable bird populations, an equally strong attraction. This series of three articles will look at each of the island’s current game-bird species in some detail, concluding with my personal observations and comments.

To begin, some basic background information may be helpful. Game-bird hunting is regulated by Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, Title 13, Chapter 122, “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials, and