Voice of Stephanie Salazar

This past weekend, areas of Pohakuloa Training Area were opened to hunters in the hopes of thinning the wild goat and sheep population in the conservation areas.

According to a U. S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Command media release, licensed hunters could check-in at the Huluhulu station on the east side of PTA, and the Kilohana station on the west side of PTA. Hunters received a handout of information including maps detailing approved access areas, travel routes, and hunting areas on the installation.

The feral ungualtes – or hoofed animals – were introduced to the islands 200 years ago, and the army says they have been devastating to the region’s unique native environment.

Big Island hunters are being encouraged to monitor the PTA Hunter’s Hotline at 969-3474 for specific information. The army indicated that the area will be open to hunting again this coming weekend.

From the U.S. Army media release:

“We’ve consulted with (the Department of Land and Natural Resources) and local hunting and conservation groups to engage the community regarding our strategies to eliminate the goats and sheep in our conservation areas,” said Lt. Col. Rolland C. Niles, PTA commander. “These animals are devastating to this region’s unique native environment.”

Hunting of wild, or “feral,” goats and sheep is being used to help eliminate the ungulate population here, now estimated to number approximately 300-400 across a 25,000-acre area, according to Dr. Peter Peshut, biologist, PTA Natural Resources Office. In 2009, an estimated 1,700 ungulates were driven from PTA conservation areas and were released live to open game-management areas.

Feral ungulates are hoofed animals, including goats and sheep, and were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands about 200 years ago.

“These browsing animals are the primary threat to habitat conservation efforts in Hawaii, and the elimination of feral ungulates has broad support from our environmental community,” Peshut said.

“We’ve consulted with (the Department of Land and Natural Resources) and local hunting and conservation groups to engage the community regarding our strategies to eliminate the goats and sheep in our conservation areas,” said Lt. Col. Rolland C. Niles, PTA commander. “These animals are devastating to this region’s unique native environment.”

Hunting of wild, or “feral,” goats and sheep is being used to help eliminate the ungulate population here, now estimated to number approximately 300-400 across a 25,000-acre area, according to Dr. Peter Peshut, biologist, PTA Natural Resources Office. In 2009, an estimated 1,700 ungulates were driven from PTA conservation areas and were released live to open game-management areas.

Feral ungulates are hoofed animals, including goats and sheep, and were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands about 200 years ago.

“These browsing animals are the primary threat to habitat conservation efforts in Hawaii, and the elimination of feral ungulates has broad support from our environmental community,” Peshut said.