WAILUA — Pig hunting will be happening on Nounou Mountain, also known as Sleeping Giant, today through Nov. 30.
It’s solely archery, only open to hunters who have attended a safety meeting and have a permit, and is the result of months of planning by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
About 40 people attended the public meeting about the six-month trial hunt, which was hosted by DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife in February.
“The purpose of this is to control the population that’s coming down into neighborhoods,” Sheri Mann, Kauai Division of Forestry and Wildlife branch manager, said at the meeting.
Residents at the meeting voiced concerns about the use of Nounou Mountain as a popular hiking spot, and wondered if there would be conflicts between hikers and hunters, but no one voiced opposition to lowering the pig population.
“I’ve hiked that mountain my whole life,” Robert Cremer, Kapaa resident and Kauai representative on the state Hunting and Game Management Advisory Commission, said at the meeting. “Hikers won’t be bothered unless they’re anti-hunting.”
He continued: “The sport archers need a place on the Eastside where they can hunt, plus it’s getting the pigs coming into your back yard. I think the archery will really help you guys as a community.”
Mann told the February meeting crowd that the trial would be reassessed after six months and decision-
making will be based on the results of the May through November trial — particularly the hunter check boxes that are stationed at each of the trailheads.
Last week, DLNR officials emphasized safety procedures by advising all hikers are “required to keep all pets on leashes, stay on designated trails and recommended to wear bright-colored clothing.”
Future meetings will be announced for more participation in animal control at a later date. For more information on this project, call 274-3433.
Sometimes its the residents who feed those wild pigs the problem
As a life-long hunter and regular Nounou hiker, one of the problems I have with this program is the possibility of a tragic accident. People tend to think of archery as a safer method of hunting because of limited range etc. However, deflected arrows can be a deadly problem.
Someone may think that they are placing an arrow in a safe direction away from the hiking trail, but a simple deflection off the side of a tree or branch can send an arrow off in a direction completely unanticipated. This could result in an arrow wound to a hiker. Arrows are deadly because of the massive amount of bleeding the broadheads cause.
Another issue is the hunter himself…I’ve seen a lot of careless people on state hunting lands. Some have resulted in death…one man actually shot his own brother, mistaking him for a pig as he was walking though thick brush.
RG DeSoto
My husband and I are thrilled the State is initiating pig hunting on Nou Nou. Our yard and many others in our neighborhood sustain major damage. There are dozens of hogs coming down. A neighbor continues to toss chicken feed to hundreds of wild chickens so we also suffer chicken damage from rooting and hundreds of roosters crowing day and night preventing us from sleeping (as bad or worse than barking dogs). Huge rats and hogs also feed on chicken feed and eggs and cat food left outside by this one neighbor, who ignores requests to stop from the State Wildlife Manager. Even worse, several neighbors have even been attacked by the hogs — so we are not alone being scared to get out of our cars or walk dogs later in the day and night. It should be illegal to feed wild animals, especially in single family neighborhoods! Our quality of life and ability to live in peace is totally destroyed. Time for the County as well as the State to protect residents from inconsiderate neighbors!
They should just close the trail to
Hikers until the hunting is done .. I don’t wanna go and
Take my dogs and risk getting hit with arrows and u know not everybody gonna have the permits ..
Unbelievable! Where do I start? I guess the 100’s of acres of hunting area up loop road is too far of a drive? Did you forget about Moalepe and Kuilau trails? These are both designated as hunting areas, and the last time I checked they are on the East side. As a trail user I am wondering how long it’s going to take to have an incident? With hikers (adults and children), pets, mountain bike riders, trail runners (locals and tourists) using these trails on a daily basis it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens. So let me get this straight, as of today if your hiking or riding mountain bike you will have to be wondering if there is a hunter lying in wait with a lethal weapon ready to mistake you, your child or your pet as a feral pig? That is CRAZY! Sorry about your neighbors and yard Mr. Gregg, but I have to wonder how you could put the aesthetics of your yard over public safety? Very selfish. By the way, there are people on island who will trap and eradicate feral pigs. As for your neighbors, good luck. I sure hope nothing happens, but if something does, Sheri Mann and Robert Cremer are you ready to take responsibility? UNBELIEVABLE!
I checked the check-in boxes on my way home from work and thought you all might be interested in the results. And bear in mind that most guys can only make weekends:
5 hunters participated, 1 at the Houselots check-in station and two at each of the others.
2 pigs were recorded as killed, a boar and a sow.
Are there specific days the hunters will be using the area? I believe Sat-Mondays and holidays are designated for hunters at Moalepe and Kuilau trails. I keep that in mind and use those trails on the other days.