HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2008-2009 game bird hunting season on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Department biologists are predicting an average to below average season of bird hunting with ongoing dry conditions in many parts of the state.

The fall game bird hunting season will run through Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, with legal hunting days on Saturday, Sunday, and state holidays.

Due to a December 2007 appellate court ruling, game bird stamps and fees are waived, and only a hunting license is required for all game bird hunting on public and private lands.

Specific details on open areas, bag limits, and conditions are provided in HAR 13-122, "Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting." Additional information is available on the Division of Forestry and Wildlife website, www.dofaw.net <http://www.dofaw.net> 'under "Announcements" and through the district offices listed below.

Island of Kaua'i:

Units A, B, E, H, and I are open for game bird hunting, with Unit F open for game bird hunting with archery equipment only. Pu'u 'Opae Sugar Cane Lands and the Waimea Heights Special Game Bird Hunting Area are also being opened to the public for the season by the private landowners. The Waimea Heights area will be opened to hunting on weekends only (and not state holidays) throughout the season. Other private lands on the island of Kaua'i are open to game bird hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, with landowner permission.

Island of O'ahu

Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be open for the duration of the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. If accessing Units 1 or 2 from Farrington Highway, hunters must check in and out of the Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station Access Road. Private lands are open to game bird hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, with landowner permission.

Islands of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i

Maui: Units C, F, and N will be open for the duration of the season, on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. Units C and F will be closed to game mammal hunting on open game bird hunting days.

Moloka'i: the Moloka'i Forest Reserve (Units C, D, and E) will be open for the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, and closed for mammal hunting on open game bird hunting days.

Lana'i: the Cooperative Game Management Areas (Units 1, 2, and 3) will be open for the season on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. For instructions on access and parking, see the DOFAW website under "Announcements,"or contact a district office.

Island of Hawai'i

All public hunting areas for game birds will be open for the entire season on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, with the following exceptions: All portions of Pu'u Wa'awa'a have been closed to public access due to fire danger. The Kahua/Ponoholo Special Permit has been closed by the landowner due to concerns over fire danger. Pohakuloa Training Area is open by clearance only when not in conflict with military training activities. Private lands on Hawai'i island will be open to game bird hunting only Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, with landowner permission.

Further information may be obtained at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife website www.dofaw.net under "Announcements," or by contacting Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers: Kaua'i: 808-274-3433; O'ahu: 587-0166; Maui: 808-984-8100; Moloka'i: 808-553-1745; Lana'i: 808-565-7916; Hilo: 808-974-4221; Waimea: 808-887-6063.

All areas statewide: Game bird hunters should be familiar with Title 13, Chapter 122 "Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting."

Where check stations are established, hunters are required to check in and out. When seeking to hunt on private land, first obtain permission from landowners.

Please help prevent fires. Do not park or drive in tall grass or bush. Smoking in the field can be extremely hazardous. Report smoke or suspected fires immediately, even if you think somebody may have already reported them.

Support wildlife conservation: Report game law violators to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement by calling the new DOCARE number: 643-DLNR, or 643-3567.