didnt even know there were even turkies in hawii

They have plenty of birds. When I was stationed at Schofield Barracks we would catch a hop to the big island on a C-12 to bird hunt. They have California, blue and 2 or 3 other types of quail, Ringnecked Pheasants, Chukars, Francolin (best eating) and Turkeys (Merriams If mem serves). Also feral Sheep, Goats and pigs. There's photos in my profile of sheep and goats. My bird pics aren't really of a quality I would post.

Looks like you had a blast. i want to go.

I had no idea there were turkies in Hawaii. Though my teacher that should the pic. to said he wouldnt turkey hunt if he was in hawaii, he would rather go to the beach or visit volcanoes. I guess he is a sciece teacher...

I have tired for several years to book a hunt on the big island with guides recomended by the NAHC. so far no luck and I must say rude as hell. Another problem I ran into is that Hawaii requires (or did require)passing hunter ed, my years teaching hunter ed and range safety did not help with HFGD. They would not tell me when the hunter ed classes where, but that maybe before the season starts. My plan was to stay with friends on the big island so that means round trip air fare to Oahu and 3 days to go thru thier hunter ed and get a License. 3 days hotel ,car, meals,course fee, license fee...somehow just to much for a turkey, much better to hunt here in washington, with 3 species and three bird limit...CLS

Aloha Jay,

Congrats on a great hunt and beautiful Rio!

I had the great pleasure of hunting with Jon Sabati on the Kealia Ranch while in the islands 4 years ago. Jon is the head of the NWTF out there, an all-around great guy and knows the ground he guides. He knows that those who come so far to hunt want a quality experience and is careful about pressuring birds. I hunted the last weekend of the season but we set up at first light in an area where he had not yet hunted birds on the roost. We had a tom in full strut on a dead koa limb 80 yards in front of us that put on a show! He flew down and went away with his hen, but 2 more longbeards charged in shortly afterward and I tagged my first Rio on the slopes of Mauna Loa! Jon got it all on film for his cable outdoors show in the island and I have a DVD to relive that hunt for a long time!

The area we hunted was forested--the terrain varies with where you are on the volcano's slope. Birds all the way up and down! Awesome experience, although the walk DOWN the mountain from the road before daylight was a bit spooky!

Grilled turkey marinated in fresh Hawaiian pineapple with mango and papaya, and fresh ahi sashimi--that was a MEAL!

I'm a science teacher--I killed a bird, went to the beach and saw the volcanoes TOO!

If you are going to Hawaii in March--call Jon and get your Aloha State gobbler!

Chuck S.--all I had to do was show proof of completing a hunter ed class(card from Michigan), not do their class. Many states now require this--I have a couple adults in my hunter ed class each year who need a card to hunt out west.

Ya i also did not know there were turkey's in Ha