August 27, 2010
Hawaii’s severe drought brings rise in illegal hunting
HILO, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) – An unexpected side effect of Hawaii’s severe drought is emerging: illegal hunting. Police say the crime is on the rise.
They say hunters are tempted by all the wild animals that are coming down to lower elevations, searching for food and water, and that’s sparked a rash of complaints from landowners.
Friday, police issued a warning to hunters.
“With illegal hunting comes with other criminal charges such as reckless endangering, criminal property damage, trespass and theft of livestock” said Officer Jeremy Lewis.
In June, a group in Keaau was caught illegally hunting pigs on private property. One of them was accidentally shot and went to the hospital in critical condition.