KULA, Hawaii – Two men were arrested last month on a public road in the interior Oprah Winfrey Maui properties on the Hawaiian island of Maui are suspected of illegal night hunting, state officials said Monday.
The two Maui men, both 19, were arrested shortly before midnight on June 21 after officers found them using a hunting spotlight on a public road that runs through Winfrey’s farm in Kula, the Department said. of Land and Natural Resources in a news release.
Although they were not caught actively hunting, deputies found a loaded shotgun and a loaded rifle in the pair’s truck, and Winfrey’s ranch borders the road where they were stopped, the state said.
The men were arrested on suspicion of hunting on private land without authorization, not having a hunting license and other violations. One of them was also arrested for possession of an unregistered semi-automatic rifle.
Invasive deer run wild on Maui and other Hawaiian islands.
Maui County prosecutors will review the case and determine whether charges will be filed. Records show the men were released pending the investigation, county officials said.
“Last month, DLNR reached out to Inland ranchers about their efforts to prevent poaching throughout the area and we agreed to cooperate. The arrests did not take place on the property,” Winfrey’s production company, Harpo, said Monday in an emailed statement.
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