Open season is just a few weeks away for most of the US. It’s an exciting time of year for veteran hunters and beginners alike.But before heading out on your first hunt in Paradise, make sure you’re familiar with Hawaii hunting laws and regulations.

Most seasoned hunters may be well aware that hunting laws evolve almost on a yearly basis. The governments’ main objective is to address public safety. Mainly, for the benefit of the hunter as well as the hunted.

Hunters Should Know These Hawaii Hunting Laws

It’s a must to keep up to date on Hawaii hunting laws and regulations before heading out on your first hunt. Studying your state’s hunting laws might be a bit time consuming, and we know you’re impatient to get out there and start shooting. But breaking the law and having to pay a fine can put a serious damper on a hunting season.

Keep reading to learn about Hawaii hunting laws including dates, which animals you’re allowed to hunt, which weapon you’re allowed to use, how to get a hunting license, and much more.

1. Deer Hunting Seasons in Hawaii

• Island of Kauai:
  • Black-tailed Deer:
    • Year-round
• Island of Lanai:
  • Axis Deer:
    • Mid-February through Mid May
    • Youth Hunt: First Weekend in March

Learn more on hunting seasons for other game in Hawaii, click here.

Legal Hunting Animals & Weapons

When hunting with dogs where permitted:

• Any muzzleloading rifle with a minimum of 0.45 caliber bore diameter
• Any rifle using at least a 0.22 caliber magnum load or center fire cartridge
• Shotguns loaded with 00 or larger buckshot or slugs
• Spear or Knives

When hunting without dogs:

• Any rifle with a muzzle energy rating of 1,200 foot pounds or more
• Shotguns loaded with 00 or larger buckshot
• Muzzleloader rifles with a minimum of 0.45 caliber bore daimeter
• For muzzleloader only designated hunts, breech loaders may not be used.

When hunting with a bow:

• Long bows must have a minimum of 40 pounds at a 28-inch draw
• Recurved bows must have a minimum of 35 pounds
• Compound bows must have a minimum of 30 pounds

Read on the Division of Forestry and Wildlife for hunting in private land and registering firearms when hunting in Hawaii.

2. Hunting Wild Boar in Hawaii

• Islands:
  • Kauai: Year Round
  • Oahu: Year Round
  • Maui: Year Round
  • Hawaii: Year Round

If you want to know more about hunting dates for other game, you can refer to the hunting season hq.

Legal Hunting Animals and Weapons

When hunting with dogs:

• Shotguns loaded with 00 or larger buckshot.
• Rifles using at least 22 caliber magnum load or any center fire cartridge.
• Muzzleloaders, revolvers included:
  • Must be of 44 caliber or larger.
  • Barrel length of at least 4 1/2 inches.
• Spears and knives.
• Handguns must be at least 22 caliber, magnum load or larger cartridge.

When hunting without dogs:

• Cartridge firing rifles with a muzzle discharge energy rating of at least twelve-hundred foot pounds
• Shotguns loaded with a shot larger than 00 buckshot
• Muzzleloading rifles with a bore diameter of at least 44 caliber (0.44″) regardless of mode of ignition
• Should not have breech loaders during muzzleloader-only season.

When hunting with a bow:

• Long bows with at least 40 lbs of draw tension at a 28-inch draw.
• Recurved bows with at least 35 lbs of draw tension.
• Arrows must have a minimum blade cutting diameter of width of three-quarters of an inch.

When using a handgun:

• Centerfire single shot pistols and revolver handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 1/2 inches.
• Semi-automatic pistols must have a minimum barrel length of 5 inches.
• Single or double barreled muzzleloaders:
  • Must be of 44 caliber or larger.
  • Minimum load of 60 grains of black powder or equivalent.
  • Uses a projectile with a minimum grain weight of 200 (round ball or slug of 51 caliber or larger)
• Straight wall cartridge ammunition:
  • .357 caliber or larger.
  • Minimum case length of 1 1/4 inches.
  • The 45 win mag and 10 mm auto mag cartridges are allowed.
•  Neck rifled type cartridge ammunition shall be 223 caliber or larger.
• All handgun bullets:
  • Expanding type for 43 caliber or smaller.
  • Flat-nosed or round-nosed exposed lead type for  43 caliber non-expanding types.

For more details on types of weapons and animals per island, start reading on page 19 of the Game Mammal Hunting Guide with maps.

3. Hunting Mouflon Sheep in Hawaii

Hunting this specific game is only available on the island of Lanai.

General Season:

• August – October

Youth Hunt:

• Second week of August

For more details, click here.

Legal Hunting Weapons

• A long bow must have a minimum of 40 pounds at a 28-inch draw
• Compound bows must have a minimum of 30 pounds at a 28-inch draw

For additional details on legal and restricted weapons start drawing at page 14 of the Game Mammal Game Hunting with maps.

Licenses and Permits

You can purchase you hunting license online with the following requirements:

1. A valid Hawai’i Hunter Education Number or
2. A valid Exemption Number issued by the Hawai’i Hunter Education Program
3. Social Security Number
4. A Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card
5. A printer must be connected to your computer.

For more specific details on purchasing a hunting license online, click here.

Do you want to see how they hunt wild boar with dogs in Hawaii? Watch this video by nbarca. 

As long as you are knowledgeable with the hunting laws in the state of Hawaii and abide by them to the letter, you and your hunting buddies will surely enjoy every minute of hunting.

Hunt safe and hunt proud!

Have you learned a lot? if you want to know more about hunting laws and regulations in other states, you can read on here.