hawaii hunting – Go Hawaii Outfitters

September 19, 2025

Hunting Hawaii License Requirements: What Every Hunter Should Know

Dreaming of hunting in paradise? Hawaii offers a unique and breathtaking hunting experience, from pursuing feral pigs in lush rainforests and axis deer on arid plains to hunting Spanish goats on volcanic slopes. But before you pack your gear and book your flight, understanding Hawaii’s specific hunting license requirements is your first and most crucial step.

Navigating the regulations can seem complex, but don’t worry—this guide from Go Hawaii Outfitters will break down exactly what you need to know to hunt legally and responsibly in the Aloha State.

The Golden Rule: It’s a Two-Step Process

Forget what you know about other states. In Hawaii, simply having a hunting license is not enough. You must have both:

1. A Valid Hawaii Hunting License.
2. A Permit for the specific area you plan to hunt (often called a Hunter Access Permit).

As stated on the official eHawaii.gov portal, “A hunting license alone does not allow you to hunt. You must have a permit for the area you wish to hunt.” You cannot get a permit without first having a valid hunting license. Think of the license as your permission to hunt in the state, and the permit as your key to a specific piece of land.

Who Needs a Hawaii Hunting License?

Generally, anyone 15 years of age or older must have a hunting license to hunt any game bird or mammal in Hawaii. This applies to both residents and non-residents.
Exceptions:
Landowners hunting on their own land do not need a license (but may need permits for certain game).
Minors under 15 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult. The adult is responsible for ensuring all hunting laws are followed.

Step 1: Getting Your Hawaii Hunting License

You can purchase your Hawaii hunting license online, by mail, or in person.

Online (Recommended): The easiest method for most people is through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) website. You’ll need to create an account, complete a brief online hunter education quiz (if you haven’t already certified), and pay with a credit card. You can print your license immediately.
In Person: Licenses are sold at various Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) offices on all major islands and at some licensed fishing and hunting supply stores.
By Mail: You can download an application form from the DLNR website and mail it with a check or money order.

License Fees (Subject to change):

Resident: $20
Non-Resident: $105
Term: All hunting licenses are valid for a strict one-year term from July 1 through June 30 of the following year (the state’s fiscal year), regardless of when you purchase it. This is a critical detail to remember for trip planning.

Mandatory Hunter Education

This is a key point clarified on the state website: All hunters, regardless of age, must show proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license.

Hawaii recognizes hunter education certifications from all other states and Canadian provinces.
If you haven’t taken a course, Hawaii offers an online option followed by a short, in-person field day. You can complete the online portion to purchase a temporary license before attending the field day.

Step 2: Securing Your Hunter Access Permit

This is where many newcomers get tripped up. Hawaii’s public hunting areas are managed as either:

Public Hunting Areas (PHAs): Require a Hunter Access Permit, which is typically free. You must apply for these for a specific island and season. Availability is often limited and may be issued via lottery for certain units.
Non-Public Hunting Areas: These are private or state lands that may require a special, often paid, permit. This includes many Ungulate Control Areas designed to manage populations of pigs, goats, and deer.

How to Get a Permit:

1. Identify Your Target Area: Use the Go Hunt Hawaii website to explore maps and see which units are open for hunting and what game is available. Need help choosing? The team at Go Hawaii Outfitters has intimate knowledge of the islands’ hunting units and can help guide you based on your goals and season.
2. Check the Schedule: Hunting seasons for specific game and areas are broken into periods. You must apply for the correct period.
3. Apply Online: The online portal is the primary way to apply for free Public Hunting Area permits. For controlled hunts, there is usually a lottery application window.
4. Carry It With You: Your permit must be in your possession while hunting, along with your hunting license and government-issued ID.

Key Things to Remember & Pro Tips

Island-Specific Rules: Regulations can vary significantly from island to island (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island, Lanai, Molokai). Always check the rules for the specific island you plan to hunt on.
Tags & Reporting: For certain game, like axis deer on Lanai or Molokai, you may need to draw a tag in addition to your permit. Furthermore, harvest reporting is mandatory for all game taken. You must report your harvest through the Go Hunt Hawaii system, even if you were unsuccessful. This data is critical for managing game populations.
Respect the `Aina (Land): Hawaii’s ecosystem is fragile and unique. Practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all your trash, and be respectful of cultural sites and private property.
Start Early: Begin your license and permit process weeks or even months in advance, especially if you’re aiming for a coveted controlled hunt lottery spot. Remember the July-June license term when planning your calendar.

Resources are Your Best Friend

Official Website: Hunting in Hawaii ePortal – This is your one-stop shop for licenses, permits, regulations, maps, and harvest reporting.
Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW): Contact the local office on the island you wish to hunt for the most current information.
Go Hawaii Outfitters: For those looking to simplify the process and maximize their success, booking a guided hunt with us ensures all permits, licenses, and access are handled for you. We provide expert knowledge of the terrain, game patterns, and regulations, allowing you to focus on the experience.

Hunting in Hawaii is an unforgettable adventure. By taking the time to understand and secure the proper licenses and permits, you ensure your trip is legal, ethical, and set up for success. Now get out there and enjoy the incredible hunting opportunities that the islands have to offer.

May 21, 2020May 21, 2020

Popularizing Hunting Safety: Doing It The Right Way

Hunting symbolizes a unique passion, hobby, and adventure. People across the globe cherish the sport and are fans of it. Whether it is a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or even a beginner, or someone hunting for the very first time, hunting attracts all kinds of people.

Hunting is marked by the arrival of autumn and the falling leaves and brisk weather. It is celebrated in most parts of the world as it is one of the most adventurous sports of all. In Hawaii, it is among the popular leisure activities for both locals and tourists alike. However, hunting, like other sports requires certain hunting safety measures. So, along with the adventure, taking care of hunting safety, will let you enjoy this sport to the fullest.

Following are a few general rules regarding hunting safety:

Planning for the weather

Since autumn is the official weather for hunting; hunters usually run the general risk of hypothermia in the cold weather. Thus, dressing in warm layers, avoiding moisture-retaining cotton as well as considering water-repelling outer layer is something hunters should consider before venturing out for hunting.

Making noise

This includes talking loudly, or to a companion while venturing in the hunting zones, especially if a shot is heard from nearby. Once other hunters/your group have acknowledged your presence, reduce the noise so as to avoid scaring away the animals. So just keep it low if you want to have a successful hunt.

Gun care

Taking appropriate care of your gun is another important thing to do for safety. Thus, the gun needs to be serviced regularly and further, while cleaning the gun, make sure you unload the trigger or you will just end up injuring your own self.

Axis deer hunting in Hawaii is incredibly popular as one can find Axis deer in quite abundance here. The island state organizes special hunting tours for the same and is indeed an unmissable activity while holidaying in Hawaii. These deer can be hunted with the use of scopes or sights, specifically the red dot ones.

There are several significant advantages of using the red dot sights for hunting Axis deer.

Reflex sights or the red dot sights can be an excellent choice for general hunting, perhaps the best-suited options in some hunting situations.
The red dot sights serve as the best and ideal option when hunting situations are close and fast.
The target acquisition is quite fast when the red dot sights are used as these are incredibly reflexive and one can barely miss the target. These sights are perfect for hunting deer as they are one of the most alert and fast animals.
Deer can also be hunted with the help of red dots in the night or low light conditions as they do not decrease the light transmitted to the eyes and also some red dot sights are designed to work with night vision devices. So it makes it easier to target the prey.

To be good at hunting requires the same efforts as required at any other sport. Not to forget the hunting safety here. You just have to be perseverant, calm, and passionate.

With a few tips and techniques one can actually master the art of hunting:

Knowing when to shoot

Knowing when to take a shot is the most important thing that will determine your hunting skills. Thus, a good hunter knows when to take the shot. Most of the time, the animals escape because the hunters keep on waiting for the perfect shot. Therefore, knowing when to press the trigger is important.

Eye for details- Geography, animal movement, area

While hunting for deer, smart hunters will always use the advantages that the terrains and the land features provide. Pay attention to how deer make use of land terrains and soon you will know why they do so. Therefore, when you hunt, you ought to know the advantages, disadvantages of the land terrains, and the place that you are hunting at. In short, attention to detail is important. This will just make your work easier.

Using tools

Using each tactical tool in your arsenal appropriately is very essential. There are so many hunting techniques and tactics, especially for hunting deer. So taking a hunter safety course can be quite helpful in making you aware of all the important details about hunting and hunting safety. There is a perfect time for deployment of each tool and learning about all of them will make you a better hunter. This will make the hunting in the woods real easy.

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Protecting the hunting heritage

The last significant thing here is that you have to respect, value, and have pride in hunting. You need to protect the hunting heritage. You have to follow the rules and regulations. This means that showing the rest, what hunting is really about, and is not just what it seems- killing for fun. When you make people understand that, you are doing everything you can to protect the hunting heritage.

Conclusion

Thus, hunting is more than the mere killing of animals as it seems to most non-hunters. It is a sport which not just requires passion, perseverance, and love but also the right knowledge, awareness, and following the legalities and set rules.

May 10, 2020

Make Your Deer Hunting in Hawaii the Most Memorable & Successful! Follow the Exceptional Tricks!

Deer hunting is so exciting adventure. However, none other outdoor activity is so entangled in myths and history, which is one of the reasons that it might not appeal to every person. But regardless of those myths, many people love hunting at any cost. Well, it’s not so easy. Even after having yearly experience, there’re still new things to learn.

The noobs wonder how to start it and get success in the Hawaii hunting trip. No worries! We are here to put you on the right track with excellent tips either you are at the starting level or have enjoyed doing it earlier. This article will prove valuable for all!

Choose the Method and Weapon

Before hunting, you need to decide which method you want to choose. There are several methods like a bow, pistol, rifle hunting, etc. While choosing one, your budget and skills matter a ton. You need to know about the weapon and method you are choosing for better results. She must be familiar with your equipment.

Dress and Necessities to Pack

So hunting is not that easy! You will have to sit for hours, walk unceasingly, and wait for a long time to get your prey. Besides, the weather is also important to consider while wearing cloths. You can wear a loose fitted long-sleeve shirt in the summers. You can prefer wearing a hoodie or coat or you can keep it in your bag for a sudden requirement. Moreover, tall rubber gloves, sharp knife, hat, pen, bag are some other items you can carry.

Hunter’s License

Hawaii hunting rules and regulations necessitate hunters to have a license for it. In most states, the license is essential. Some states even have rules to complete a course with a written exam. So you need to go through all rules before starting hunting.

Right Place for Hunting

The right place is vital for initiating deer hunting. Either you want to do public hunting or want to complete it at some private place then you can do accordingly after having proper permissions.

Want to Make Hunting in Hawaii more Successful? Go through the tricks for it!

Even after implementing all Hawaii hunting rules and regulations, it doesn’t necessitate your success. To become successful in Axis deer hunting in Hawaii, here are some tricks that can prove beneficial for you!

Time is Important Element

Time is quite important for every work you initiate. The same is with hunting in Hawaii. Deer are pretty unpredictable and even can create the illusion for hours & let you wait for them. So, if you reach there at the right time then that could prove a golden chance for you.

The final three hours of the day can be good for hunting purposes. Before the sun goes down, in those hours you might see a deer to hunt.

Know about the Wind

The wind can make or break your hunting tricks. The improper wind can instantly let you lose your focus. Once a deer get wind of you or smell you because of wind then hunting would turn out a far-fetching deal.

So use body wash, soap, shampoo and other things to mask your scent. Even you can buy scent-blocking spray too while you are on hunting in Hawaii.

Wait to Take the Shot

Waiting and patience are two important elements you must have for hunting success. When the deer stands perpendicular to the rifle barrel then it’s the right time to take the shot. See whether you can bring your sights onto deer in the way if you want to target the heart or lungs. So if you have set the target, take a long breath, and then trigger it. Don’t be in a hurry after spotting a deer.

Hunting has Now Become Sports for All Seasons, How?

Hunting Rules and regulations limit down the hunting to some months & seasons of the year. However, this limit has been taken away by hunting games that permit you to play all the time in any season you want.

It has surely turned out as sports without any close season. Now your Hawaii hunting trip is not limited to just one or two seasons as you can get it done via your computer or television at any time you want.

Want to Accomplish Your Dream of Hunting in Hawaii?

Hunting Outfitters Hawaii can make your hunting in Hawaii the most ravishing and memorable. If you wonder how to fulfill Hawaii hunting rules and regulations then just don’t worry! We are all here to make it super easy and cool for you.

Just reach us to know how to start a Hawaii hunting trip and get the most memorable moments there!

January 23, 2020

Axis Deer Hunting In Hawaii: History And The Current Scenario

Hawaii – the paradise known for its beautiful landscapes, amazing islands, extensive grasslands and a wide variety of species to hunt. Hunting in Hawaii is popular among the tourists due to several factors such as thick and extreme backwoods, different types of creatures and obviously their delightful meat. You get to hunt a number of animals like the Axis deer, Hawaiian Boar, Black Hawaiian Sheep, Mouflon and Dove on the islands of Hawaii. However, axis deer hunting is among the most popular activities.

Now, why axis deer hunting is so popular in Hawaii? How these deer were introduced in Hawaii? What’s the history behind their hunting? Answers to these questions are important. So this article covers everything that you need to know about Hawaii’s hunting scenario.

•The history of Axis Deer in Hawaii: The history of Axis Deer can be traced back to 1867 when King Kamehameha V received ‘eight animals’ as a gift from Hong Kong. That day, for the first time, Hawaiians saw ‘Axis deer’ on the islands of Molokai. Then after a few years, they were introduced in other Hawaiian islands—Lanai and Maui to increase the hunting opportunities.

But in the 1950s, the population of axis deer started to increase by 20-30 percent every year as there were no natural predators on the Hawaiian Islands. This dramatic increase in their population affected the natural areas and agricultural lands of the locals. According to scientists, axis deer were causing serious damage to landscapes and therefore, the government decided to abandon the further release of deer in Hawaii.

As per the survey, axis deer caused damage of $1 million during the past few years for farmers, ranchers, and resorts in Maui Island. Due to their abundant population, the deer used to eat Hawaii’s native ebony tree, the lama, native olive tree and mint grown on the island of Lanai. This resulted in the extinction of these vegetations and transformed a rich native forest into a desert-like landscape. So to tackle this problem, the government allowed axis deer hunting Hawaii in several public and private islands. In this way, the hunting came into being in Hawaii.

•The Current Scenario Of Hunting in Hawaii: Hawaii attracts more than 8.3 million tourists from all over the globe, who spend approximately over $16 billion every year. Due to dense woodland and abundant species of animals in Hawaii, it is considered as an ideal hunting destination today. Especially Axis Deer Hunting Hawaii, which is popular due to its high protein meat and demand in the international market.

Statistically, every year, more than 50 Axis deer are been hunted for a number of purposes such as recreation, ecological balance, deer meat, and so on. As a result, Hawaii is the state that currently tops the hunting friendly list, providing the best hunting opportunities and experiences to the avid hunters. However, for the best hunting experience, one must follow the Hawaii Hunting Tips.

•Rules For Hunting In A Private Property In Hawaii: Hunting in Hawaii can definitely offer you once-in-a-lifetime experience, but not without rules and regulations. Yes, there are laws that one must abide by to make the most of this activity.

Here are the common rules to hunt on both public and private properties:

1.If you are a non-resident, you have to pay a certain amount as the permit fee.

2.It’s mandatory to complete a hunter education course and avail a Hawaiian Hunting license from The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to be able to hunt in Hawaii.

3.Apart from the license, you should also carry a safety card and a letter of exception.

However, for hunting on a private island specifically, there are additional Hawaii Hunting Rules and Regulations, which must be followed sincerely:

1.Before hunting, it’s mandatory to have written permission from the owner of the island while abiding the state hunting laws. Note: If you’re caught trespassing on the private island with a loaded firearm, you will be heavily penalized or can even face imprisonment for 10 years.

2.Hunters cannot disturb, remove, take or steal things such as fossils, monuments, burial sites, and antiquities from the private island. The hunters only have access to the land for hunting or recreational purposes; everything else on the property belongs to the owner and must be left as it is.

3.Game mammals can be hunted only with a valid hunting license and the landowner’s permission on private land (subject to few exceptions).

4.If the hunter brings his/her own gun, it’s compulsory to register it with the local police department before the hunt.

All in all, Hawaii is not just a beach paradise but also a destination to hunt some exotic species of animals, mammals, and birds. Hunting in Hawaii is a unique experience in itself that provides a perfect finale to your Hawaiian tour.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to up your hunting game and get ready to chase big.