Hawaii is famous for hunters because of its stunning landscape and other natural marvels. Hunters from all over the world eagerly await Hawaii’s hunting season because it presents a rare chance to pursue a variety of game species in a breathtaking natural setting. Many hunters are planning their travels and getting ready to take advantage of the outstanding hunting possibilities that Hawaii offers for the 2023 hunting season.
Hawaii Hunting Season
Hawaii’s 2023 hunting season gives many options for residents and non-residents. Deer, turkey, and migrating game bird seasons run year-round with varying bag limits. The Lānaði Axis deer season will have four bow hunts with two draws each and 11 gun hunts on Thursdays through Sundays. 2023 is the Lānaʻi Mouflon Sheep hunt. Hawaii Island will have spring wildfowl season. Hunting requires a pass, a Hawai’i Hunter Education Wallet Card, or a Non-resident Letter of Exemption. The Hawaiʻi Island Forestry & Wildlife Office handles game applications and permits online. After hunting, hunters must submit their harvest data and follow local laws.
| Lānaʻi axis deer hunting season 2024 | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Availability | Starting Monday, September 18, 2023 |
| Types of Hunts | 1. Archery Hunt |
| 2. Youth Hunt | |
| 3. Muzzleloader Hunt | |
| 4. General Rifle Hunt | |
| Application Website | gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov (Click on "Apply for Hunts") |
| Additional Hunt Details Link | 2024 Axis Deer Hunt Announcement |
| More Hunting Information | DLNR Hawaii Recreation - Hunting |
| Contact Information | - O‘ahu: 1-808-587-0166 |
| - Maui: 1-808-984-8100 | |
| - Hawai‘i: 1-808-974-4221 (Hilo) | |
| - Molokaʻi: 1-808-553-1745 | |
| - Kaua‘i: 1-808-274-3433 | |
| - Lānaʻi: 1-808-565-791 |
Hawaii axis deer hunting season
| Island | Hunting Season | Hunts | Bag Limit | Tag Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanai | Mid-February to Mid-May | Archery, Youth, Muzzleloader, General Rifle | 3 deer | 2 doe tags before purchasing an either-sex tag |
| Maui | Mid-October to Mid-December | Archery, General Rifle | 2 deer | 1 doe tag before purchasing a buck tag |
| Molokai | Closed | |||
| Oahu | Closed |
Lanai Axis Deer hunt 2023
| Lanai axis deer hunt Method | Hunting Start Dates | Hunting End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Hunt | 2-Mar | 5-Mar |
| Muzzleloader Hunt | 9-Mar | 12-Mar |
| General Rifle Hunt | 16-Mar | 28-Mar |
| General Rifle Hunt | 6-Apr | 10-Apr |
| General Rifle Hunt | 13-Apr | 17-Apr |
| General Rifle Hunt | 20-Apr | 24-Apr |
| General Rifle Hunt | 27-Apr | 1-May |
| General Rifle Hunt | 4-May | 8-May |
| General Rifle Hunt | 11-May | 15-May |
| General Rifle Hunt | 18-May | 22-May |
| Archery Hunt 9 first draw hunt) | 1-Feb | 12-Feb |
| Archery Hunt (second draw hunt) | 15-Feb | 26-Feb |
Lanai Mouflon Sheep Hunt
| Lanai Mouflon Sheep | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lanai Archery Mouflon Sheep | 30-Jul | 6-Aug |
| Lanai Youth Mouflon Sheep | 12-Aug | 14-Aug |
| Lanai Mouflon Sheep | 20-Aug | 15-Oct |
| Lanai Muzzleloader Mouflon Sheep | 20-Aug | 21-Aug |
The 2023 Lanai mouflon sheep hunt will include archery, youth, muzzleloader, and general rifle hunting. There is a chance that non-Lanai inhabitants will only be able to participate in part of the archery hunt, which comprises two draws that go for 12 days straight each. Suppose there are more applications than available slots. In that case, the youth and muzzleloader hunts, which take place over a single weekend, may be decided by lottery. 11 weekends are dedicated to the general rifle hunt.
Each hunter must enter a lottery, and the results were made public in May 2023. Hunters may purchase a non-typical ram tag to harvest non-typical rams, and there is a bag restriction of one ram per hunter. Further information is available on the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources website. Before hunting, it is crucial to check with the Hawaii DLNR to learn about additional limitations or laws.
Wild Sheep Season
| Species | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Wild Sheep | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
Hog Season
| Hunt Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Feral Pigs | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
| Maui Feral Pigs | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
| Kauai Feral Pigs | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
| Molokai Feral Pigs | 1-Jan | 31-Dec |
| Oahu Feral Pigs | 1-Feb | 31-Oct |
| Molokai Feral Pigs | 1-Feb | 31-Oct |
Hawaii turkey season 2023
| Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Wild Turkey | 1-Mar | 15-Apr | Hawaii Island only (Big Island). Units A, G, F, and private lands. Three bearded turkeys per season. |
| Spring Bearded Turkey (Units A, G, F) | 1-Mar | 15-Apr | Unit A – Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and GMA Unit G – Kaʻohe GMA Unit F – Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Forest Reserve |
| Spring Bearded Turkey (Unit E) | 1-Mar | 31-Mar | Unit E – Kīpuka ʻĀinahou |
| Spring Bearded Turkey (Private Land) | 1-Mar | 15-Apr | Hunters need a license, turkey tags, and landowner authorization. |
Hawaii Hunting Regulations
- One can apply for a Letter of Exemption and buy a hunting license if they possess an out-of-state hunter instruction certificate or a Hawai’i Hunting License given before July 1, 1990. Those born after December 31, 1971, must finish a training that the IHEA-USA and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources have authorized. Hunters born before January 1, 1972, may be excused from the training prerequisite by presenting evidence of a prior Hawaii hunting registration.
- A qualified adult who is not hunting must accompany hunters under 15 and have a juvenile hunting pass. For Hawaii citizens 65 and older, a complimentary shooting pass is also offered.
- Hunting with weapons is allowed, but anyone entering the state with a handgun must register it within 48 hours. The use of assault rifles is prohibited. Individuals over 18 may borrow rifles and shotguns for up to 15 days, given they are not otherwise banned from possessing weapons.
- The minimal draw weight requirements for longbows, recurved bows, and compound bows for bow shooting are 40 pounds at 28 inches, 35 pounds, and 30 pounds, respectively.
- A bag maximum of three Axis deer, two of which must be done, and one of either sex is allowed during the Lnai Axis deer and Mouflon sheep season. Before purchasing an either-sex Axis deer registration, hunters must buy two doe bands, and appropriate identification is needed at check-in.
- The Hawaii hunting Regulations website provides more information about shooting laws, including bag restrictions and the necessary Hawai’i Wildlife Conservation Stamp.
Hawaii Hunting License Cost
| Type of License/Permit | Resident Fee | Non-Resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | $20 | $105 |
| Wildlife Conservation Stamp | $20 | $40 |
| Game Bird Stamp | $10 | $10 |
| Reduced-Fee Hunting License for Non-Resident Seniors | N/A | Reduced fee |
| Free Hunting License for Senior Residents | Free | N/A |
Frequently Asked Question
What are the different hunting seasons in Hawaii?
Hawaii has multiple hunting seasons, including Axis deer from August 20 to November 30, wild boar year-round, Mouflon sheep from September 1 to February 28, bearded turkey from March 1 to May 15, and game bird from September 1 to February 28. Hawaii’s numerous hunting options allow year-round hunting in its beautiful environments.
What types of firearms are allowed for hunting in Hawaii?
Hawaii permits the use of a variety of weapons for hunting, including shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, crossbows, longbows, and recurve bows. This wide variety of legal guns gives hunters a lot of alternatives to choose from, accommodating various hunting tastes and techniques across Hawaii’s distinctive terrain and animals.
How do I report a poaching violation in Hawaii?
To report a poaching violation in Hawaii, you can call the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources at (808) 587-0400.
Schedule Source: DLNR Hawaii
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