Hawaiʻi hunting season does not work like many mainland seasons. Instead of one simple statewide opener, hunters deal with island-by-island calendars, unit-specific rules, lottery hunts, and separate tag systems. For 2026-2027, the earliest posted mammal seasons include spring Lānaʻi axis deer, spring turkey on Hawaiʻi Island, summer goat and fall deer seasons on Kauaʻi, plus special sheep, goat, and pig opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island. The main game species are axis deer, black-tailed deer, feral pig, feral goat, mouflon sheep, feral sheep, and several upland birds.
Knowing the right dates matters in Hawaiʻi because access, weapon choice, bag limits, and even legal hunting days can change by unit. A valid hunting license is required on both public and private land, and most hunters also need a Wildlife Conservation Stamp. Game bird hunters need a Game Bird Stamp too. Before any trip, double-check the official Hawaiʻi DLNR hunting portal and Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi licensing page because DLNR can modify or cancel hunts when conditions, access, or wildlife numbers change.
✔ Hunting season dates
✔ Bag limits
✔ Legal hunting hours
✔ Required licenses
✔ Weapon restrictions
✔ Blaze orange rules
✔ Public land rules
✔ Hunter education requirements
Quick Overview Table
Knowing the hunting periods for each species is important. Deer’s archery period generally falls between September and October. But, the wild boar season might go on till winter. Every island, including Hawaii, Kauai, and Lanai, has its unique set of rules and application timelines. Being updated is key. Permits are usually necessary, and their cost could vary for locals and visitors. Be familiar with these aspects for a better experience and to adhere to state rules.
| Species | Season | Weapon | Best Months | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis deer (Lānaʻi) | Feb. 4-May 31, 2026 by hunt type | Archery, muzzleloader, rifle | Feb.-May | Yes |
| Black-tailed deer (Kauaʻi) | June-Dec. 2026 depending on unit/hunt | Archery, muzzleloader, rifle | Sept.-Oct. | Yes |
| Feral goat | Year-round or seasonal by island/unit | Archery, muzzleloader, rifle | May-Aug. on Kauaʻi; year-round in some areas | Often yes |
| Feral pig | Year-round on many lands; seasonal in some unit hunts | Archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader | Varies by island | Sometimes |
| Mouflon / feral sheep | Unit-specific and often lottery-based | Archery, muzzleloader, rifle | Aug.-Oct. or posted special hunts | Usually yes |
| Turkey (Hawaiʻi Island) | Mar. 1-Apr. 15, 2026 | Shotgun, legal archery where allowed, area rules apply | March-April | Yes |
| Upland birds | Fall/winter framework; 2026-2027 statewide posting still pending as of Aug. 2026 | Shotgun, legal archery in archery-only areas | Nov.-Jan. | Yes |
2026–2027 Lānaʻi Axis Deer Dates
For the 2026 Lānaʻi Axis Deer Hunt—held during Hawaiʻi’s 2025–26 hunting-license year—applications were accepted during these dates:
- Applications opened: Monday, October 13, 2025.
- Application deadline: 4:00 p.m. HST, Friday, November 14, 2025.
- Application fee: $10 per applicant.
The 2026 hunt dates were:
| Hunt | Dates |
|---|---|
| Archery draws | February 4–8, February 11–15, February 18–22, and February 25–March 1, 2026 |
| Youth hunt | March 6–8, 2026 |
| Muzzleloader hunt | March 13–15, 2026 |
| General rifle hunt | March 20–May 31, 2026 |
As of August 6, 2026, the application period for this 2026 season has closed.
Complete Hunting Dates for Hawaii Hunting Season 2026-2027
Big Game
- Axis deer
- Archery: Lānaʻi draw hunts run Feb. 4-8, Feb. 11-15, Feb. 18-22, and Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 2026.
- Youth: Lānaʻi youth hunt runs Mar. 6-8, 2026.
- Muzzleloader: Lānaʻi muzzleloader hunt runs Mar. 13-15, 2026.
- Firearm: Lānaʻi general rifle runs 11 consecutive weekends from Mar. 20-May 31, 2026.
- Zone variations: Lānaʻi archery opens Units 1, 2, and 3; youth, muzzleloader, and general rifle open Units 1 and 2.
- Notes: Bag limit is one either-sex axis deer per hunt drawn, with possible extra doe tags if offered.
- Black-tailed deer
- Archery: Kauaʻi Unit F is open daily Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026. Units J and K are open Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026 on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays.
- Muzzleloader: Kauaʻi Units A and B run Sept. 5-6, 2026.
- Firearm: Kauaʻi Unit A rifle season runs Sept. 12-Oct. 25, 2026 on seven consecutive weekends. Unit B runs Sept. 11-Oct. 26, 2026 on Fridays through Mondays.
- Special permit season: Annual permits are also listed for Units E1, E2, and H.
- Notes: Unit L is closed until further notice.
- Feral pig
- Hawaiʻi allows pig hunting on all six major islands, but seasons vary by island and unit.
- Pigs remain open during some goat and deer hunts, but not all. For example, pig hunting stays open in Kauaʻi Unit B during deer seasons, while Unit A deer hunts close pig hunting.
- On Hawaiʻi Island special muzzleloader hunts in Puʻu Waʻawaʻa and Puʻu Anahulu allow up to two pigs per hunter per day.
- Feral goat
- Kauaʻi archery: Units F and K run July-Aug. 2026 daily; Unit A archery runs June 6-7, 2026 only.
- Kauaʻi youth/senior/disabled muzzleloader: Unit A runs June 13-14, 2026.
- Kauaʻi muzzleloader: Unit A runs June 21-Aug. 31, 2026 on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Kauaʻi regular rifle: Unit B runs May 1-Aug. 31, 2026 on Fridays through Mondays.
- Hawaiʻi Island: Puʻu Waʻawaʻa / Puʻu Anahulu makai muzzleloader hunts run from the first Friday of September through the last Sunday of October 2026 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays.
- Mouflon / feral sheep / hybrid sheep
- Hawaiʻi Island and Lānaʻi offer sheep opportunities, often through lottery or special postings.
- Puʻu Waʻawaʻa youth and disabled hunt on Hawaiʻi Island is open on weekends and state holidays during August 2026.
- As of early August 2026, DLNR had posted a 2026 Lānaʻi mouflon public listing, but hunters should verify exact hunt dates directly with the island office before planning travel.
- Elk, moose, bear, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bison, javelina
- No Hawaiʻi hunting seasons apply.
Turkey
- Spring: Hawaiʻi Island spring bearded turkey season runs Mar. 1-Apr. 15, 2026.
- Archery-only area: Unit E, Kīpuka ʻĀinahou Nēnē Sanctuary, is open Mar. 1-31, 2026.
- Youth: No separate statewide turkey youth season was posted in the materials reviewed.
- Special seasons: Open areas include Units A, C, F, and G on Hawaiʻi Island, with special conditions by unit.
- Note: Only bearded turkeys are legal during this spring season.
Small Game
Hawaiʻi’s current DLNR hunting materials reviewed for 2026 do not list statewide rabbit, squirrel, hare, jackrabbit, prairie dog, or groundhog seasons. If a landowner offers private-land pest control, verify that separately before hunting.
Upland Birds
As of Aug. 2026, DLNR had not yet posted the statewide 2026-2027 fall game bird announcement reviewed for this guide. The most recent statewide framework posted by DLNR covered Nov. 1, 2025-Jan. 25, 2026, with mourning dove closing earlier on Jan. 11, 2026. Hawaiʻi game bird seasons commonly cover pheasant, francolin, chukar, quail, dove, and peafowl on island-specific schedules. Expect final 2026-2027 dates to be announced closer to fall.
Waterfowl
No open statewide duck, goose, brant, scaup, teal, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, or woodcock season was identified in the Hawaiʻi DLNR hunting materials reviewed for this article.
Furbearers
No beaver, bobcat, fox, raccoon, mink, otter, muskrat, badger, or weasel seasons apply in Hawaiʻi.
Predators
No coyote, wolf, mountain lion, or fox season applies in Hawaiʻi.
Special Opportunities
- Lānaʻi youth axis deer hunt
- Puʻu Waʻawaʻa youth and disabled sheep hunt
- Kauaʻi youth, senior citizen, and disabled muzzleloader goat hunt
- Disabled hunter vehicle-use and crossbow permits are available through DLNR
Hunting License Fees
| License Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting license | $10 | $95 | Required on public and private land |
| Wildlife Conservation Stamp | $10 | $10 | Required for game mammal hunting |
| Game Bird Stamp | $10 | $10 | Required for game bird hunting |
| Turkey tag | $5 | $20 | Required per tag |
| Lānaʻi axis deer tag | $20 | $125 | Youth tag waived for youth hunt |
| Lānaʻi axis deer application | $10 | $10 | Per application |
| Kauaʻi deer archery / muzzleloader tag | $5 | $25 | Unit-specific |
| Kauaʻi deer rifle lottery + tag | $15 | $30 | Includes application processing |
| Kauaʻi annual permit (E1/E2/H) | $10 | $25 | Annual access permit |
| Kauaʻi goat archery / muzzleloader tag | $5 | $25 | Unit-specific |
| Kauaʻi goat rifle permit-tag | $15 | $30 | Unit B / lottery-based |
| Ram or non-typical ram tag | $10 | $25 | Used in posted Hawaiʻi Island sheep hunts |
| Youth / senior / disabled annual license | Not separately listed | Not separately listed | Use regular resident/nonresident license unless DLNR posts an exception |
| Lifetime / sportsman / apprentice / short-term | Not listed | Not listed | Hawaiʻi pages reviewed did not show these as standard offerings |
Important Hunting Regulations
- Carry a valid Hawaiʻi hunting license while hunting.
- A Wildlife Conservation Stamp is required for game mammals.
- A Game Bird Stamp is required for game birds.
- Private-land hunters still need a state hunting license.
- Game mammals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- Game birds may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset during open seasons.
- Night hunting is illegal in the state materials reviewed.
- Hunting with artificial light is illegal.
- Blaze orange is required for hunters, guides, and assistants in public hunting areas.
- Camouflage orange is prohibited.
- Blaze orange is not required in designated archery-only public hunting areas.
- Resident and nonresident hunters must show hunter education proof or a letter of exemption to buy a license.
- Firearms brought into Hawaiʻi must be registered with county police within 48 hours of arrival.
- Hunters age 15 and younger using firearms need a police permit.
- Hunters age 15 and younger using firearms must be accompanied by a licensed non-hunting adult.
- Game mammals on private land require landowner permission.
- Some hunts require lottery selection, tags, or special permits.
- Tags are generally nontransferable and nonrefundable.
- Game must be tagged immediately after harvest when tags apply.
- Check-in and check-out rules apply in many public hunting areas.
- Some units allow online tag purchases, but field procedures may still require station check-in.
- Dogs are prohibited in some archery and muzzleloader deer hunts on Kauaʻi.
- Dogs are allowed in some Kauaʻi Unit B rifle deer hunts.
- Legal game mammal weapons vary depending on whether dogs are used.
- Bow minimums for mammal hunting include 40-pound longbows, 35-pound recurves, and 30-pound compounds.
- Breech loaders are not legal during muzzleloader-only hunts.
- Sunday hunting is allowed where the posted unit schedule includes Sundays.
- DLNR can modify or cancel hunts for weather, access, or population concerns.
- Disabled hunters may apply for special vehicle-use and crossbow permits.
- Some road, gate, and area closures can change access with little notice.
- No open Hawaiʻi waterfowl season was identified in the materials reviewed.
- If a rule is not clearly posted for your island or unit, verify it with the local DOFAW office before hunting.
Best Hunting Places in Hawaii
Best Deer Hunting Areas
- Lānaʻi Cooperative GMA
Dry ranchland and open country. Best known for axis deer. Hunters like it for structured draw hunts and strong island reputation. Public access is controlled through tags and check stations. Terrain ranges from rolling to exposed. Difficulty: moderate. - Kauaʻi Units A, B, F, J, and K
Rugged canyon and ridge habitat with black-tailed deer. Hunters like the mix of archery, muzzleloader, and rifle options. Public access depends on unit, season, and check station. Difficulty: moderate to hard.
Best Turkey Hunting Areas
- Hawaiʻi Island Units A, C, F, and G
Forest reserve and upland habitat. Spring bearded turkey is the draw here. Some units have extra access notes and cattle closures. Public, but closely regulated. Difficulty: moderate.
Best Waterfowl Hunting Areas
- Hawaiʻi’s current official materials reviewed did not identify a statewide open waterfowl season, so there is no reliable public recommendation for duck or goose hunting in 2026-2027.
Best Small Game Areas
- Kauaʻi and Oʻahu bird units
Good for dove, pheasant, francolin, and quail when seasons are announced. Access is public but highly unit-specific. Terrain varies from fields to brushy ridges. Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Best Public Hunting Lands
- Puʻu Waʻawaʻa and Puʻu Anahulu, Hawaiʻi Island
Great for goat, pig, and sheep opportunities. Hunters like the special hunts and open-country glassing. Public access with check stations. Difficulty: moderate.
Best Wildlife Management Areas
- Kuaokalā GMA, Oʻahu
- Kahakuloa GMA, Maui
- Kapāpala GMA, Hawaiʻi Island
- Wailua and Kekaha GMAs, Kauaʻi
If you also compare western season structures, our California hunting season guide offers a useful contrast.
Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring bearded turkey | 3 | Season limit 3 | Bearded birds only |
| Lānaʻi axis deer | Hunt-based | 1 per hunt drawn | Extra doe tags may be offered |
| Kauaʻi black-tailed deer, Unit A | Not posted as daily | 1 per license year | Antlered buck, fork-horn or better |
| Kauaʻi black-tailed deer, Unit B | Not posted as daily | 1 per license year | Deer of either sex |
| Puʻu Waʻawaʻa / Puʻu Anahulu pig | 2 | No season limit listed | Per hunter per day in special muzzleloader hunts |
| Puʻu Waʻawaʻa / Puʻu Anahulu goat | 2 | No season limit listed | Per hunter per day in special muzzleloader hunts |
| Non-typical ram | 1 | Season limit 1 | In posted Hawaiʻi Island special hunts |
| PWW youth/disabled sheep hunt | Hunt-specific | 3 non-typical rams + 1 typical ram | Hunt bag limit |
Legal Hunting Hours
General legal hunting hours in Hawaiʻi run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. That same rule applies to game mammals on public and private land. Turkey hunting follows those same daylight-only hours during the posted spring season. Game birds also follow the sunrise-to-sunset framework during established seasons. Night hunting is not allowed in the official materials reviewed, and hunters may not use artificial light. Always check the hunt announcement for check-station times, because legal hunting hours and check-in windows are not the same thing.
Hunter Education Requirements
To buy a Hawaiʻi hunting license, you must have either a Hawaiʻi Hunter Education Wallet Card or a Letter of Exemption. Hawaiʻi accepts hunters who completed approved out-of-state education, but they still need the exemption paperwork processed before buying a license. The basic course includes 12 hours of instruction, usually over two or three days, and ends with a written exam. Students need at least 75% to pass. You can take the class alone at age 16, or at age 10 with an adult chaperone. Hawaiʻi’s official pages reviewed did not list a standard apprentice hunting license, so new hunters should plan on meeting the education requirement before the trip.
Public vs Private Land Hunting
On private land, you need both a Hawaiʻi hunting license and the landowner’s permission. On public land, Hawaiʻi mainly uses public hunting areas, forest reserves, and Game Management Areas rather than a mainland-style national forest system. Wildlife Management Areas in the mainland sense are closest to Hawaiʻi’s GMAs, such as Kuaokalā, Kahakuloa, Kapāpala, and Puʻu Anahulu. Access rules can include safety zones, sign-in stations, gate restrictions, unit closures, and lottery tags. The official state pages reviewed did not identify a general statewide walk-in program or a broad National Wildlife Refuge hunting system for Hawaiʻi hunters, so treat access as unit-specific and verify it before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hunting season start in Hawaii?
Some 2026 hunts started as early as February on Lānaʻi, while others start later by island and species.
Do I need a hunting license in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaiʻi requires a hunting license on both public and private land.
Can nonresidents hunt in Hawaii?
Yes, but nonresidents pay higher fees and still need hunter education proof or a Hawaiʻi exemption letter.
Do I need a Wildlife Conservation Stamp?
Yes, for game mammal hunting.
Do I need a Game Bird Stamp?
Yes, for game bird hunting.
Can I hunt on Sundays in Hawaii?
Yes, if the unit’s posted schedule includes Sundays.
Is there a statewide deer season?
Not one simple statewide season. Deer seasons are island- and unit-specific.
Can I use a crossbow in Hawaii?
Disabled hunters can apply for a special crossbow permit. Verify all other use cases with DLNR.
Are blaze orange clothes required?
Yes, in public hunting areas, except designated archery-only public hunting areas.
Can I hunt at night?
No. Hawaiʻi hunting hours are daylight only.
Do I need hunter education?
Yes, unless you qualify for and receive a letter of exemption.
Can I hunt on public land?
Yes, but access depends on the island, unit, and posted hunt conditions.
Is there a Hawaii turkey season?
Yes. Hawaiʻi Island has a spring bearded turkey season.
Is there a Hawaii duck season?
No open statewide waterfowl season was identified in the official materials reviewed.
Final Thoughts
Hawaiʻi hunting can be excellent, but it rewards hunters who plan ahead. The state offers real opportunity for axis deer, black-tailed deer, pigs, goats, sheep, and upland birds, yet the rules are much more local than many hunters expect. One unit may be open daily, another only on weekends, and another only by lottery.
The smart move is simple: hunt responsibly, tag game correctly, respect access rules, wear the right safety gear, and confirm your exact island, unit, and hunt dates before leaving home. Hawaiʻi’s landscapes are special, and careful, legal hunting helps support safety, conservation, and long-term access. Before any 2026-2027 trip, verify the latest update with Hawaiʻi DLNR for the specific island and species you plan to hunt.
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