No whitetails here — Hawaii's game is invasive axis deer on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, plus a hidden pocket of black-tailed deer on Kauai.
Axis deer hunting in Hawaii looks nothing like mainland whitetail hunting: think open grasslands, dry kiawe scrub, and volcanic ridgelines on Lanai and Molokai, with warm, sunny weather nearly year-round and no true 'rut season' cold front to plan around — axis deer breed opportunistically throughout the year, so bucks in hard antler can be found in almost any month.
- Agency
- Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)
- Region
- Alaska
- Deer rank
- #50 of 50
- Species guides
- 2
01
Hawaii hunting license and tag costs
Deer license and tag prices as last reviewed. Other species' permits are listed in the agency fee schedule.
| License / tag | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident annual hunting license | approx. $16 |
| Nonresident annual hunting license | approx. $105 |
| Public hunting area permits | Often free or nominal cost; check-in required at trailheads/check stations for many hunts |
02
Hawaii hunting laws to know
Rules that catch hunters out most often. Not a substitute for the regulations book.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Sunday hunting | Public hunting areas are typically open specific days of the week (often Saturday/Sunday and state holidays) rather than every day — check the unit's posted schedule. |
| Blaze orange | Not universally mandated statewide, but many public hunting areas post their own safety and clothing requirements — check unit-specific rules before hunting. |
| Weapon restrictions | Legal weapons (bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle) are assigned by unit and season phase; centerfire rifles are commonly restricted to designated rifle hunts on larger islands like Molokai and Lanai. |
| Access permits | Many public hunting areas require hunters to sign in/out at a check station or register online before entering, both for safety and harvest tracking. |
| Interisland transport | Meat and antlers can generally be transported between islands, but hunters should confirm current agricultural inspection rules for interisland travel with harvested game. |
| Hunter education | A hunter education course is required for first-time license buyers, with limited exemptions for those who can show prior license history. |
03
Hawaii deer season structure (2025-26)
Hawaii's deer seasons are set annually by island and hunting unit and can include emergency or extended axis deer control hunts; always check DOFAW's current game mammal hunting schedule for the exact unit and island you plan to hunt.
| Season | Weapon | Typical window |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (axis deer) | Bow | Extended seasons on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai; dates vary by public hunting unit |
| Muzzleloader (axis deer) | Muzzleloader | Set periods on select units, mainly Molokai and Lanai |
| Rifle/shotgun public hunts (axis deer) | Rifle / shotgun | Scheduled weekend hunts on designated public hunting areas, especially Lanai |
| Kauai black-tailed deer season | Bow / muzzleloader / rifle depending on unit | Short, conservative season centered on the Kokee/Waimea Canyon public hunting area |
What you can hunt in Hawaii
- Deer — Axis deer, Kauai black-tailed deer (Columbian black-tailed subspecies)
Limited · ranked #50 of 50 for deer.
- Wild Hog
Established populations with a formal tag system
Access: California requires a wild pig tag per animal; Hawaii has island-specific rules
Public hunting land in Hawaii
Hawaii's deer hunting is organized around a handful of DOFAW public hunting areas plus Lanai's managed private-land program, spread across three main islands for axis deer and one limited unit on Kauai.
Lanai (Pulama Lanai hunting program + DOFAW public areas)
Mixed private/public · Lanai
The best-known axis deer destination in the state, with high deer density, managed private-land access, and public hunting areas covering much of the island's dry forest and grassland.
Official pageMolokai public hunting areas
State public hunting area · Molokai
Axis deer roam much of Molokai's central and western lowlands; DOFAW runs archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons across several public units.
Official pageMaui public hunting areas (Kahikinui, Kanaio)
State public hunting area · Southeast Maui
Dry leeward-side units on Maui's southern flank hold huntable axis deer populations alongside feral goats and pigs.
Official pageKokee/Waimea Canyon area
State forest reserve / public hunting area · Kauai
The only place in Hawaii to hunt Columbian black-tailed deer, in cool, misty, forested terrain around Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon.
Official page
Official Hawaii links
- Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)
- Current regulations
- Buy hunting & fishing licenses
Last reviewed 2026-09.
Nearby state hunting guides
Questions
Frequently asked
- Where do I buy a Hawaii hunting license?
- Hawaii hunting licenses and tags are sold by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) through its official licensing site. Buy direct from the agency rather than a reseller, and complete hunter education first if your birth year requires it.
- When is Hawaii hunting season?
- Seasons differ by species, weapon and zone, and the Hawaii season dates change every year. Our Hawaii deer guide summarizes the 2025-26 deer season structure; for every other species, check the current Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) regulations before you plan a hunt.
- What can you hunt in Hawaii?
- Besides axis deer, kauai black-tailed deer (columbian black-tailed subspecies), our species guides single out Hawaii for wild hog. Each species guide explains tags, seasons and tactics.
- Where is public hunting land in Hawaii?
- Good starting points include Lanai (Pulama Lanai hunting program + DOFAW public areas), Molokai public hunting areas, Maui public hunting areas (Kahikinui, Kanaio). Confirm access rules, closures and special regulations with the managing agency before you go.
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