Bow Hunting Laws in Hawaii: Season Dates, Equipment Rules, and What You Need to Know
July 7, 2026
Bow hunting in Hawaii is unlike anything you’ll find on the mainland. Instead of a single statewide season, regulations are structured island by island, with hunting units, lottery systems, and weapon-specific windows that vary significantly depending on where and what you plan to hunt.
Whether you’re a resident planning a pig hunt on the Big Island or a non-resident visiting Maui for axis deer, understanding Hawaii’s bow hunting laws is essential before you set foot in any public hunting area. This guide walks you through the key rules — from season dates and legal equipment to license fees, education requirements, and land restrictions — all based on regulations from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
Pro Tip: Hawaii’s DLNR can modify or cancel hunting seasons at any time due to weather or population changes. Always verify current season dates with your local DOFAW office before your hunt.
Bow Hunting Season Dates in Hawaii
Hawaii hunting regulations are managed island by island rather than statewide, meaning each island has unique species, season structures, access areas, and applicable rules. For bow hunters, this means your season calendar depends entirely on which island you’re hunting and which species you’re targeting.
Many game animals like feral pigs and goats can be hunted year-round, while specific seasons apply for deer and birds. On Kauai, deer hunting follows a structured unit system. Archery season in Units F, J, K, and L runs July 1 through December 31 — six solid months of bow hunting.
For Maui’s axis deer, archery season runs July 15–26 — almost two weeks of dedicated bow hunting. Mouflon sheep on Lanai follow a lottery-based schedule, with special lottery hunts for mouflon ewes and non-typical rams assigned by lottery results, with a game tag fee of $20 for residents and $125 for non-residents.
Game mammals may be hunted year-round on private land. On public lands, game mammals and game birds can be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset, with the same hours applying to private lands.
Important Note: Hawaii announces open season dates for different islands through periodic DLNR announcements. Hawaii typically announces open season dates for the different islands via announcements throughout the year, so consistently checking the DLNR website for updates is recommended.
For more context on how Hawaii’s broader hunting framework compares to other states, see our guide on hunting laws in Hawaii.
Legal Bow Types and Equipment Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii’s administrative rules under Title 13, Chapter 123 set clear minimum draw weight requirements for every bow type used in game mammal hunting. Meeting these thresholds is not optional — using an underpowered bow is a game law violation.
When hunting with a bow, the following drawing tension requirements apply: longbows 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.
Arrow rules are equally specific. No person shall possess any arrows equipped with explosive heads or heads containing drugs or poison. Only arrows having a minimum blade cutting diameter width of three-quarters of an inch are permitted.
While hunting, you are limited to carrying only one legal archery device that is consistent with the game you are hunting. However, if you are assisting another hunter, you may carry that hunter’s unloaded archery device.
One important safety rule to keep in mind: archery equipment is considered loaded if an arrow is nocked on the bow string. Carrying loaded archery equipment in restricted areas or outside legal hunting hours is prohibited. Using any form of artificial light while hunting is also illegal.
| Bow Type | Minimum Draw Weight | Draw Length Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Longbow | 40 lbs | At 28-inch draw |
| Recurve Bow | 35 lbs | Not specified |
| Compound Bow | 30 lbs | Not specified |
For a comparison of how these equipment standards differ in other states, check out our articles on bow hunting laws in Tennessee and bow hunting laws in South Carolina.
Crossbow Rules in Hawaii
Hawaii takes a strict stance on crossbow use that sets it apart from most other states. You may not possess or use crossbows. Only disabled hunters with a valid permit may use them.
A crossbow is defined as a device that consists of a bow or a curved latex material (also known as a linear bow) with a stock that uses any device attached directly or indirectly to the bow to help keep a crossbow bolt, an arrow, or the string in a firing position. Any device matching this description falls under the crossbow prohibition for general hunters.
If you have a qualifying disability, crossbows require a permit — you cannot simply bring one into a public hunting area without the proper documentation. Contact your local DOFAW office well in advance to apply for a disabled hunter crossbow permit before your planned hunt date.
Important Note: Possessing a crossbow in a public hunting area without a valid disabled hunter permit is a game law violation that can result in loss of hunting privileges. Leave your crossbow at home unless you have the permit in hand.
Species You Can Hunt with a Bow in Hawaii
Hawaii’s hunting scene is one of the most exotic in the United States — hunters pursue axis deer, wild boar, mouflon sheep, and colorful game birds across volcanic landscapes, tropical rainforests, and windswept alpine shrublands. The state’s non-native game species arrived centuries ago via Polynesian voyagers and later European settlers, and today they form a huntable population managed by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife across each island’s Public Hunting Areas.
Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are the most accessible target for bow hunters. Wild pig hunting is available year-round on all major Hawaiian islands and is the most popular hunting activity in the state. Feral pigs are invasive and destructive to native forest ecosystems, so DLNR encourages harvest. They can be hunted legally with a handgun, bow, long gun, or knife, and are present on Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai.
Axis deer (Axis axis) offer some of the most sought-after bow hunting in the Pacific. Axis deer may be found on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, though Molokai and Lanai give permits through a lottery drawing. On Maui’s public game management areas, axis deer can be hunted year-round in many units with standard licensing.
Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) are found on Kauai. Black-tail deer can be found on Kauai and are permitted through a lottery drawing. The bag limit is one deer per season, with a lottery required for most units.
Wild goats are another bow-legal species. Wild goat are less popular than deer and wild pigs, but hunting opportunities exist on Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. Goats are an invasive species introduced by Captains Cook and Vancouver in 1778, and often live in semi-barren lava fields or mountain slopes. Kauai also offers goat archery permits.
Mouflon sheep can be pursued with a bow on both the Big Island and Lanai. Hawaii Island’s Puuanahulu and Puuwaawaa areas offer excellent sheep hunting with both archery and muzzleloader options. A Hawaii hunting license, Wildlife Conservation Stamp, and mouflon tag are required, and a lottery application is required for Lanai public land hunting.
For game birds, when hunting game birds, only shotguns, bows, and arrows are allowed. This makes archery a fully legal and practical method for pursuing Hawaii’s pheasant, francolin, and turkey populations.
You can read more about turkey opportunities specifically in our article on turkey hunting season in Hawaii.
License and Tag Requirements for Bow Hunters in Hawaii
All persons must have a valid Hawaii hunting license on their person to hunt or have a bagged game mammal in their possession. Hawaii runs a license-plus-stamp system that requires more than just the base license for most hunts.
As of the 2025–2026 hunting season per the Hawaii DLNR, resident hunting licenses cost $10.00, and non-resident licenses are $95.00. A current-year $10.00 Hawaii Wildlife Conservation Stamp is also required to hunt. The hunter must endorse the stamp across the front and affix it to their hunting license in the space provided.
A Game Bird Stamp is $10 additional for all bird hunting. Youth under 15 and residents 65 and older hunt free. Active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Hawaii are also considered residents for the purpose of obtaining a hunting license.
For species that require tags — such as deer and mouflon sheep on Lanai — you must also secure the appropriate permit or lottery tag before hunting. Lanai’s axis deer require a lottery permit ($20 resident / $125 non-resident, plus a $10 non-refundable application fee) with hunts offered February through May.
Effective June 15 of each year, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) begins issuing hunting licenses and stamps for the new hunting season, with issuance running through June 30 of the following year. Hunters can purchase their licenses and stamps online using a credit card, or visit any DOFAW branch office or authorized hunting license vendor.
| License / Stamp Type | Resident Fee | Non-Resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | $10.00 | $95.00 |
| Wildlife Conservation Stamp | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Game Bird Stamp | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Axis Deer Tag (Lanai, Lottery) | $20.00 | $125.00 |
| Mouflon Sheep Tag (Lottery) | $20.00 | $125.00 |
For broader context on how Hawaii’s hunting license structure compares to neighboring states, see our guides on hunting laws in Arkansas and hunting laws in Kansas.
Bowhunter Education Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii requires hunter education certification before you can purchase a hunting license — and there is a separate, optional bowhunter education course available for those who want to specialize in archery hunting.
All hunting license applicants must show proof of having completed a hunter education course recognized by the National Hunter Education Association. The only exception is if a person was born before January 1, 1972, and can show proof of having been issued a Hawaii hunting license before July 1, 1990.
According to Hawaii law, all hunters born after December 31, 1971, or those born before January 1, 1972 who have never held a previous Hawaii hunting license, must complete hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license. All U.S. states, provinces, and countries with mandatory hunter education requirements will accept the Hawaii Hunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Hawaii accepts hunter education certifications issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements — known as “reciprocity.”
Non-residents with an out-of-state hunter education card need to go through an additional step. Non-residents need to get their home state certificate approved through Hawaii’s Letter of Exemption process, which takes about two weeks — so don’t wait until the last minute.
For bowhunters specifically, additional education is available for bowhunters who already have Hawaii Hunter Education Certification. This bowhunter education course is recommended for all Hawaii residents 10 years of age and older who want to hunt safely with a bow, with a resident and military fee of $24.95. The prerequisite is already holding Hawaii Hunter Education Certification.
Non-residents who already have Hawaii Hunter Education Certification or a Letter of Exemption for their out-of-state card can also take the bowhunter education course. It is recommended for all non-residents 10 years of age and older who want to hunt safely with a bow.
You can register for both courses through the DLNR’s official hunting certification portal.
Land and Safety Restrictions for Bow Hunting in Hawaii
Hawaii’s public hunting areas span forest reserves, game management areas, and designated hunting units across six islands. Knowing where you can and cannot hunt — and what safety gear is required — is just as important as knowing your season dates.
National parks are off-limits. State parks are also closed to hunting. But state forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries may open sections for hunting. Private land requires written permission. Hunters must possess a valid State of Hawaii hunting license and have the landowner’s permission. Hunting fees, permitted weapons, and other requirements for hunting game mammals on private land are established by the landowner.
Blaze orange is mandatory in many mixed-use hunting areas. No person shall hunt, serve as a guide, accompany, or assist a hunter in any hunting area where firearms are permitted without wearing an exterior garment made of commercially manufactured, solid blaze-orange material or solid blaze-orange mesh material with a maximum mesh size of one-eighth inch. All types of camouflage orange are prohibited for these garments. The wearing of blaze orange is not a requirement on private lands unless the landowner deems it to be one.
You may not possess firearm or archery equipment in any public hunting area during a closed season or on non-hunting days. You may not possess a loaded firearm or archery device once you have met the bag limit. Remember that a nocked arrow counts as loaded equipment under Hawaii law.
Check-in and check-out are mandatory at public hunting areas. Electronic check-in and check-out is required at many public hunting areas through the OuterSpatial app, available for both iOS and Android. Hunters must check in before hunting and check out upon completion. This system replaced paper log books and provides DLNR with real-time data on hunting pressure and access.
Most public land hunting focuses on archery and muzzleloader methods to ensure safety in Hawaii’s often dense terrain. This makes bow hunting particularly well-suited to many of Hawaii’s forested hunting units, where rifle ranges would present safety concerns.
Pro Tip: Before hunting any public land unit, contact your local DOFAW office directly. They will provide the most current information on hunting seasons, areas, and local conditions.
For additional reading on Hawaii-specific wildlife and land-use laws, explore our articles on roadkill laws in Hawaii and backyard chicken laws in Hawaii. If you’re curious how bow hunting regulations compare across other states, our guides on hunting laws in Ohio, hunting laws in Virginia, and hunting laws in Montana offer useful comparisons. You can also review the official rules directly through the Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the 2026 Hawaii hunting season guide at Hunting Locator for current season summaries.