Turkey Hunting Regulations
Bag Limits and Tags
The daily bag limit will be three bearded turkeys per hunter, with a season bag limit of three. All hunters must have a current unused turkey tag in their possession while hunting. Tags are currently $5 per tag for residents and $20 per tag for nonresidents. Turkey tags are nontransferable. Traditional tags must be fastened with snaps, and printed tags must be placed in a sealable plastic bag and secured tightly around the neck or leg of any bird taken immediately after the kill. Tags may be purchased in person at the Hilo Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) office or online.
General Hunting Information
Game bird hunting opportunities are offered on the six major islands in the State of Hawai‘i: (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and the big island of Hawai‘i). Each of these islands has one or more State-designated public hunting areas (called Hunting Units), which are open for hunting at certain times during each year. Game mammal hunting opportunities are also available on private lands as well. Occasionally, the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) may modify or cancel a hunting season in a particular area to adjust for changes in weather conditions or animal populations. For more information, visit online.
Hunting License Requirements
All persons are required to have a valid Hawai‘i hunting license on their person to hunt or have a bagged game mammal in their possession. Resident hunting licenses cost $10.00 and non-resident licenses are $95.00. A license may be obtained via the internet, from any Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office (DOFAW) or from any registered hunting license vendor. A list of registered hunting license vendors is available at any DOFAW Office. A current-year, $10.00 Hawai‘i Wildlife Conservation Stamp is also required to hunt. The stamp must be endorsed across the front by the hunter and affixed to their hunting license in the space provided. All hunting license applicants must show proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course that is recognized by the National Hunter Education Association. The only exception to this requirement is if a person was born before January 1, 1972, and can show proof of having been issued a Hawai‘i hunting license before July 1, 1990. However, completion of a hunter education course is still recommended. A person is considered to be a resident of Hawai‘i if they have resided in the State of Hawai‘i for at least one year. Active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Hawaii are also considered to be residents for the purposes of obtaining a hunting license.
Requirements in Public Hunting Areas
Rules, based on hunter safety considerations and the environmental considerations, have been established in these areas. Any person who hunts, serves as a guide, or accompanies or assists a hunter on public hunting areas is required to wear an exterior blaze orange garment which may be a shirt, vest, coat, or jacket while they are engaged in those activities. The blaze orange material must be commercially manufactured and may be either solid or mesh with a maximum mesh size of one-eighth inch. The use of camouflage orange is prohibited. Blaze orange garments are not required on designated archery only public hunting areas.
Hunting Hours
Game mammals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset, year-round. It is illegal to hunt during the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise or to hunt utilizing any form of artificial light. Legal hunting hours on private land are the same as on public hunting areas.
Legal Hunting Animals and Weapons
Only shotguns, and bow and arrow may be used to hunt game birds. The use of BB or larger sized shot is prohibited except during the Spring Turkey Hunt. Firearms and ammunition brought into the State must be registered with the Chief of Police of the county of one’s residence, business or sojourn within 48 hours after their arrival. Contact the district police station on the appropriate island or an office of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement for further information. Minors (15 years of age and younger) who hunt using a firearm are must be accompanied by a licensed non-hunting adult.
Hunting on Private Land
Any person, who hunts game birds on private land, must possess a valid State of Hawai‘i hunting license and have the permission of the landowner. Game bird hunting is allowed on both public hunting units and private lands only during declared game bird hunting seasons and during legal hunting hours, which are established and regulated by the State. Game birds may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset during established game bird hunting seasons. It is illegal to hunt during the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise or to hunt utilizing any form of artificial light. Landowners may add any additional requirements they feel are necessary to supplement State Game Bird Hunting Rules on their land. For example, the wearing of blaze orange is not a requirement unless the landowner deems it to be one. (Game mammals, on the other hand, may be hunted year round on private lands if the hunter possesses a valid hunting license and has the landowner’s permission.)
Registering Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition brought into the State from outside must be registered within 48 hours after their arrival with the Chief of Police of the county of one’s residence, business, or sojourn. Contact the district police station on the appropriate island or an office of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. Minors (15 years of age and younger) who hunt using a firearm are required to obtain a permit from the county police department. Thank you for your interest in hunting in Hawai‘i. While you are hunting in our State, please be respectful of the landowners, the land, other people, and the plants and animals that make Hawai‘i unique. If we all do so, then generations to come will have the same opportunities and abundant resources that we enjoy today. We wish you a safe, fun and productive experience while hunting in Hawai‘i. Malama pono.
For More Information
Gamebird hunting information and rules
For more information, contact DOFAW at:
Hilo: 808-974-4221
Waimea: 808-887-6063
Main office (Oʻahu): 808-587-0166
