By Brent Miller, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Unlike nearly all other states, the tropical paradise of Hawaii contains a heightened level of bureaucracy for non-resident firearm hunters. The additional hoops you must jump through to legally bring a firearm to the islands is perhaps a reason why you don’t see more non-resident participation in what should be a “bucket list” destination for all American hunters.

Spread among the islands of Hawaii are a wide variety of opportunities to target free-ranging populations of species that you would typically have to travel internationally for. Included among these species (depending on which island you are on) are axis deer (Chital deer), wild boar, feral goats, both mouflon sheep and feral sheep, blackbuck antelope, turkeys, and a wide array of upland bird species. The hunts are highly successful and relatively low-cost compared to big game hunts on the mainland. Despite that, non-resident participation only drives 25 percent of Hawaii’s hunting license revenue – less than half of what most western states enjoy. Hawaii’s firearm laws are one variable we can surmise is contributing to this lower participation rate, likely stifling state-based wildlife conservation and management practices supported by hunters.

Burdensome and confusing firearm permitting and registration requirements can create both uncertainty and a chilling effect on the purchases made by law-abiding firearm owners. Hawaii’s current firearm laws also likely contribute to Aloha State’s relatively low non-resident hunting participation rate. Currently, Hawaii’s non-resident hunting license revenue sits at roughly 25%. Conversely, in states like Montana, non-residents represented about 75% of all hunting license revenue, and many other western states also see more than 50% of their license revenue coming from non-resident hunters. While many variables may contribute to this, such as ease of travel, overall cost (i.e., having to bring the whole family with you for a coveted Hawaiian vacation), etc., the additional hurdles you must jump through to hunt in Hawaii are a variable that warrants consideration as well. Hunters who plan on traveling to Hawaii must have a solid understanding of the nuances of bringing a firearm into the state for hunting. Given the challenges already related to air travel and firearms, these laws only exacerbate the issue by creating a more significant barrier to entry than you would face if you were traveling to nearly any other state (the notable exception being Massachusetts after they passed a sweeping gun control bill last year).

A non-resident may travel to Hawaii with a firearm if they already possess a valid hunting license. Upon arrival at the islands, the hunter will need to register their firearm through the local police department within 72 hours. Fingerprinting and photographs are required for permitting, and each firearm must be permitted individually. Also, many commonly used firearms and firearm accessories (such as suppressors) are prohibited in Hawaii. And, with the rise in popularity of suppressors over the last decade, many hunters won’t hunt without them, so that barrier alone could be turning some would-be non-resident hunters away.

Adding to this complicated process is legislation passed during the 2023 legislative session, SB1230 (Act 52). Effective January 1, 2024, all individuals applying for a long gun permit must prove they have completed a hunter’s education or other training course within the last four years. Traditionally, hunter’s education courses are taken at the beginning of the individual’s hunting journey, and the class is not retaken. Under this new revision, those hunting for decades must retake their hunter’s education course before traveling to Hawaii for a hunting opportunity. This new hunter’s education requirement may prove to drive the already low non-resident participation rate even lower in the future.

The comparatively lower rate of non-resident hunting versus other western states means less financial support for the conservation efforts of Hawaii’s well-trained biologists through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). Increasing non-resident hunting would also be a beneficial tool for managing axis deer's well-documented overpopulation while providing improved funding for the wildlife resource fund maintained by the Hawaii Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR). Unfortunately, legislation aimed at public safety, such as firearms permits and registration required by Chapter 134 of the Hawaii Revised Statues, can create confusion and hesitation among hunters who would otherwise be eager to take advantage of Hawaii's fantastic hunting opportunities.

As a real-world example, we can look at the proliferation of axis deer in Hawaii. Axis deer, introduced to Maui County in the late 1950s, have no known predators on the islands besides man, which allows for rapid population growth. When Governor Green issued a sixth emergency relief proclamation in 2023, the axis deer population had reached 60,000 in Maui County. On August 30, 2024, the sixteenth proclamation relating to axis deer was issued as persistent drought has amplified the habitat damage caused by overpopulation. Current axis deer numbers are unsustainable for the habitat available, leading to significant impacts on other species and increasing the potential for disease outbreaks. The most recent emergency proclamation instituted loan programs through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and enabled the state to take additional steps for management, including culling and corralling deer. The State also began offering landowners a bounty of $50 per deer harvested. Funding for this effort is provided through the existing wildlife revolving funds, federal grants, state agency support, and state emergency funds. In other words, Hawaii taxpayers are, in part, footing the bill for management practices that non-resident hunters would otherwise pay the state for the opportunity to perform.

It is unfortunate that the existing laws in Hawaii may be turning off some non-resident hunters from giving a destination hunt to Hawaii deeper consideration. As someone who has personally traveled to Hawaii to hunt axis deer, feral goats, and mouflon sheep, I can attest to how special and unique the experience is. It is something that I urge all hunters to consider for a future destination hunt, and if the opportunity presents itself, don’t let it pass you by (even if it means doing some horse trading with your spouse to slip afield for a day or two during a family vacation). The laws in place may appear foreign to many of us on the mainland (and having to shoot unsuppressed is highly unattractive!). Still, once those hurdles are crossed, the game is abundant, the opportunities are plentiful, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Brent A. Miller
Vice President, Policy
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Web http://www.congressionalsportsmen.org
Email bmiller@congressionalsportsmen.org