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Hawaii Hunting Laws

Hawaii requires a rifle producing at least 1,200 ft-lb of muzzle energy for dog-less game-mammal hunting — one of only two hard energy-threshold states in the country — and bans suppressor ownership outright.

Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.

At a glance

Wildlife agency
Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife
Regulations year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified rules on file
10
Rules pending review
1
Zones with special rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife →

Check a cartridge in Hawaii

Results update as you choose. Checks state + federal rules on file — not legal advice; always confirm in the current regulations.

Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.

Sourced rules

Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.

All weapons

1 rule
Species Rule Citation Verified
All species Suppressor ownership is banned in Hawaii, so hunting with one is not possible. Hawaii ownership ban (primary cite pending verification) Aug 2026 needs review

Handgun

4 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Handguns: single-shot/revolver barrels ≥4.5" (semi-auto ≥5"); straight-wall ≥.357 with a case ≥1.25", or necked ≥.223; bullets under .43 caliber must be expanding; carried in plain view; hunters must be 18 or older. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
Feral Hog Handguns: single-shot/revolver barrels ≥4.5" (semi-auto ≥5"); straight-wall ≥.357 with a case ≥1.25", or necked ≥.223; bullets under .43 caliber must be expanding; carried in plain view; hunters must be 18 or older. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer Handgun bullet construction is regulated by caliber class. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
Feral Hog Handgun bullet construction is regulated by caliber class. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

2 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Muzzleloaders must have at least a .44-caliber bore; breech loaders are barred during muzzleloader-only hunts. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
Feral Hog Muzzleloaders must have at least a .44-caliber bore; breech loaders are barred during muzzleloader-only hunts. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026

Rifle

2 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer For game-mammal hunting without dogs, rifles must have a muzzle energy rating of at least 1,200 ft-lb. With dogs, a rifle of ≥.22 Magnum or any centerfire qualifies instead.
"Cartridge firing rifles with a muzzle discharge energy rating of less than twelve-hundred foot pounds [are prohibited]."
 HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
Feral Hog For game-mammal hunting without dogs, rifles must have a muzzle energy rating of at least 1,200 ft-lb. With dogs, a rifle of ≥.22 Magnum or any centerfire qualifies instead.
"Cartridge firing rifles with a muzzle discharge energy rating of less than twelve-hundred foot pounds [are prohibited]."
 HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026

Shotgun

2 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Shotguns must use 00 buckshot or larger for game mammals. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026
Feral Hog Shotguns must use 00 buckshot or larger for game mammals. HAR § 13-123-22 Aug 2026

Federal rules that apply in every state

These federal requirements apply in Hawaii on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

DLNR DOFAW — Game Mammal Hunting (HAR § 13-123-22) Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026

Sources & methodology

Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.

Legal disclaimer — please read

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.

  • Confirm every rule in the current official Hawaii hunting regulations before your hunt.
  • Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
  • When in doubt, contact Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife directly.

The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.