Hunting Without Dogs

When hunting in a public area without dogs, the following conditions and restrictions apply.

• Rifles:
  • Cartridge rifles with a minimum muzzle energy of 1200 foot-pounds.
  • Shotguns loaded with shot no smaller than 00 buckshot.
  • Muzzleloading rifles with a minimum bore diameter of .44 caliber. Note: Breech loaders are prohibited during “muzzleloader only” specified hunts.
• Archery:
  • Longbows with a minimum drawing tension of 40 pounds at a 28-inch draw.
  • Recurve bows with a minimum drawing tension of 35 pounds.
  • Compound bows with a minimum drawing tension of 30 pounds.
  • Broadheads must have a minimum blade cutting diameter width of ¾ of an inch (no explosive heads, or heads containing drugs or poison)
• Handguns:
  • Only persons 18 years and older can hunt with a handgun.
  • Centerfire handguns:
    • Single-shot pistols and revolvers must have a minimum barrel length of 4 ½ inches.
    • Semi-automatic pistols must have a minimum barrel length of 5 inches.
  • Straight wall ammunition shall be .357 caliber or larger with a minimum case length of 1 ¼ inches. (Only exception is 10 mm auto mag and .45 Winchester Magnum.)
  • Necked rifle type cartridge ammunition shall be .223 caliber or larger.
  • All handgun bullets less than .43 caliber (.429 inch) shall be expanding type. Bullets of .43 caliber, which do not expand, shall be flat-nosed (semi-wadcutter) or round nosed exposed lead type.
  • It is prohibited to use muzzleloading handguns when hunting without dogs.
  • Handguns shall not be carried concealed. (Open-topped and flapped protective type holsters that cover the handgun handle are allowed.) All handguns and holsters must be worn in plain view, external to all clothing or rain gear.

Refer to §13-123-22 (2) of Hawaii Administrative Rules for more information.