Hawaii Bird Hunting
Seasons Span November – January 2025
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Official License Fees (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and Wildlife)
| License / Permit Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost |
| Annual Hunting License | $10.00 | $95.00 |
| Game Bird Stamp (Required for game bird hunting) | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Wildlife Conservation Stamp (Required/included with base license) | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Senior Resident Hunting License (65+) | $10.00 | N/A |
Season Dates, Daily Bag Limits & Possession Limits
Ring-Necked Pheasant & Green (Blue) Pheasant
- Season Dates: Early November through late January (Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays across designated Game Management Areas and private lands with permission).
- Daily Bag Limit: 3 cocks per day (Ringneck and Green combined).
- Possession Limit: 6 cocks.
Erckel’s Francolin, Black Francolin & Gray Francolin
- Season Dates: Early November through late January (Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays).
- Daily Bag Limit:
- Erckel’s Francolin: 3 per day (either sex).
- Black Francolin & Gray Francolin: 8 per day (either sex).
- Possession Limit: 6 Erckel’s Francolin; 16 Black/Gray Francolin.
California Quail, Gambel’s Quail & Japanese Quail
- Season Dates: Early November through late January (Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays).
- Daily Bag Limit: 15 per day combined (either sex).
- Possession Limit: 30 birds.
Chukar Partridge & Kalij Pheasant
- Season Dates: Early November through late January (Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays).
- Daily Bag Limit:
- Chukar Partridge: 8 per day (either sex).
- Kalij Pheasant: 3 per day (either sex).
- Possession Limit: 16 Chukar; 6 Kalij Pheasant.
Doves & Sandgrouse (Mourning Dove, Spotted Dove, Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse)
- Season Dates: Early November through mid-January (Mourning Dove closes earlier to comply with federal migratory bird frameworks; Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays).
- Daily Bag Limit: 10 per day combined (either sex).
- Possession Limit: 20 birds.
Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook
Upland bird populations in Hawaii are heavily influenced by localized trade-wind rainfall and drought conditions across high-elevation lava slopes and leeward scrublands (such as the Saddle Road/Mauna Kea hunting units on Hawaii Island, Kuaokala on Oahu, and designated areas on Lanai and Kauai).
When winter and spring moisture is adequate, sub-alpine and grasslands yield strong insect hatches, boosting chick survival for Erckel’s francolin, quail, and chukar. However, prolonged summer dry spells on dry leeward slopes tend to concentrate birds around limited water sources and green vegetation pockets. Hunters should be prepared for drastic temperature and elevation shifts—ranging from warm, humid conditions at lower elevations to cold, windy, or foggy terrain exceeding 6,000–9,000 feet above sea level.
For the most accurate and updated regulations, check with DOFAW or official resources like https://dlnr.hawaii.gov and https://www.eregulations.com.