What Hunting License Do I Need for Deer on Molokai?

Planning a deer hunt on Molokai? You need more than just a hunting license to do it legally. Most hunters don't realize there are multiple documents required before you can step foot in a hunting unit, and skipping any one of them puts your entire hunt at risk.

We covered the basics of how to get a deer hunting license including the answer to “what hunting license do I need for deer” in this related post. This article goes a step further and walks you through everything specific to Molokai, from the base license all the way to the permit, lottery tag, and mandatory check-in.

Let's get into it.

How to Get a Deer Hunting License in Hawaii

Your first step is buying a valid Hawaii state hunting license through the official eHawaii hunting portal at hunting.ehawaii.gov. You can buy it online, print it instantly, and carry it digitally or on paper.

Licenses are valid from the date of purchase through June 30 of the current fiscal year. Ehawaii That

means if you buy one in March, it expires at the end of June, not a full year later. Plan your Molokai hunt calendar around that.

What You Need Before You Apply for Your Hunting License

Before you start the application, have these ready:

Your Social Security number is required by federal law for all recreational license applications. You'll also need a valid credit card with a Hawaii billing address if you're purchasing as a resident, or any U.S. credit card as a nonresident.

The most important requirement is proof of hunter education. All hunters in Hawaii must have a resident hunting license and a Hawaii Wildlife Conservation Stamp, and a hunter education class is required to obtain a hunting license in Hawaii.

If you completed hunter education in another state, you don't have to retake it. Letters of Exemption are free to those with an out-of-state hunter education card or a Hawaii Hunting License issued before July 1, 1990. Submit the exemption request form online before you try to purchase your license.

How Much a Hawaii Hunting License Costs

A license costs $10 for residents and $95 for nonresidents. All Hawaii hunting licenses are automatically equipped with a Wildlife Conservation Stamp for game mammal hunting.

Hawaii residents age 65 or older may obtain a free hunting license.If that applies to you, the Wildlife Conservation Stamp is still required and costs $10.

The license covers game mammal hunting across the state. It does not cover everything you need for deer specifically, which brings us to the next step.

A Hawaii Hunting License Is Not Enough for Deer

Now that you know more about “what hunting license do I need for deer?” let’s talk about what else you need. This is where a lot of hunters get caught off guard. A hunting license alone does not allow you to hunt. You must have both a valid Hawaii hunting license and a permit for the specific area you plan to hunt.

On Molokai, that means you need a separate area-specific permit on top of your state license. And for axis deer specifically, you also need a lottery-drawn tag before you can legally take a deer.

Think of it as three separate documents: license, permit, and tag. You need all three.

What Deer Hunting Permits and Tags You Need on Molokai

Axis deer may be found on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, though Molokai and Lanai give permits through a lottery drawing.

Molokai public hunting areas offer opportunities for deer, pigs, and goats, and additional permits may be required for specific game and hunting areas. You apply for your permit and tag through the Go Hunt Hawaii portal at gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov.

The current axis deer rifle season on Molokai runs on weekends within a set window, with specific dates posted on the Go Hunt Hawaii portal each year. Always confirm the current season dates directly with Hawaii DLNR before you book travel.

What to Know About Axis Deer Season and Rules on Molokai

A few field rules apply to every deer hunter on Molokai, and ignoring them can result in a citation or loss of hunting privileges.

Legal hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No hunting outside that window.

When hunting in public areas, it's required to wear an exterior blaze orange garment. Camouflage orange is not permitted.

Harvest reporting is mandatory for all game taken. You must report your harvest through the Go Hunt Hawaii system, even if you were unsuccessful. That means you submit a report whether you took a deer or came home empty-handed.

You're also required to check in before the hunt begins, every single time. Missing check-in is a violation, even if everything else is in order.

Book a Hunting Tour

If you want to hunt on Molokai with less headache, then make sure to choose a guided hunt on Molokai and book a trip with Kaluakoi Outfitters–we make it easy!