Līhue – Kaua‘i hunters are invited to apply for Special Use Permits that allow for some additional days of the week to hunt goats, pigs and deer in all existing hunting Units EXCEPT Units A, B and L. Many hunting areas on Kaua‘i are open on weekends (Friday-Monday) only. Beginning Monday May 18, 2020 licensed hunters may hunt more days of the week by submitting an online application at www.KauaiForestUsers.com. Permits will be processed several times a week; not every day due to a lack of staff.
“Some hunters have asked us to increase open hunting days to help them feed our community during the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Sheri S. Mann, Kaua‘i Branch Manager for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). “With so many people out of work, free food drives happening and growing concerns about national meat shortages, many are interested in hunting during the middle of the week”. However, all hunters and forest users should adhere to the latest CDC, State and County social distancing and other COVID-19 related recommendations. Opening daily hunting, in some areas, should spread hunting trips out, reduce the likelihood of hunters overlapping and increase the amount of meat for those who need it.
During this temporary change, we are asking all forest users to be considerate and careful of each other. Please follow all existing hunter rules such as do not hunt on any trails and keep hunting dogs leashed while on trails. There are many areas and trails that will not be impacted by this temporary increase in hunter days; all DOFAW managed lands are still open, but the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is closed to hikers.
DOFAW will be collecting detailed hunter harvest data to help evaluate any impacts that more hunting days may have on
