Deer hunting season
begins in September

Permit and tag fees have increased
for this year's season on the Garden Isle

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Star-Bulletin staff

Black-tailed deer hunting season will begin on Kauai in September, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

From Sept. 14 to Nov. 30, archery deer hunting will be permitted on weekends and state holidays in hunting units F, J and K and will be limited to one deer.

Muzzle-loader hunting will be permitted on Sept. 14 to 15 in units A and H and will also be limited to one deer.

Regular rifle hunting will be permitted on weekends only from Sept. 21 to Oct. 27 in units A and H. Bag limits in unit A will be one buck, with a minimum 3-inch antler. In unit H, the limit is one deer of either sex.

Permit and tag fees for this year's hunters have increased.

Archers hunting in units F, J and K will be charged a one-time $5 permit fee; nonresidents will be charged $25. Permits are sold beginning July 10 at Lihue Division Forestry and Wildlife Services at 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306. Hunters must have a 2002-03 Hawaii hunting license to receive a permit.

Neighbor island archers can pick up a permit application at their local wildlife services office and mail it to Kauai's Forestry Division with the correct fee.

Muzzle loaders will also be charged $5 for residents and $25 for nonresidents for a hunting permit, which are sold at the Kauai wildlife services office.

Neighbor island hunters can request a permit by mail, but all requests must be received by the office by Sept. 6. Kauai permit holders must pick up their permits by Sept. 13.

In addition to the $5 permit fee, regular rifle hunters will be charged a permit tag fee, which is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

As in years past, each hunter applicant will be drawn for two weekends -- one weekend in Unit A and another in Unit H. The application deadline for the general rifle tag is Aug. 7.

Hunters are restricted to one deer in a hunting season and must bring a kill to the Kokee Hunter Checking Station for examination.

The public drawing for hunting tags will be held at the Lihue State Office Building in the second floor conference room on Aug. 21 at 4 p.m.

Results of the drawing will be posted at the Lihue office and will not be available over the phone.

For more information on deer hunting season or how to apply for a permit, call 274-3433 on Kauai, 565-7916 on Lanai, 587-0166 on Oahu, 933-4221 on Hilo, 984-8100 on Maui and 533-1745 on Molokai or go to www.state.hi.us/dlnr/ chair/pio/pionr.htm