Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve, Pu‘u Anahulu Game Management Area 2026 hunting seasons approach

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife announces the opening of the 2026 Puʻu Waʻawaʻa youth and disabled hunting, Puʻu Waʻawaʻa makai muzzleloader hunting and Puʻu Anahulu Game Management Area makai muzzleloader hunting seasons on Hawaiʻi Island.

Youth and disabled hunting will be weekends and state holidays throughout August and is open exclusively to youth hunters ages 15 years old or younger and hunters with a valid disabled hunter’s vehicle use permit.

Puʻu Waʻawaʻa and Puʻu Anahulu muzzleloader hunting runs from the first Friday in September through the last Sunday in October, with hunting permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and applicable state holidays.

Hunters pursuing sheep must obtain the appropriate 2026 ram or non-typical ram harvest tags before participating. All hunters must check in and out at the Puʻu Waʻawaʻa hunter check station, at designated self-service check stations or via the Outerspatial app.

Camping is prohibited in the hunting areas before and during the hunts.

Additional information is available by contacting these Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices:

• Hilo: 808-974-4221.
• Waimea: 808-887-6063.
• Main office (Oʻahu): 808-587-0166

You also can read the full hunting announcement at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife website.

Visit the Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi website for hunting information, permits and tags.

Click here for the disabled hunter vehicle use permit application.