Boar Hunting in Hawaii

Wild boar hunting was a favorite sport of kings and nobles, and some estates in Europe still keep the fierce little animals on their property for hunting. Modern-day boar hunters can try their luck on a number of private ranches throughout the Hawaiian islands.

  1. Get a License

    • You must have a license from the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) to hunt in Hawaii, whether it’s on public or private land. To get a license, you’ll need to present a Hawaii Hunter Education Wallet Card, which you can get after taking a basic safety course. You may also present a letter of exemption, which is issued to people who have an out-of-state hunter education card or a Hawaii hunting license issued before July 1, 1990. You can request a letter of exemption, check the safety schedule or buy a Hawaii hunting license on-line through the DNLR web site.

    What’s a Boar?

    • Otherwise known as wild hog or feral pigs, wild boar are strong, mean animals that are descended from tame pigs. They’re about three feet high at the shoulders, 4 ½ to 6 feet long and can weigh up to 450 lbs. Most are black, gray or brown with bristly hair and a long straight tail. Their upper canine teeth curl out, forming tusks that can grow up to 9 inches long.

    Boars’ Natural Habitat

    • The web site Hunting Trips R Us says that wild boar came to North America from Europe on supply ships in the late 1890s, and Hawaii Safaris claims that Polynesian boar arrived on the islands over 2,000 years ago. Today, they live in forests and jungle habitats around the world. Wild boar are cautious, like to hide in dense bushes and move around mostly at dawn and dusk. They also like to wallow in mud on hot days. Wild boar feed on plenty of tropical fruit, nuts and plants, but also snakes, crayfish, frogs and other animals.

    Where to Hunt

    • Wild boar are found on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. There are a number of companies that offer guided hunting trips on private ranches for a fee. Some offer additional services, such as trained dogs, boar bait and butchering services. Shop around and ask for references. Some companies guarantee that you’ll go home with a boar, but most won’t.

    Boar Hunting Tips

    • When hunting wild boar, Hunting Trips R Us recommends that you plan your trip well, dress for the weather and always bring along a buddy. Use bait to entice your prey (ask your tour guide or locals to see what works best), and avoid cigarettes, strong body odor, cologne or other scents that might tell the boar you’re nearby. (Hunting products are available to help hide your scent.) Most important, be quiet.

    Why Hunt?

    • Wild boar tusks make a prized trophy for some hunters, but most are looking for dinner. Hunting Trips R Us claims wild boar meat is more flavorful than domestic pig meat. In Hawaii, it’s a cultural tradition to smoke the meat, or to roast females or young boars in an underground pit.