KEKAHA, Hawaii — Permits for hunting goats in the Kekaha Game Management Area on Kauai are now available. 

Those who receive permits will be determined by a lottery and anyone interested must submit their application by Oct. 14. Applications may be obtained at all hunter checking stations on Kauai and the following vendors: Westside Fish and Feed, Umi’s Store, Salt Pond Country Store, JGB Arms, Pono Market, Hanapaa Fishing Kauai, Lace It Up, Wailua Country Store and Kapahi Menehune Food Mart. A $5 fee must be paid by all hunters submitting an application. 

The availability of permits will depend on how many people apply and it’s possible that not everyone who applies will receive a permit. For each two-day slot, there will be 50 permits available. The lottery will take place on Oct. 19.

Hunters may apply for all hunts and in groups of up to eight hunters. 

For each permit granted, there will be a limit of three goats and two must be female. 

Below are the available dates for permits:

  • Archery only dates: Nov. 1-2, 9-10, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21, 2022
  • Muzzleload only dates: Dec. 27-28, 2022 and Jan. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, Jan. 31- Feb. 1, Feb. 6-7, and 13-14, 2023 
  • Rifle only dates: Feb. 21-22, 27-28, March 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 28-29, April 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25, 2023

The Kekaha Game Management Area is located above the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the west side of Kauai. Access to the Kekaha Game Management Area will be through the Puu Opae HCS at the Marine Road access or Mana Tunnels area. Upon entering and leaving, all hunters must sign in and out. 

Detailed information about the regulation of game mammal hunting can be found here

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.