Hi Guys, I am moving to Hawaii with my family next year I plan to take up hunting for the first time (I am a new shooter as well and just starting to collect parts for my first AR, which is also going to be my first gun). I'd like to be able to provide some food for the family. My question is what kind distance/ranges are you guys typically seeing for deer/hog? I would think that you don't see too much long range shots but maybe that just depends on the island. Reason I ask is I am collecting some gear and I'm on the lookout for some optics if I come across any sales in the near future. Figure I will most likely start with hunting on Molokai because I have family there. But I'd possibly try Lanai or big island too. I would be living on either Oahu or Maui depending on jobs. Should I just lean toward the typical 3-9x range? Do any of you go for a quality 1-4x? As a photography buff who has used good lenses I can well understand why having a sharp bright image with good field of view is often better than lots of magnification....so I don't want to waste money on some cheap over magnified optic for my purposes.

Deer on Molokai and Lanai I have heard shots out to 350~ish yards.  Pig hunting with dogs 0 yards, hunting via spot and stalk 100 yards and under most likely like 50 yards on average or less. 

Most deer taken under 200yd . You shoot as far as you would like to walk and get it lol

Most deer taken under 200yd . You shoot as far as you would like to walk and get it lol

You can shoot from 10 yards some places out to 500 yards or more in other places.  As long as you fine walking to get your deer like mentioned.
3x9 should be sufficient scope power.

OK thanks guys. That's good enough for now!

Leupold 3-9x40 VX2.  Clear glass!