Axis deer on Molokai

[Kado84]

So my wife got lucky and will be heading to Hawaii in July for an Axis deer hunt. Anyone have any tips or info? Traveling to Molokai, gear, clothing, anything at all would help since this is a completely new experience.

 

[survivalistd]

Excellent draw. No info on the gear needed but fun hunt

 

[Bonehammer]

DM sent

 

[Flymost]

Not to derail, but I always thought of Hawaii as an estate type of hunt. Are there public land NR opportunities and anyone have experienced one?

 

[Coveyleader]

Molokai for outsiders on your own takes some research. As a non islander, you do need to have respect in the back of your mind there. You hear it all the time, but there, you are a guest, and really in the eyes of many, an unwanted guest. Also, if your wife has visions of beaches on Molokai, you will be disappointed.

 

[Coveyleader]

Not to derail, but I always thought of Hawaii as an estate type of hunt. Are there public land NR opportunities and anyone have experienced one?

Very wrong on that thinking, the mistake most guys have is they want to combine it with a vacay. If you treat the islands has any other hunt, there are some awesome DIY options. Molokai is a tricky place, and not one I’d recommend for a DIY type hunt without contacts.

 

[JNDEER]

Hot weather clothing!!
Buy your hunting license
XL soft cooler bags (norchill for example)
Depending on who you are hunting with- don’t be picky as there are more deer in the next gulch

READ MOKULELE check and carryon rules

 

[bojangles808]

Not to derail, but I always thought of Hawaii as an estate type of hunt. Are there public land NR opportunities and anyone have experienced one?

Not really. Molokai has some public but logistics are very challenging. Onx also shows more public in Hawaii, when the huntable area is actually a sliver bc they lists Hawaiian homelands as public but you rly can'thunt there. You should go guided on molokai if you do go. on the public they are all subsistence hunters there and you are taking food off their table they don't take kindly to outsiders. but if you go guided Molokai you get private access and it is actually probably best value in Hawaii. lanai and Maui have outfits but they are very expensive. Just check outfitters reviews.

@Kado84

 

[RockAndSage]

Molokai is a tricky place, and not one I’d recommend for a DIY type hunt without contacts.

Tricky in actually hunting the terrain, or tricky in not pissing off Hawaiians?

 

[Kado84]

She got selected for an all female veteran’s guided hunt. Hopefully she can get down there and make some contacts so I can plan a trip for me!

 

[Coveyleader]

Tricky in actually hunting the terrain, or tricky in not pissing off Hawaiians?

The latter. Please don’t confuse any dealings that you’ve had with locals on other islands I.e signs “keep the north shore country etc” Molokai is a different place completely, and attitudes there can be all over the spectrum. There is a reason there is no real tourist industry there.

Example, that piece of public land you’re eyeing up on your PC right now may be public, but that means absolutely nothing. If you show up at the wrong time, and think just because you paid for a hunting license, airline ticket etc, and will just walk up the hill, you could really be putting yourself in a rough situation. Its a place where name dropping is important, and and invitation by uncle W. is/was almost mandatory.

 

[RockAndSage]

The latter. Please don’t confuse any dealings that you’ve had with locals on other islands I.e signs “keep the north shore country etc” Molokai is a different place completely, and attitudes there can be all over the spectrum. There is a reason there is no real tourist industry there.

Example, that piece of public land you’re eyeing up on your PC right now may be public, but that means absolutely nothing. If you show up at the wrong time, and think just because you paid for a hunting license, airline ticket etc, and will just walk up the hill, you could really be putting yourself in a rough situation. Its a place where name dropping is important, and and invitation by uncle W. is/was almost mandatory.

Lots of similar dynamics to hunting on a Rez, just without the trap of thinking public land is public. This is good advice.

 

[Nutkin13]

Same as everyone above. Travel with a local, don't leave anything expensive in a rental car or hotel room, don't expect a warm welcome. Drive slow, I mean SLOW. I would not hazard hunting there without a guide and private access unless I was prepared for a confrontation. There's 10x more deer than people on the island, stand still for any length of time and you'll see about 50 of them.

Get a ride to the far end of the island to do the Halawa Valley cultural / waterfall hike with Greg. He's a big deer hunter and it's a much more authentic experience than most places you'll find in Hawaii. This is probably the most tourist friendly thing there.

Terrain varies wildly, one end of the island is red desert and the other is rain forest. No special gear requirements. Pay attention to the Mokulele rules for meat and heads, heard they cracked down on that recently.

 

[Coveyleader]

At the end of the day, pay more attention to local rules vs government rules……. Local law supersedes Hawaii law, take that to the bank!

 

[chancey]

I have never spent time on Molokai. That being said the big island is like a second home to me. We have generations of friends and live like locals when we visit their island. Trust me when I say be respectful and speak softly when trying to integrate, them island boys don’t play!