DIY Hawaii axis deer hunt

[Tahoe1305]

Some good info here. I'm also on Oahu looking to get a hunt in while I'm here for the next year.. Could there be a benefit of staying overnight in the field (obviously on private if public isn't legal) to create a higher chance of success during archery? Or are the deer just everywhere? Will try to whack a pig or two on Oahu in the meantime..

The private is a bit different than normal private. It’s all by a single entity and I am nearly positive they don’t allow overnight camping either.

I would argue success during archery directly correlates to # days in the field. If you want a good chance, plan on a full week. May get lucky and snag one sooner. But learning their movements is critical and it takes some time.

 

[tdowning8141]

Hello, I am PCSing to Oahu in March 2022. I am wondering if someone can comment on the hunting dates. I have hunted in many states, but I am pretty confused with Lanai axis deer. For example, it shows an open season date for archery axis, but then theres the draw hunts for archery axis? Is this for only a specific portion of public? I have also heard of the public private stuff. Kind of confusing. Is this where the general season comes into play, but then you have to get permission to go on the leased lands? Lastly, there are private hunts, but just want to clarify if these4 are different from the private public land? sorry if my questions were confusing (also would have dm'd but since I am a new member I cannot. Thank you!

 

[martinwj12]

Hello, I am PCSing to Oahu in March 2022. I am wondering if someone can comment on the hunting dates. I have hunted in many states, but I am pretty confused with Lanai axis deer. For example, it shows an open season date for archery axis, but then theres the draw hunts for archery axis? Is this for only a specific portion of public? I have also heard of the public private stuff. Kind of confusing. Is this where the general season comes into play, but then you have to get permission to go on the leased lands? Lastly, there are private hunts, but just want to clarify if these4 are different from the private public land? sorry if my questions were confusing (also would have dm'd but since I am a new member I cannot. Thank you!

Just got back from there end of Nov. Shoot me a message and I’ll send you contact and info for places to stay and get you sorted.
[email protected]

 

[Revron]

I went to Maui and killed a great buck. Most land is private if you can get access to the land you can harvest nice bucks. Public land is heavily hunted and you can kill goats and pigs but the trophy axis are a lot harder to find as they are hunted hard.

Lanai is a draw I believe. but I am not 100% on that. If you can gain access to private you have a real good chance archery or rifle.......At least on Maui.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Hello, I am PCSing to Oahu in March 2022. I am wondering if someone can comment on the hunting dates. I have hunted in many states, but I am pretty confused with Lanai axis deer. For example, it shows an open season date for archery axis, but then theres the draw hunts for archery axis? Is this for only a specific portion of public? I have also heard of the public private stuff. Kind of confusing. Is this where the general season comes into play, but then you have to get permission to go on the leased lands? Lastly, there are private hunts, but just want to clarify if these4 are different from the private public land? sorry if my questions were confusing (also would have dm'd but since I am a new member I cannot. Thank you!

​

 

[Tahoe1305]

Just got back from there end of Nov. Shoot me a message and I’ll send you contact and info for places to stay and get you sorted.
[email protected]

This is helpful. The hardest part. Vehicle being also challenging.

 

[tdowning8141]

Thank you all for the great responses and help!

 

[bojangles808]

​ DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIR 2022 LĀNAʻI AXIS DEER AND MOUFLON SHEEP SEASON DETAILS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 17, 2021 The State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is pleased to announce that applications for a combination 2022 Lānaʻi Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep hunting season will be available to the public online beginning Monday, January 10, 2022. A ten-dollar ($10.00) application fee will be assessed for each person applying for the hunt. The application fee is non-refundable even if the hunt is canceled or you are unable to participate. A game mammal tag fee will be assessed at the time of hunter check-in. Hawaiʻi residents will be assessed twenty dollars ($20.00) and non-Hawaiʻi residents one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) for each Axis deer and Mouflon sheep tag. Accepted forms of payment for game mammal tags include debit cards, credit cards, and cash. It is important that hunter applicants obtain and pay attention to the hunt announcement, instruction sheet, and addendum; and monitor online information for any changes that may be made to the application process and/or hunting season. Due to Covid-19, the 2022 Lānaʻi Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep hunting season may be modified, rescheduled, temporarily postponed, restarted, or canceled at any point prior to or during the season for health and/or safety concerns or for any other unforeseen reasons. All Federal, State, and County Covid-19 restrictions/guidelines apply and must be adhered to for participation in this hunt. Hunters will be required to follow all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Hunt Dates, Special Conditions, and Procedures Pursuant to Title 13, Chapter 123, “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting” (13-123-4) the following special conditions and procedures will be in effect for this hunt. The 2022 Lānaʻi Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep Season will consist of four separate hunts: The Archery Hunt will be held over two nine-day periods and consist of two draws. Subject to limited participation for non-Lānaʻi residents. The first draw hunt will begin on May 14, 2022, and end on May 22, 2022. The second draw hunt will begin on May 28, 2022, and end on June 5, 2022. The Youth Hunt will be open from Wednesday through Sunday, June 8-12, 2022. Subject to limited participation for non-Lānaʻi residents. The Muzzleloader Hunt will be open from Wednesday through Sunday, June 15-19, 2022. Subject to limited participation for non-Lānaʻi residents. The General Rifle Hunt will be held over eighteen consecutive weeks and open on Wednesdays through Sundays, beginning on June 22, 2022, and ending on October 23, 2022. Subject to limited participation for non-Lānaʻi residents. All four hunts will be subject to a lottery drawing. There will be no standby hunting opportunities for the four hunts. Drawn hunters will receive an application/permit card in the mail indicating the date drawn. Hunter assistants will only be allowed to accompany hunters who are senior citizens (age 65 or older) or disabled. Proper documentation is required at the time of hunter check-in. The 2022 Lānaʻi Axis deer and Mouflon sheep season will be a combination hunt. The bag limit for Axis deer will be three animals: two does and one deer of either sex. Hunters will be required to purchase two doe tags before being able to purchase an either-sex Axis deer tag. If conditions allow, doe bag limits will be increased with hunters being issued free doe tags after the purchase of all upfront tags. The bag limit for Mouflon sheep will be four: two ewes, one Mouflon sheep of either sex and one non-typical ram. Hunters will be required to purchase two ewe tags before being able to purchase an either-sex Mouflon sheep tag. A non-typical ram tag will be issued free of charge if one Mouflon sheep tag is purchased. All heads of non-typical rams must be disposed of properly in the field or at the Lānaʻi hunter check station. Tags are non-transferable and are valid only for the specific hunt for which it was issued. Archers must apply for this hunt by submitting an application. The group size for the archery hunt will be eight hunters. Due to a new format for the archery hunt, a lottery drawing to assign hunting dates for the Archery Huntwill be conducted. Hunters applying for the Archery Hunt will be allowed to apply for and may be able to participate in either the Muzzleloader Hunt or the General Rifle Hunt. Archery hunters may check in on the Thursday or Friday preceding the first day of the Archery Hunt between the hours of 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM or daily during the hunt between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM to validate permits and acquire their tags. Hunter Check-in and harvest reporting will be available through the OuterSpatial Trails and Hunting mobile application and purchasing of tags may be available online at https://gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov/public/tags, requiring hunters to only sign Pūlama Lānaʻi waiver forms at the check station. Checking in and purchasing of tags will remain available at the Lānaʻi hunter check station. Check station hours may be modified based on hunter participation levels and online check-in/tag purchase options. Archery hunters must check out of the hunting area daily and report their take or their intent to hunt the next day providing their tags remain unfilled. Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep Hunting Opportunities for Youth Hunters Youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger (HAR 13-123-2) on the hunt date, possess a valid 2021-22 or 2022-23 State of Hawaiʻi hunting license, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult (18 years of age or older) who also possesses a valid 2021-22 or 2022-23 State of Hawaiʻi hunting license. Youth hunters must apply to participate in this hunt. Youth hunters will be issued tags at the time of hunter check-in. Tags are valid only for the specific hunt applied for. Youth hunters will be limited to carrying one (1) type of hunting equipment while in the hunting area. Blaze orange is required for all youths and accompanying adults. Youth hunters who apply for the youth hunt will be allowed to apply for and may be able to participate in the archery and the muzzleloader or general rifle hunts. Interested hunters must apply for either the Muzzleloader Hunt or the General Rifle Hunt but may not apply for both. The group size for the muzzleloader and general rifle hunt will be eight (8). Muzzleloader applicants will automatically be assigned to the scheduled date. General Rifle Hunt dates will be assigned by lottery drawing. Applying for the Hunt Due to Covid-19, hunters will be required to apply online for this hunt at https://gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov. Please select 2022 Lānaʻi Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep Season. The DEADLINE for submitting applications will be 4:00 PM on Friday, February 11, 2022. Public drawings for the archery and for the youth and muzzleloader hunts will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife base yard in Kahului, with limited public participation. The public drawing for the General Rifle Hunt lottery will be held at 12:00 noon at the above location. The Lānaʻi resident public drawing will be held at 9:00 am at the same location.

Did you think the 11% archery draw odds were too high last year for residents? Did you enjoy people hunting on top of each other the preceding years i before when they crammed a record number of hunters during the archery hunt with no cap? I couldn't even go standby when half the people that drew tags didn't even show up because they realized finding lodging and a vehicle was such a hassle. It's gotten so hard to go in for any stalks when deer all are pushed in every which way because of the pressure that I just have to sit and hope something walks by slow enough for a shot it's a mess now.

Do you even hunt there anymore or plan on going on this hunt? Because if you do then you certainly would know better than to try increase it's popularity after how bad it's gotten. Or did you do it once and won't ever do it again , and have no problem being a forum hero and exposing it further and screw it up for other that still enjoy it just for a little internet clout? I don't get it

 

[Tahoe1305]

Did you think the 11% archery draw odds were too high last year for residents? Did you enjoy people hunting on top of each other the preceding years i before when they crammed a record number of hunters during the archery hunt with no cap? I couldn't even go standby when half the people that drew tags didn't even show up because they realized finding lodging and a vehicle was such a hassle. It's gotten so hard to go in for any stalks when deer all are pushed in every which way because of the pressure that I just have to sit and hope something walks by slow enough for a shot it's a mess now.

Do you even hunt there anymore or plan on going on this hunt? Because if you do then you certainly would know better than to try increase it's popularity after how bad it's gotten. Or did you do it once and won't ever do it again , and have no problem being a forum hero and exposing it further and screw it up for other that still enjoy it just for a little internet clout? I don't get it

100% plan on hunting there again, hoping this year with Mouflon and Axis being same time. Went many more times than once. I did not hunt last year.

It’s public information. Available online to anyone who wants to search for it. Just like here.

The public hunt is highly regulated for out of staters (like said in the above) the amount of people that apply for a tag has ZERO to do with number of people that show up to hunt. That’s state regulated. If Hawaii decides to open up to more out of state tags vs resident, that’s a business and political decision…sounds like you get a vote.

I’m pretty sure you understand that. And it’s been that way for as long as I have hunted there.

This forum is about helping folks. I’ve maybe chatted with a dozen folks about hunting there. If I helped a dozen people that don’t have to learn the same harder lessons I did then I’m ok with that.

If that dozen people rain on your hunting season, I am sorry. That isn’t my intent. Can’t help but noticed you’ve chimed in on this thread and others, so a tad hypocritical. I know of two people at this point I’ve helped who have actually gone.

The good news a vast majority of the people I help are military stationed nearby, which makes me feel better and helps our fellow warriors.

FWIW, I understand your concern and it’s noted for consideration.

Happy New Year. Good luck with your seasons hunt. Considering you can likely go whenever you want I’m sure you’ll do fine.

 

[martinwj12]

This is helpful. The hardest part. Vehicle being also challenging.

They are so over populated that Karen waived the Pulama fee. Archery is as many deer or Mouflon as you want and rifle (still a fee) is 2 does and a buck.

 

[bojangles808]

The public hunt is highly regulated for out of staters (like said in the above) the amount of people that apply for a tag has ZERO to do with number of people that show up to hunt. That’s state regulated. If Hawaii decides to open up to more out of state tags vs resident, that’s a business and political decision…sounds like you get a vote.

I’m pretty sure you understand that. And it’s been that way for as long as I have hunted there.

Have you hunted state hunt? Or the archery state hunt? On the cgma? I know you hunt the other side, and if you're helping guys via pm that's great, but I'm not talking about that. There's no regulation for out of state non res for the state hunt. If non residents only got 10% max of the tags like every other western state I would have zero issues, but non res are in the same pool as non lanai Hawaii residents for the same state rifle draw hunts or in last year's case archery hunt too, and it sucks. There is no regulation on non residents for state hunt, they get in the same draw pool as everyone else that isn't a lanai resident, taking up tags that should be for residents of the state.

A bunch of guys google a thread like this or listen to Joe Rogan and John dudley talk about how lanai is soo much fun to bowhunt (while failing to disclose that the area they hunt is such a good hunt bc it's the guided zone and it costs thousands a day to hunt) and then they apply bc the app is so cheap and now they are in the same draw pool as the rest of non lanai Hawaii residents. So then they do draw and realize logistics like finding housing or a truck rental are a nightmare or airfare is too expensive and they no longer want to go. Well more than half the people that drew last year did that, I saw it checking the harvest reports at the check in station this summer, so now instead of drawing the state side, residents like me ennd up with nothing and are stuck bowhunting the other side that gets pounded 365 days a year because a bunch of guys are killing the draw odds applying and not showing up. With a baby and a different job now I only get out there a couple times a year now, so missing on these opportunities is frustrating.

Yes we have had dialogue with the state to try and get non res in their own capped pool but to no avail so far. some improvements have been made like 2 seperate archery hunts to try and improve the overcrowdedness but it's still a mess and still could be much improved. Yes it is public info but like go hunt or fresh tracks with draw odds, how to apply and success rates, spoon feeding hunt info to the masses on the world wide web does no good

 

[Tahoe1305]

Have you hunted state hunt? Or the archery state hunt? On the cgma? I know you hunt the other side, and if you're helping guys via pm that's great, but I'm not talking about that. There's no regulation for out of state non res for the state hunt. If non residents only got 10% max of the tags like every other western state I would have zero issues, but non res are in the same pool as non lanai Hawaii residents for the same state rifle draw hunts or in last year's case archery hunt too, and it sucks. There is no regulation on non residents for state hunt, they get in the same draw pool as everyone else that isn't a lanai resident, taking up tags that should be for residents of the state.

A bunch of guys google a thread like this or listen to Joe Rogan and John dudley talk about how lanai is soo much fun to bowhunt (while failing to disclose that the area they hunt is such a good hunt bc it's the guided zone and it costs thousands a day to hunt) and then they apply bc the app is so cheap and now they are in the same draw pool as the rest of non lanai Hawaii residents. So then they do draw and realize logistics like finding housing or a truck rental are a nightmare or airfare is too expensive and they no longer want to go. Well more than half the people that drew last year did that, I saw it checking the harvest reports at the check in station this summer, so now instead of drawing the state side, residents like me ennd up with nothing and are stuck bowhunting the other side that gets pounded 365 days a year because a bunch of guys are killing the draw odds applying and not showing up. With a baby and a different job now I only get out there a couple times a year now, so missing on these opportunities is frustrating.

Yes we have had dialogue with the state to try and get non res in their own capped pool but to no avail so far. some improvements have been made like 2 seperate archery hunts to try and improve the overcrowdedness but it's still a mess and still could be much improved. Yes it is public info but like go hunt or fresh tracks with draw odds, how to apply and success rates, spoon feeding hunt info to the masses on the world wide web does no good

I have and do hunt the state hunt and when I did it was as a resident (not currently).

The state of Hawaii provided info says there will be limited number of out of state permits provided. Not sure if that is new but it is their words not mine.

I speculate they are doing it like they are this year because they are grossly overpopulated and need to kill some deer to get numbers back. COVID did that for 18 months (due to Hawaii and lanais restrictions) not people not showing up.

If they are worried about no shows they should have kept the standby drawing that they had every year.

I am not responsible for how Hawaii sets their policies for hunting. But fact is Hawaii is a state and like all states is able to be hunted by all Americans.

It’s not some secret that only locals should know about. It’s a great place to hunt. This is a hunting forum. If people want to put the effort and research how to hunt there, good on em. Like you mention for most it’s too restrictive. But that is their decision and as long as Hawaii only charges $10 for the draw they will probably get a ton of people applying whether they read this or not. If they want to fix it make it $500 draw for out of state, that will solve their issue.

 

[Southpaw_Outdoorsman]

Lanai does a yearly public axis hunt. 100% draw for archery. Near 100% for rifle.

I PM’d you my number to chat if you like. You can hunt private on lanai too for reasonably cheap year around.

hunting out here is awesome. Highly recommend it.

Is there anyway you could PM me? Looking to do a DIY hunt on Lanai this year

 

[cfuentes]

Lanai does a yearly public axis hunt. 100% draw for archery. Near 100% for rifle.

I PM’d you my number to chat if you like. You can hunt private on lanai too for reasonably cheap year around.

hunting out here is awesome. Highly recommend it.

Hi Tahoe 1305 I really would like to know how your experience in hunting in Hawaii was like and your insight… will you email me or send me a dm would love to hear all about it! [email protected]

 

[sfallon]

Does anyone camp while on the Lanai public hunt or pay and arm and a leg for either an Airbnb or Four Seasons?

 

[martinwj12]

Does anyone camp while on the Lanai public hunt or pay and arm and a leg for either an Airbnb or Four Seasons?

 

[martinwj12]

Trucks run $100-125/day and Tony has beds as does Jason. Roughly $60/night. If they are full they can probably direct you to someone who has space. Camping isn’t allowed unless you pay the $80/night in the one campground by the beach. Good luck!

 

[Tahoe1305]

That’s gold right there!

 

[sfallon]

Thank you so much for the quick response! Since you folks seem easier to get a hold of, thought I'd also ask for insight on the group number rules? I only applied as a group number of 1, so does that mean that I can't bring anyone to help me hunt (even though they wouldn't be holding a weapon) and essentially hunt solo?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Thank you so much for the quick response! Since you folks seem easier to get a hold of, thought I'd also ask for insight on the group number rules? I only applied as a group number of 1, so does that mean that I can't bring anyone to help me hunt (even though they wouldn't be holding a weapon) and essentially hunt solo?

I’d pull the reg. But quick google search shows no for public hunt on lanai unless you are older than 65.

Deer Hunting Regulations - Hawaii Hunting

All hunters participating in the axis deer season must purchase an axis deer tag either online or at the Lānaʻi hunter check station. Pursuant to Title…

www.eregulations.com

Believe that was for 2021 but 2022 should be same.