Tags are valid only for the specific hunt applied for. This is partly because Lanais Axis deer have no other predators other than the human hunter. But in Hawaii there are no natural predators.. Copyright 2023 Green Matters. It was a tough shot on a big buck, and when the deer took off, I knew it was a clean miss. Much like hunting the hyper-alert whitetails in Texas, you should concentrate on aiming for the heart. They finished a draft management plan that focused on a community-based approach and hired a coordinator with state and county funding. If applicable, standby hunters must be present at the Lnai City, Division of Forestry and Wildlife office at 6:00pm on the Wednesday prior to their assigned hunting date to be eligible to replace no-show hunters. There will be no limit on the amount of doe tags and a limit of one (1) ewe tag that can be purchased. One example: The hia tree, which grows in high elevation forests, is both sacred to Hawaiians and vital for the states water supply (when clouds come into contact with the tree, condensation forms and drips onto the ground, eventually flowing down the mountain into rivers and reservoirs). The deadline for submitting applications is at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11, and the 2022 season will consist of four separate hunts . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I've had two hunters who've privately told me we should all take more does, but when you're out there, the temptation is really to take the buck, so you've got the rack, Bagshaw said, referencing the antlers that are often kept as prizes. Hunting Units 1 and 2 will be opened for the Youth, Muzzleloader, and General Rifle Hunts. Subject to limited participation for non-Lnai residents. That same cost of installing fencing can eat into farmers profits too much for it to be worth it. Due to unforseen circumstances, the 2023 Lnai Axis deer hunting season may be modified, rescheduled, or cancelled. Note that unit boundaries and closures may have changed since the creation of these maps. I found a grove of bushes and tucked in close behind them. Around the airport, every tree is barren as the greenery has been devoured by deer, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Yes, there are laws that one must abide by to make the most of this activity. Axis Deer Range in Texas In 1988 they were noted as having self-sustaining populations in 27 counties within Central and South Texas. Contact Us I really do not have much to say. of the Kingdom of Hawaii (1863 to 1872). Axis deer, also referred to as chital, were originally brought from India, but they were introduced to Hawaii during the 1860s. Axis deer ( Axis axis) are easily identified by an orange coat with white spots similar to a whitetail fawn. Management efforts are in early stages but would be community-based, he added. Dressing comfortably in quiet clothing allows you to move freely without much risk. 1. MOLOKAI, HAWAII (KHON2) Officials continue to look for ways to handle axis deer numbers in Maui County. The State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2023 Lnai Axis Deer hunting season will be available to the public online beginning Monday August 15, 2022. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono and Hawaii U.S. He said because so many of the deer are on private lands it makes it difficult for hunters to access the deer. Experts say the number of deer on Maui is growing. Given all of this, its not unreasonable to wonder whether the deer should simply be completely eradicated from Hawaii. The 2021 Lanai combination Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep season will be a Mouflon sheep ewe and Axis Deer either sex and doe hunt. Thank you, God bless you. Maui Axis Deer Update, Jan. 13, 2022 from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo. Many local experts agree that its important to strike a balance between deer as an invasive species and one that provides benefits to the local community. Hawaiis governor, David Ige, has committed to whats referred to as the 30 by 30 plan: to fence in 30 percent of the states priority watersheds by 2030, largely to protect them from the deer. Copyright Maui News | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 | 808-242-6363, We understand that deer populations also contribute to the subsistence hunting lifestyle and cultural practices of residents on Maui, Molokai and Lanai,, Thus, we are asking state lawmakers to appropriate funds to help substantially reduce and manage the axis deer overpopulation provided that the population is managed properly rather than eradicated., I like hunting because culturally and spiritually I love to be close to the land and the ocean and be a part of it all,, I also love the challenge of the hunt and the satisfaction of eating something I worked hard to attain., Best management practices depend on the objectives and community desires,, For Maui, any management strategy should be island-based (a Maui strategy is not appropriate for Molokai or Lanai), community-driven and should include meaningful consultation, input and participation from kanaka maoli., (I had) a split-second decision of whether to swerve into the other lane and hit another car or hold on and hit the deer,, But you hit a deer going 55 (mph) on Haleakala (Highway)?, brake, dont swerve. While Molokai and Lanai are at carrying capacity, meaning populations wont get much larger, Maui is 25 to 30 years away from carrying capacity, he said. General Rifle Hunt dates will be assigned by lottery drawing. Hunters can check lottery results online at https://gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov or at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/. Photo by iofoto/Shutterstock. You get to hunt a number of animals like the Axis deer, Hawaiian Boar, Black Hawaiian Sheep, Mouflon and Dove on the islands of Hawaii. After we surveyed the land, a final spot and stalk was planned, this time with Alec by my side. One of the beauties of spot and stalking Axis deer in Lanai is the weather. Hunters will be required to purchase two (2) doe tags before being given the opportunity to purchase an either sex tag. The deer found no predators in Hawaii, either; none of the wolves, big cats, terrestrial snakes or alligators that prey on them in Asia. I made my move, drew back, and locked into my anchor points before releasing an arrow. I live in Texas. Axis deer are deceptively cute with giant doe eyes, spotted fur, and long, gorgeous antlers (on males), they appear to be dainty and harmless creatures. deer have preferred open areas like pastures over wooded areas. Of course, thats not a problem its really worrying about; the deer is so overpopulated that the idea of saving the deer is laughable. Subject to limited participation for non-Lanai residents. The reason why we say theyre increasing is because we know their range is continuing to expand from where they were.. There plenty of Axis deer on the Lanai landscape. Anecdotally, it seems like deer numbers are increasing, but I would not want to hazard a guess as to current population numbers, Penniman said. In addition, a free Mouflon Sheep ewe tag may be available at the Lnai hunter check station. And theyre extremely dangerous to drivers; axis is just one of many deer species that seems magnetically attracted to moving vehicles. The Department of Forestry is engaged in an awkward dance regarding the deer. An aerial study by a Maui deer working group in 2016 showed the population of axis deer at about 10,000 on Maui, said Penniman, who is now special projects director at UH Manoa Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. So, what will Hawaii do to combat the axis deer population problem? A trophy buck was bedded down just ahead and it was within archery range. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Known for tasting similar to beef, deer meat is leaner and often healthier when raised in the wild and harvested humanely. Mature bucks can weigh up to 200 pounds and have many distinct characteristics similar to Elk and Red Deer, as well as being vocal during breeding season. Another reason its not going to happen, beyond the practicalities, is that, according to Bagshaw, the deer are legally protected. In this April 12, 2012 photo provided by Forest and Kim Starr, axis deer are shown in upcountry Maui near Makawao, Hawaii. HONOLULU Axis deer, a species native to India presented as a gift from Hong Kong to the king of Hawaii in 1868, have fed hunters and their families on Molokai for generations. Game mammal tags purchased online will also serve as the hunting permit. On West Molokai, James Espaniola, a Forestry and Wildlife Technician with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, talks about footage captured while on a helicopter ride of herds of deers. Answers to these questions are important. And the axis deer, of course, had arrived a couple of decades prior to that date. MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii On Maui and Molokai, state officials are fencing in forests and encouraging hunters to take doe in order to reduce the population of axis deer, which have exploded in recent years. Now, their booming population grows at a rate of 20-30% each year. A recent university study on Maui's axis deer populations found does made up 70 percent of the herds. An Axis deer lottery application is available for $10 from the lottery office. Details Species: Axis Deer Average Classification: 27 - 30 Shot Opportunity: 95 Weapons: Rifle, Muzzleloader, Archery Hunt Catalog #: RB18580-01 Tag Availability: Over The Counter Classification details: It was the first time that people saw so much deer, said Ritte. Ritte noted that there has been runoff around Molokai for decades, due to what he considers bad practices from Molokai Ranch, which owns 55,000 acres of land a third of the island. Axis deer, which are sometimes known as chital, are native to Sri Lanka, parts of India and Nepal. Interested hunters may apply for either the Muzzleloader Hunt Lottery or the General Rifle Hunt Lottery but may NOT apply for BOTH. If necessary, the standby selection process will begin upon completion of the general rifle lottery. Archery hunters may check in on the Tuesday preceding the first day of the Archery Hunt between the hours of 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM or daily, with the exception of the second weekend of each archery draw, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM to acquire their tags. Hunter assistants will only be allowed to accompany hunters who are senior citizens (age 65 or older) or disabled. Radford told The Maui News on Friday that although MISC does not manage deer due to funding limitations, effective management of a very invasive species is something we support., There are a lot of examples throughout the U.S. and the world that show how you can effectively manage deer or other ungulates, he said. Luckily, it's not uncommon to encounter as many as 50 Axis deer a day when hunting in Hawaii. Female axis deer do not grow antlers and have a mature body size of 90 to 150 lbs while . Fencing is also an effective way to protect Maui and Molokais forests, according to Bagshaw. Sugidono said the county is hoping to receive $3.5 million from the state. I wish someone would make a stand and educate these people on a healthy ecosystem- a healthy Hawaiian ecosystem if you have such a need for pig, goat, deer, cow- put them in a fenced area and grow them. Mouflon sheep season tags cost $100, while axis deer season tags cost $50. Round up all the feral cat, put them in a sanctuary. Axis Deer (By lottery, tags or permits required) Downloadable Maps for Hunting on Lnai Click below to find PDF versions of Public Hunting Area units that you can print and take with you. But for the. When we talk about people eating venison, theres a general apprehension because its most associated with something gamey theyve had in the past, says Muise. Statistically, every year, more than 50 Axis deer are been hunted for a number of purposes such as recreation, ecological balance, deer meat, and so on. And they decimated my father-in-laws corn crop at the time.". There is usually wind on the Hawaiian Islands and keeping the wind in your favor is a must. A few different peculiarities of the Hawaiian islands made it a great home for the axis deer. I know many folks here on Oahu thats love to come over and hunt, but just dont have the connections! Determination on the availability of a Mouflon Sheep ewe tag will be based on aerial survey data, previous years ewe harvest levels and population target numbers. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. AXIS DEER HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH HUNTERS: Participation in the Youth and Muzzleloader Hunts may be assigned by lottery if application levels exceed the allotted number of hunters allowed in the hunting area. With the estimated population numbers yall have on the Islands, you will never get the Axis population under control. They're sometimes known as the spotted deer, because they have white spots on their tawny coats, and sometimes as the barking deer, because they are extremely vocal. Maui and Molokai are being devastated by an overpopulation of axis deer as the invasive animals move into high-elevation forested land, eating everything. The idea of, say, selling axis deer in Whole Foods? Vegetation is becoming increasingly scare, and farming is already suffering from the drought as it is and axis deer are exacerbating the issue. 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