Hawaii for axis deer?

[Tjv28]

My family and I are trying to plan a Hawaiian vacation sometime in May. I'm think of trading golf clubs for my bow and spending a couple days hunting for axis deer. I would appreciate any info from those of you with experience in this regard. Which island is best? Is there sufficient public land? Can I just buy a OTC tag? I'd prefer to do it on my own, but should I get a guide? Thanks in advance

[Dhoey07]

A lot of Hawaii hunting will depend on which island you would like to visit.  We really liked Kauai so that is where I looked into hunting, no axis deer there though.  The hunt I have planned is for goats and pigs while hiking the Na Pali coast.

The regs are pretty straight forward and easy to navigate.  The island's have different amounts of public land so keep that in mind while doing research. 

[257 Wby Mag]

No tag nessasary just a license for about $100. I killed one on Maui years ago. Lotsa fun

[rougheye]

Bummer. You just missed the lanai archery state hunt

[Bob33]

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/files/2016/01/Chapter-123_Final.pdf

[Curly]

Are there any archery deer season there in May?  Maybe you could use your bow during rifle season? 

Here is a quote from the State Website:

The 2017 Lanai Axis deer season will consist of four (4) hunts:

            The Archery Only Hunt will be held over eight ( consecutive days, beginning February 18, 2017 and ending on February 25, 2017.

            The Muzzleloader Hunt will be conducted for one (1) Weekend (Saturday and Sunday), March 11 and 12, 2017.

            The General Rifle Hunt will be held over nine (9) consecutive Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), beginning March 18, 2017 and ending on May 14, 2017.

Hunter assistants will only be allowed to accompany hunters who are senior citizens (age 65 or older) or disabled.  Proper documentation is required at time of hunter check in.

The bag limit for the 2017 Lanai Axis deer season will be three (3) Axis deer (two (2) does and one (1) either sex) per hunter for the archery season, three (3) Axis deer (two (2) does and one (1) either sex) per hunter for the youth hunt, and three (3) Axis deer (two (2) does and one (1) either sex) per hunter for the muzzleloader and general rifle hunts.  All hunters will be required to purchase a doe tag and have the option of purchasing an either sex tag and/or another doe tag.  Tags are NOT transferable and are valid only for the specific hunt for which it was issued.

[Tjv28]

From what I can tell there is a year round open season for axis deer on Maui. Is this correct? Seems pretty confusing to my poor little brain.

[rougheye]

Yep. Year round   The deer live on private. Very hard to find property to hunt