The Maui News

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife will begin accepting applications Aug. 15 for the 2023 Lanai Axis Deer hunting season.

A $10 application fee will be assessed for each person applying for a hunt. A game mammal tag fee will be assessed at the time of hunter check-in. Hawaii residents will be assessed $20 and non-residents will pay $125 for each Axis deer tag. Game mammal tags purchased online will also serve as the hunting permit.

Hunters should pay attention to the hunt announcement, instruction sheet, addendum, and online information for any changes in the application process and hunting season, according to a news release. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2023 Lanai Axis deer hunting season may be modified, rescheduled, or canceled.

The 2023 Lanai Axis deer season will consist of four hunts (all subject to limited participation for non-Lanai residents).

• Archery Hunt will consist of two draws each totaling twelve days. The first draw hunt will begin on Feb. 1, 2023, and end on Feb. 12, 2023. The second draw hunt will begin on Feb. 15, 2023, and end on Feb. 26, 2023.

• Youth Hunt will be conducted for one weekend (Thursday through Sunday), March 2-5, 2023.

• Muzzleloader Hunt will be conducted for one weekend (Thursday through Sunday), March 9-12, 2023.

• General Rifle Hunt will be held over 11 consecutive weekends (Thursdays through Sundays), beginning March 16, 2023, and ending on May 28, 2023.

All four hunts may to subject to a lottery drawing. Depending on application levels, standby hunting opportunities may be offered for the general rifle season. Hunters can check lottery results online and apply at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ recreation/hunting/.

Hunter assistants will only be allowed to accompany hunters who are senior citizens (age 65 or older) or disabled. Proper documentation (signed doctor’s note, driver’s license, hunting license, etc.), along with the hunter assistant permit, must be made available to any representative of DLNR upon request.

For more information on Maui call (808) 984-8100, on Molokai (808) 553-1745 and on Lanai, (808) 565-7916.