Axis hunting in Hawaii

[Codie]

Good info, Codie. Looked into cost of shipping meat and mount home?

I have not - all of the outfitters claim that the price includes preperation for shipping of meat/trophy but as far as actuall shipping cost I am not sure. Still need to do some more research on that part of it.

[TravisMears.com]

Get in touch with Eddie Highcountry Urpanil (this is his name on facebook). He is a shooting buddy of mine from Hawaii that has done a ton of axis hunting in Hawaii. He would dang near post daily about knocking free range Axis down.

[BrianL]

so far I have found 3 outfitters that offer 2 day rifle hunts on Maui for around $2,500 with 98% success rate and 1 day rifle hunts for a little less and they all claim that most customers shoot their buck on day #1. One thing I am noticing is that the quality of animal (antler length) is shorter there than they are on your exotic ranches here. Trophy bucks start at around 25" and giants seem to be anything over 32". I would like to kill a nice sized axis, but the experience of hunting them in the mountains along the coast of Hawaii just might be enough to make up for a few inches of antler length

I haven't hunted them, but I have hiked some and it can be some tough walking!!!

[Shane]

so far I have found 3 outfitters that offer 2 day rifle hunts on Maui for around $2,500 with 98% success rate and 1 day rifle hunts for a little less and they all claim that most customers shoot their buck on day #1. One thing I am noticing is that the quality of animal (antler length) is shorter there than they are on your exotic ranches here. Trophy bucks start at around 25" and giants seem to be anything over 32". I would like to kill a nice sized axis, but the experience of hunting them in the mountains along the coast of Hawaii just might be enough to make up for a few inches of antler length

Do you think they're just shooting them younger? Seems like they'd have plenty of good nutrition there. Maybe just shorter antler genetics though. ??

A 30" axis is still very nice in my book. And a hunt in Hawaii would be way cool.

[Codie]

Do you think they're just shooting them younger? Seems like they'd have plenty of good nutrition there. Maybe just shorter antler genetics though. ??

A 30" axis is still very nice in my book. And a hunt in Hawaii would be way cool.

I do - I can usually tell just by their trophy gallery what type of management practices the outfitter has. There is one outfitter on Maui that seems to have a much better handle on what is deemed as "shootable" and their pictures seem to all be larger bucks in the 28"-34" range.

The big outfitter for the Lania area seems to be the top end there, but his prices are more in line with what you would pay here in the states ($3,000 or so) and Lania is not where we plan on staying and since I am looking at a 1 day excursion type rifle hunt I don't want to have to mess with island hopping to get to my hunting desitination

[Codie]

Well, as much as I know my wife wants to go to Hawaii, I have decided against it for now after doing days of research and getting right down to booking the trip. I just can't justify to my self spending that kind of $ on a trip when we have so many other more important things in life that the $ could go towards. We will give Mexico beaches a try since it seems to be less than half the price

[BrianL]

Last time I priced they were about same. $3-4k But didn't try booking a hunt. Good luck either way. R&R is always good. We love Hawaii.

[JTeLarkin08]

Contact mark at Bowhunting Safari Consultants.. They have a reputable archery outfitter in Hawaii.. Its two day hunts for axis and one day hunts for goats and stuff. I would assume since a lot of it is public land you could book a guide one day and the diy the rest of the trip

[JTeLarkin08]

I have not - all of the outfitters claim that the price includes preperation for shipping of meat/trophy but as far as actuall shipping cost I am not sure. Still need to do some more research on that part of it.

Screw shipping cost.. Take a roll top dry bag for the cape and send the antlers home with you on the flight.. Donate the meat to someone there..