Hawaii Population and Management ArchiveHawaii Page

View the archive by scrolling through the window below or Load the Archive Document.  Historic deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Hawaii Deer Population and Management Archive

Estimated Annual Deer Kill

2016 Reported Kill: Over 700


2012 Reported Deer Kill:  About 700


2011 Reported Deer Kill on Public Lands (Underestimates total kill)


Kauai (2010-2011) - 26 total black-tailed deer (26 bucks, 0 does) 

Kauai (2011-2012) - 30 total black-tailed deer (30 bucks, 0 does) 

Oahu - deer not present 

Maui* (2011) - 2 total axis deer 

Lanai (2011) - 576 total axis deer (303 bucks and 273 does) 

Molokai (2011) - 22 total axis deer 

Hawaii - deer not present 


Deer Kill on Kauai public hunting

2003  64

2004  51

2005  40

2006  34

2007  36

2008  53

2009  29

2010  26

2012   4

2013   5

2014  36


A list of articles in the Archive


Clicking on a link below will open the Google Doc Archive and move to the link location.


2021

Molokai’s Fabled Axis Deer Are Starving To Death In Droves January 24, 2021 Hawaii, Civil Beat

Lawmakers working to manage deer population in Maui County  January 23, 2021 Hawaii, KHON2

Molokai legislators say they will continue to help with axis deer carcasses piling up January 12, 2021 Hawaii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Elected Officials Release Statement on Recent Deer Deaths on Moloka‘i January 12, 2021 Hawaii, Maui Now

2021 Lāna'i Axis Deer Hunting Season Canceled September 15, 2020 Hawaii, Maui Now

Sheep, deer season canceled July 10, 2020 Hawaii, Maui New

Deer Culling Concerns February 19, 2021 Hawaii, Molokai Dispatch

Deer native to India starve to death amid drought in Hawaii February 10, 2021 Hawaii, Seattle Times

Ige declares Maui County a disaster area January 30, 2021 Hawaii, Thegardenisland.com

Ranchers hope for greener pastures amid Maui County's 'extreme' drought January 29, 2021 Hawaii News Now

Molokai’s Fabled Axis Deer Are Starving To Death In Droves January 24, 2021 Hawaii, Civil Beat

Lawmakers working to manage deer population in Maui County  January 23, 2021 Hawaii, KHON2

Molokai legislators say they will continue to help with axis deer carcasses piling up January 12, 2021 Hawaii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Elected Officials Release Statement on Recent Deer Deaths on Moloka‘i January 12, 2021 Hawaii, Maui Now

2020

A drought is causing Molokai deer to starve, and carcasses are piling up December 31, 2020 Hawaii, KHNL

2021 Lāna'i Axis Deer Hunting Season Canceled September 15, 2020 Hawaii, Maui Now

Sheep, deer season canceled July 10, 2020 Hawaii, Maui New

2019

Local Border Collies work to save Hawaiian birds October 9, 2019 Asheboro Courier Tribune

Game management plan still in the works October 7, 2019 Hawaii, Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Hunting Axis Deer on Lanai Island June 10, 2019 Hawaii, Field & Stream

Black-Tailed Deer Season to Open on Kaua'i June 8, 2019 Hawaii, Big Island Now

Axis deer on the rise, experts say January 25, 2019 Hawaii, The Maui News

2018

Although the Probability Has Increased, Hawaiʻi Drivers Continue to be Least Likely to Hit a Deer October 15, 2018 Hawaii, HPR

2017

DLNR Announces 2018 Lana'i Deer Hunting Season September 24, 2017 Hawaii, Big Island Now

Axis deer no longer present in Ka'u August 5, 2017 Hawaii, Hawaii Tribune Herald

State releases draft plan for Kula forest July 5, 2017 Hawaii, Maui News

DLNR Announces Black-Tailed Deer Season on Kaua‘i June 25, 2017 Hawaii, Big Island Now

Plan Approved To Control Feral Animals In Haleakalā National Park's Nu'u Parcel January 8, 2017 Hawaii, National Parks Traveler

2016

2017 Lanai Axis Deer Hunting Season Hunt Announcement September 30, 2016 Hawaii, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

What Animals Live In Hawaii? September 10, 2016 Hawaii, World Atlas

Feral plant, animal removal planned on Maui June 27, 2016 Hawaii, West Hawaii Today

2015

Black-Tailed Deer Hunting To Open On Kaua'i July 21, 2015 Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources - Hawaii.gov

Rules spell out fines for introducing wildlife May 14, 2015 Hawaii, Hawaii Tribune-Herald

New rule means $25,000 fine for introducing wildlife May 14, 2015 Hawaii, Hawaii News Now

Meetings to Discuss Proposed Protection of Native Habitat at Nuʻu May 11, 2015 Hawaii, Maul Now

2014

Lawsuit Discmissed December 18, 2014 HawaiiTribune-Herald.com

State Ramping Up Efforts To Eradicate Axis Deer October 24, 2012, Hawaii, Big Island Now

Lānaʻi Axis Deer Hunting Applications Available October 21, 2014 Hawaii, Maul Now

Abercrombie releases natural resources projects money October 21, 2014 Hawaii, West Hawaii Today

It’s Deer-Vehicle Crash Season: Hawai‘i Drivers Least Likely in the Nation to Hit a Deer September 16, 2014 honolulumagazine.com

The Islands Are Different: Human Perceptions of Game Species in Hawaii

DLNR announces black-tailed deer season July 27, 2014 Hawaii, The Garden Island

Three-part course to explore feasibility of Maui axis deer byproducts operation July 13, 2014 Hawaii, The Maui News

Maui axis deer numbers cut by 2,500, group says May 10, 2014 Hawaii, Honolulu Star Advertiser

Lawmakers grapple with hunting-ground preservation March 14, 2014 Hawaii, Washington Times

Maui axis deer survey counts about 8K animals January 13, 2014 Hawaii, Hawaii News Now

2013

Applications for Lanai deer hunting are now available October 28, 2013 Hawaii, Maui News

Hawaii Deer Season 2014: Hunting Forecast October 4, 2013 Outdoorlife.com

Fight against Big Island axis deer ... August 1, 2013 Hawaii, The Republic

How Invasive Species Control is Threatening Local Culture July 13, 2013 Hawaii, Hawaii Reporter

Group using corral to capture axis deer June 30, 2013 Hawaii, Maui News

Coordinator hired on Maui in battle over axis deer June 3, 2013 Hawaii, NECN

Grant to help manage Maui deer problem January 25, 2013 Hawaii, Maui News

Hawaii Volcanoes Releases Plan for Ungulate Control January 25, 2013 Hawaii, Big Island Now

2012

Maui Axis Deer Pilot Program UpdateNovember 26, 2012 Hawaii, Maui Now

Big Island man defends his actions in axis deer case November 14, 2012 Hawaii, KITV Honolulu

State sues Hawaii County over aerial hunting ban November 11, 2012 Hawaii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii officials ask hunters to help them eradicate Big Island deer October 29, 2012, The Republic

Maui hunters form cooperative to kill axis deer on farms, ranches October 4, 2012 Hawaii, The Republic

Hawaii hunters sentenced in deer smuggling case October 1, 2012, San Francisco Chronicle

Maui helicopter pilot to be sentenced in deer case September 13, 2012 Hawaii, San Francisco Chronicle

The Humane Society of the United States Encourages Hawaii Residents to Report Wildlife Crimes Following Recent Deer Smuggling Case August 24, 2012 Hawaii, DamonTucker

Axis deer eradication under way on island August 24, 2012 Hawaii, Hawaii Tribune Herald

Veteran pilot pleads guilty to airlifting deer, sheep August 21, 2012 Hawaii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Alleged animal smugglers used helicopters to fly sheep to Maui,deer to Big Island August 21, 2012 Hawaii, Washington Post

Funds approved for battle against axis deer, fire ants and other invasive species August 16, 2012 Hawaii, Hawaii

Maui Seeks More Money for Invasive Species Battle May 17, 2012 Hawaii, Maui Weekly

Dear friends caught in deer traps July 7, 2012 Hawaii, Maui News

Axis deer possession now illegal in Hawaii June 21, 2012 Big Island Video News ... In a media release, the state says “... a deterrent to the purposeful spread of wild or feral deer within the State and establishes penalties for the intentional possession or interisland transportation or release of wild or feral deer.” ... Officials believe the deer were smuggled to the Big Island and released by private individuals, although no official investigation is being conducted.

Hawaii's Plan to Eradicate Deer Angers Big-Game Hunters May 25, 2012 Opposing Views

Hunters, officials clash as deer multiply May 27, 2012 Hawaii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Public safety concern in plan to curb isle's deer population May 11, 2012 Hawaii, Maui News

Inaugural Hawaii Invasive Species Council on Maui May 8, 2012 Maui Now, By Wendy Osher

Deer Eradication Efforts Begin on Big Island April 16, 2012 Hawaii, Maui Now

First axis deer hunted down on Hawaii, DLNR provides photo proof April 13, 2012 Big Island Video News

Helicopter blamed for disrupting Lanai hunt April 8, 2012 Hawaii, Maui News

Axis deer - potential to wreak havoc on Isle January 13, 2012 West Hawaii Today

2011

Hawaii invasive species spending cuts have effectSeptember 24, 2011 Hawaii, Houston Chronicle, AUDREY McAVOY

Resolution urges government to help abate deer populationSeptember 18, 2011 Hawaii, Maui News

D'oh! A Deer, Maui Deer Issues August 4, 2011, Hawaii, Mauinews.com

Deer park could solve problem, attract tourists September 26, 2011 Hawaii, Maui News

DLNR plans to survey, remove axis deer on DHHL land in Ka'u August 27, 2011 Hawaii, Big Island Video News

Deal humanely with axis deer June 6, 2011 Hawaii  Management  Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Axis Deer Threat on Maui Brings Perspective to Big Island  May 27, 2011  Hawaii Management  Maui Now

Big Island Plans Response to Deer Sightings  May 24, 2011  Hawaii Management   Honolulu Civil Beat