The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced that online applications for a combined 2022 Lanai Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep hunting season will be available from Jan. 10.

The deadline for submitting applications is at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11, and the 2022 season will consist of four separate hunts, according to a release.

What You Need To Know

  • All hunters are required to apply online for this hunt due to COVID-19; online applications open Jan. 10 and the deadline for submitting applications is 4 p.m., Feb. 11

  • All federal, state and county COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines apply and must be adhered to for participating in the hunt and hunters will be required to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines

  • DOFAW urges hunter applicants to obtain and pay attention to the hunt announcement, instruction sheet and addendum, plus monitor online information for any changes that may be made to the application process or hunting season

  • Due to COVID-19, the 2022 Lanai Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep hunting season may be modified, rescheduled, temporarily postponed, restarted or canceled at any point prior to or during the season for health and safety concerns or for any other unforeseen reasons, according to DLNR

Each hunter applicant will be assessed a $10 application fee that is non-refundable even if the hunt is canceled or the applicant is unable to participate. A game mammal tag fee will be assessed at hunter check-in for each Axis deer and Mouflon sheep tag — $20 for Hawaii residents and $125 for non-Hawaii residents, payable by debit card, credit card and cash.

The Archery Hunt is set to take place over two nine-day periods consisting of two draws with start dates on May 14 and 28. The following three hunts are Wednesdays through Sundays and are subject to limited participation for non-Lanai residents: the Youth Hunt takes place June 8-12; Muzzleloader Hunt is June 15-19; and the General Rifle Hunt will be held over 18 consecutive weeks from June 22 to Oct. 23.

All four hunts are subject to a lottery drawing, and there will be no standby hunting opportunities. Drawn hunters will receive an application/permit card in the mail indicating the date drawn. Hunters who are 65 or older or disabled may participate with the help of an assistant if needed; proper documentation will be required at the time of hunter check-in.

Archers must apply to hunt by submitting an application. Archery groups are limited to eight hunters per group. Hunters applying for the Archery Hunt may also participate in either the Muzzleloader or General Rifle Hunt. Check-in is 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on the Thursday or Friday prior to the first day of the Archery Hunt, or 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily during the hunt to validate permits and acquire tags. Hunter check-in and harvest reporting will be available through the OuterSpatial Trails and Hunting mobile app. Tags can be purchased online, which will then leave hunters to simply sign Pulama Lanai waiver forms at the check station. 

Note that check station hours may be modified based on hunter participation levels and online check-in/tag purchase options. Archery hunters must check out of the hunting area daily and report their take or their intent to hunt the next day providing their tags remain unfilled.

Youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger on the hunt date, possess a valid 2021-22 or 2022-23 State of Hawaii hunting license and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult (18 years or older) who also possesses a valid 2021-22 or 2022-23 State of Hawaii hunting license. Youth hunters will be issued tags (valid only for the specific hunt applied for) upon check-in and will be limited to carrying one type of hunting equipment while hunting. Blaze orange is required for all youths and accompanying adults. Youth hunters may also apply for and participate in the Archery, Muzzleloader or General Rifle Hunts.

Interested hunters may apply for either the Muzzleloader or General Rifle Hunt, but not both, with a group size of eight. Muzzleloader applicants will automatically be assigned to the set date; General Rifle Hunt dates will be assigned by lottery.

Public drawings for the Archery and for Youth and Muzzleloader Hunts will be at 10 a.m. March 11 at the DOFAW Maui base yard in Kahului with limited public participation. The public drawing for the General Rifle Hunt will be held at noon at the same location. The Lanai resident public drawing will be held at 9 a.m., same location.

Eligible Youth, Muzzleloader and General Rifle participants must check-in 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding their assigned hunting date, or 7-9 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at the DOFAW office in Lanai City to certify hunter permits and acquire their tags.

Hunter check-in and harvest reporting will be available through the OuterSpatial Trails and Hunting mobile app. Tags can be purchased online, which will then leave hunters to simply sign Pulama Lanai waiver forms at the check station. Checking in and tag purchases will remain available at the Lanai hunter check station.

Once each hunter fills all allocated tags, she or he will not be eligible to participate for the remainder of the 2022 Lanai Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep season. 

The news release with further detailed information on this combined hunting season, including bag limit specifications, can be found on the DLNR website.

For information on the hunting program and general rules, including details about this 2022 season, check the website or call the following numbers: Oahu, 808-587-0166; Maui, 808-984-8100; Hawaii, 808-974-4221 (in Hilo); Molokai, 808-553-1745; Kauai, 808-274-3433; Lanai, 808-565-7916.