August 14, 2026
The Pursuit of Axis Deer on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai
“I WILL NEVER DATE A GUY WHO WEARS CAMO.” -Me, ca. 2006 (probably)
If you told my 16-year-old self that I’d be spending my 35th birthday on a secluded tropical island hunting exotic deer, I probably would have met the idea with the loud laugh of vehement disbelief. But as my husband likes to say in these situations: “Nevertheless, here we are…”
So how exactly did we get here?
When I met my husband, Joe, in 2016, he regaled me with vivid stories of a childhood spent hunting deer and small game in the woods and farm fields of Ohio. Admittedly, I held some preconceived notions about the hunting lifestyle, so early in our relationship I would simply nod intently while taking in his passion. I certainly had no intention of picking up the hobby myself, but I adored his excitement for getting outside, spending time in nature, and harvesting his own food. Fast forward nearly a decade, I now have my own section on the top shelf of our closet reserved for the camo gear that I wear whenever we get a chance to get out in the field. Who am I anymore?!
I am in no way a seasoned hunter, but I love learning and accumulating new experiences. The fact that my teacher is devastatingly handsome is just a bonus.
That being said, this girl still loves the beach. So, when Joe recommended that we spend my birthday in the Hawaiian Islands soaking in some sun on the beach AND hunting together for the exotic and invasive Axis deer, I couldn’t help but say yes.
Months before we started our multi-leg journey to the tiny island of Lānaʻi, I did some homework to familiarize myself with the animals we would soon be hunting.
One of the lesser-known islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, Lānaʻi is a diminutive island nestled between Maui and Moloka’i and remains largely tourist-free. Fun fact! 98% of the island is currently owned by one man, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Measuring just 141 square miles, it is home to between 20,000 to 30,000 Axis deer. By comparison, its human population is just over 3,000. Axis deer are native to the Indian subcontinent and are known for their silky, spotted coats and long sweptback antlers. First introduced as a gift to King Kamehameha V in the 1860s, these animals have proliferated across the islands ever since. Unfortunately, with no natural predators and an ability to reproduce rapidly, the Axis deer have been wreaking havoc on local ecosystems and causing irreparable damage to the fragile landscape.
It’s no wonder, then, that the people of Lānaʻi support the management of these animals and benefit from hunters arriving to hunt them year-round. The local restaurants serve Axis deer on their menus as regular plates and specialties, using the locally sourced meat instead of relying solely on expensive meat shipped from overseas. Which is a pretty great deal no matter how you slice it. The meat is tender and delicious, yet lean, much like the lean cuts beef found on the mainland.
When we landed in Lānaʻi, our first order of business (after the best breakfast of our lives) was to zero in our rifle. After a few long flights from the East Coast and potential “turbulence” from careless baggage handlers rocking the scope from its bases, the practice was necessary and welcomed. We met our guides – Alec and Cooper – from Pineapple Brothers, a renowned hunting outfitter situated on the old Dole pineapple fields that surround the island’s only airport. Also a fun fact! James Dole, the founder of Dole Pineapple, purchased nearly the entire island in the early 1920s. His purchase allowed for the Pineapple Boom that marks a notorious time in Hawaiian history. At the time, the tiny island of Lānaʻi was the world’s largest pineapple plantation, covering nearly 20,000 acres. Nowadays, the pineapples have been replaced with tall brushy grass that shreds even the sturdiest pants. Ask me how I know…
The day after I officially completed my 35th trip around the sun, we set out in search of our deer. Our hunting package included two bucks and one doe. One buck for me, the doe and second buck for my husband.
Stepping out of the truck into the pre-dawn mist felt equally familiar and foreign at the same time. Contrary to most other hunts I’ve been on, we didn’t bundle up in layers of thick wool. We instead dressed in light breathable tops and hiking pants with hopes of not sweating completely through the fabric.
The temperatures were pleasant as the sun rose out of the rippling ocean to the east, joining a few pillowy soft clouds. Once we entered the fields, it wasn’t long before we caught glimpses of our quarry. After assessing a few prospects for about an hour, we finally zeroed in on a mature buck with his harem of does. We decided to make a move. I snuck forward, following Alec’s directions as he guided me closer to the group. The dark-antlered buck was among a few does grazing on the brush just outside the airfield. “Whenever you’re ready,” Alec whispered. I tried to steady myself, nervous about the high brush that partially obscured my view, and took my shot. I watched as the red earth erupted above the buck’s back.
A miss.
Before I could even process what just happened, he took his ladies and disappeared over the hillside and out of my life forever.
My heart was pounding in my ears. I blew it. But then Alec frantically tapped my shoulder and whispered to turn to my left. Another beautiful buck arose, undoubtedly startled by the commotion. His antlers were still sheathed in velvet, a soft coating that delivers nutrient-filled blood to growing antlers. I instantly snapped back in to prepare for another shot.
Without a great line of sight to his vitals near the shoulder, I eyed the signature white patch emblazoned across the front of his throat. Breathe. BOOM. This time I didn’t miss.
Admittedly, I didn’t execute the shot nearly as well as I should have. But, nonetheless, we got my deer down and for that I was grateful. His teddy-bear-soft antlers measured just over 30 inches, and he would eventually provide nearly fifty pounds of delicious organic red meat. The rest of the day was devoted to pursuing a good buck for my husband and boy did we find one! His 32.5 inch trophy Axis buck is now proudly mounted in his study at our home in Virginia. I occasionally catch him gazing at it with a small smile on his face, no doubt reliving the experience in his head.
The hunt was a resounding success, and a quick one at that. But in addition to the hunting experience, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of our surroundings.
Being more accustomed to chasing deer in the hills of Oklahoma or Wyoming, it felt so surreal hunting in this tropical paradise. A hunt in the morning led to a dip in the ocean at lunch time. Instead of filling our gloves with heat packs, we enjoyed the gentle ocean breeze drying the sweat on our necks.
When the hunt was over after only one day, we were delighted in the fact that the rest of our trip would be spent exploring the local town, photographing historical landmarks like Shipwreck Beach, and diving with sea turtles off the coast of Maui.
Hawaii captured our hearts in more ways than one. The hunt for Axis deer was a highlight, opening doors and opportunities to learn more about the captivating history that makes this island and its four-legged inhabitants so interesting. A beach lover at heart, I can’t put into words how joyful I felt being able to do so many things outdoors under beautiful blue skies and with the bare skin on my arms exposed to catch the sunlight.
The pursuit of wild game on a remote piece of paradise was not on my bingo card at the start of this decade. But I’m so happy it found its way into my core memories. Because the best things in this life, I’m finding with each passing year, are the things that you least expect and most enjoy.
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