I have a business meeting near Kona, HI in late July and early August 2011. I have an extra day between my arrival date and the start of my meeting. So, I thought I might try a day hunt for something. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? There is always fishing, but I'll be back out there in Feb. 2012 for another meeting, which I'll have several friends attending, so I thought I'd save the fishing for then.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

Eugene Yap used to run a safari outfit over by the volcano. Took a lot of mouflon sheep, hogs and goats. I don't know is he is still hunting there or not but could be worth checking out.

I never hunted the big island. I spent 3 years on Oaho when I was stationed on the USS Willamette. Hunted Oahu, Maui and Lanai. Hawaii actually has pretty good hunting for free ranging goats and hogs and Lanai has a lot of free ranging axis deer. There are suppossed to be some good populations of pheasants and francolin but I never did any bird shooting.

You also may want to check out the Parker Ranch. I know they do hunting trips. Don't know what they cost or what they entail, but they do book them. There is a guy that does trips on Niiahuu but I doubt you could do that in 1 day since special arrangements need to be made just to set foot on that island.

Or, you could try to hook a 1000 pound marlin from a boat or a big Ulua from the shore. Either one will test your strength. Fishing can be unbelieveable if you hit it right.

I finally made it out on a fishing trip in early March last year, only to find out that that is about the worst time of year for the big game fishing - no action at all. And we went out with a local friend with knowledge and experience. So, you might consider doing the fishing during the summer trip as opposed to February.

In addition to the above, I know that turkeys can be hunted as well.

Brian

In addition

quote:

Eugene Yap used to run a safari outfit over by the volcano.

I was thinking that Yap lost his place, but I could be wrong. Seems like he had axis too, maybe blackbuck. I see him at SCI, typically as a patron, not as an exhibitor.

I'm thinking of booking with Patrick Fisher. From what I've read on old posts, etc., he must have been part of the Parker Ranch at one time, but now on his own.

Here is his website: Hawaii Safaris

Looks like he came highly recommended when with the Parker Ranch. We'll see if things have changed.

Thanks for the thoughts,

Pat Fisher has a good reputation, I've never hunted with him. Just chatted on the phone a couple of times. Hunting for Axis deer on Lanai is realy great. PM if you want more Lanai details.

You can also do "do it yourself" spot and stalk hunting on Mauna Kea (Unti A) on the Big Island for goats, sheep, boar and the occasional mouflon for free (except your hunting liscense cost about $100 for out of state). Do not forget to go the Hawaii DLNR site and get your education requirement Exemption number (.https://hunting.ehawaii.gov/hunting/hunting_req.html) so you can get your liscense online before you come.