Mauna Kea Sheep Hunt 2020

Quick hunt on Mauna Kea. No sheep were harmed (or even seen) on this hunt. Some commentary on public hunting in Hawaii

[@exposure8083]

Beautiful footage keep up the great work on the videos

[@blaineparker8733]

Hey Ryan, appreciate your candid views on whats happening on the Mountain. I used to live on Oahu years ago as a kid and always wanted to hunt the Big Island and this summer I have a chance to hunt. After hearing your story, wondering if i should bother to bring my rifle. I would appreciate any suggestions for public hunting. Mahalo

[@bdumlao817]

Amen Ryan! I grew up hunting on the Mauna and Pohakuloa. And over the years... it just seems the state and military do anything they can to just take over somehow and keep us hunters and gatherers at bay. If I had it my way I’d rather hunt then spend $ and pay taxes at a super market that’s made for there advantage for tax revenues.

[@blaineparker8733]

Ryan, thanks for moving your replies to Krolelov, super helpful thanks

[@krolelov179]

Great video and some good history insight. What Units are considered the most productive for a rifle hunt on Big Island?

[@ryankohatsu8836]

Depending what species you're trying to hunt. They all can be productive when considering from a specific species view, goats, pigs, sheep. Of all the rifle allowed areas on the big island, Mauna Kea is the only one that is under a court order sheep specific eradication since 79' and aerial shooting as the means the State employs to try to eradicate. So, if sheep is the species, Mauna Kea Unit A would be the last place I'd try a rifle hunt as a newcomer or tourist. For many, it may be the only place they can really try so I guess anything is better than nothing. Just know, for whatever 100,000 acres the unit is, perhaps the population is (if I had to guess) 300-400 spread across it. Very low densities across 3-4k feet of elevation change realistically.

[@krolelov179]

@@ryankohatsu8836 Thanks for your feedback. I'm not particular on the species. I will be staying in Waikoloa. I have 3 weeks in my disposal and I just want to have a legitimate chance on some stalking opportunities. I am guessing Mauna Kea is one of the most open units, easy to glass. I wonder how often you see the goats and the pigs in there? I didn't realize how small the sheep population is. It's a bummer. Btw, great Kuiu outfit. I am a big fan of the brand myself.

[@MrRickyrecon]

Couldn’t wake up for hunting? Pour water in your ear, you wake up every time! A friend showed me that trick.

[@richardmarch2298]

We need to eat too

[@tomwong783]

Read a couple of your post about hunting MK…if you haven’t given up on MK…and still trying…I was wandering if I could join you on MK sometime..LMK how I can contact you…use to hunt MK back in the day…both archery /rifle b4 irratication…1st time w/ my dad when I was 14/15 yo…up at the 11,000/12,000: level…when there were 2 great herds…move to big island recently…

[@ryankohatsu8836]

I hardly hunt at home anymore so I wouldn't count on myself going hunting lately but I think you should just go as they aren't all gone yet. There's still some to find up there.

[@tomwong783]

@@ryankohatsu8836…sad to hear…you seem the “diehard” continuing your search for an elusive prey when they were so plentiful so long ago…admired you for that….not to mention your fight for hunting rights/opportunities so long ignored in Hawaii?..seems to be a privilege sport now…unless you only want to pull a bow…but you take care…

[@ryankohatsu8836]

If nothing else, it's good exercise up there haha! My childhood hunting was kind of "diehard," maybe borderline child abuse to people looking from the outside. I wouldn't have had it any other way and I'm glad my father was hard like that. Our society today is too soft and yes, the opportunities are disappearing year over year. Community can't organize and if they do, honestly are not savvy enough to figure it out; is what it is. I put in my time, money, and effort years ago to learn it and come to the conclusion that I either need tons more money and time or simply others will have to feel the pain to get motivated or discipline to do something. They just don't feel the pain enough like I did to do something. They just simply hunt somewhere else, poach, or trespass haha! I step off of it in good conscience that I did something myself albeit not sustainable. Might just be the way of things I have to accept.

[@tomwong783]

@@ryankohatsu8836…tend to agree…unfortunately Hawaii…politically…is anti- guns, anti- hunting, back in the day we had Buck Tom…who fought for us…he had pronghorn brought to Lanai…sadly when he died so went hunting…like I said I’m back re acquainting myself to the game after some 40 yrs…seem all the commercial entity of hunting got it locked up…area access are all new to me…it’s all a new game…not like it was 40 years ago…but I WILL make it one last hurrah…and head on out…nice chatting with …thanks for taking the time…