Jake Muise's Journey in Conservation and Harvesting Axis Deer in Hawaii

TLDR Jake Muise, the founder of Maui Nui Venison, shares his journey from childhood in the Arctic to founding the Axis Deer Institute in Hawaii, focusing on conservation, sustainability, and the humane harvesting of axis deer to address overpopulation issues in Hawaii.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 The episode features a conversation with Jake Muise, the founder and CEO of Maui Nui Venison, discussing his passion for Hawaii, conservation, and the harvesting of axis deer.
07:23 The speaker recalls childhood chores in the Arctic, including shoveling the roof and surfing in freezing waters, before eventually moving to Hawaii.
14:29 The speaker shares experiences of playing volleyball, moving to Nova Scotia, and transitioning to the University of Hawaii.
22:06 The community on Moloka'i values preserving their natural resources and way of life, with a focus on sustainability and caring for all members of the community.
29:45 Jake Muse's journey from a volleyball career setback to founding the Axis Deer Institute and his passion for managing Axis Deer in Hawaii.
37:35 Axis deer were recognized as a threat to Hawaii's ecosystems 100 years ago due to their prolific breeding and lack of natural predators, making them a challenging species to hunt.
45:40 A group of individuals introduced axis deer to the big island of Hawaii illegally, leading to a population boom that poses a threat to the ecosystem.
53:54 Two individuals spent three years hunting for a small population of axis deer on the big island of Hawaii using innovative military equipment to locate them.
01:01:37 The use of innovative military equipment led to increased accuracy in detecting axis deer, ultimately allowing for the successful removal of the entire population on the big island of Hawaii.
01:09:24 Ranchers in Maui sought help to manage tens of thousands of axis deer due to their damaging impact on Hawaii's ecosystems, including competition for resources, disruption of water systems, and degradation of soil and reefs.
01:17:33 A team successfully rescued animals from a lava flow using a live cattle net capture system, despite facing extreme heat and challenges.
01:25:33 A team successfully rescued cows from a lava flow, becoming a rallying point for the local community, leading to the creation of Maui Nui, a company focused on humanely harvesting Axis Deer for food.
01:33:17 The inspection process for harvesting Axis Deer ensures that the animals are healthy and in their natural environment before being rendered unconscious in a zero-stress situation.
01:41:22 Harvesting Axis Deer involves precise shooting techniques and a deep understanding of the animal's behavior to ensure a humane process.
01:49:24 Axis deer are intelligent and selective eaters, which contributes to their extraordinary health and nutritional value.
01:57:06 Jake Muise discusses the nutritional value of axis deer meat and bone broth, highlighting its high protein content and unique fatty acid levels.
02:04:43 Individuals have found value in reintroducing meat into their diets after 20 years by consuming humanely harvested axis deer, contributing to the mission of balancing populations and addressing overpopulation issues in Hawaii.
02:12:44 Donating a significant amount of food during COVID, including 50,000 pounds of venison, highlighted the importance of balancing growth with community service and population management in Hawaii.
Categories: Health & Fitness

Jake Muise's Journey in Conservation and Harvesting Axis Deer in Hawaii

Jake Muise: Humanely harvesting axis deer while alleviating its impact on Hawaii’s vulnerable ecosystems
by The Peter Attia Drive

Browse more Health & Fitness