FAQ
FAQ
Our Offerings
Our Offerings
Orders & Tracking
Our Methods
Our Offerings
Our Offerings
What makes Maui Nui venison different?
Our venison comes from Axis deer, a non-native species to Hawaiʻi. Numerous and free-roaming, these deer are truly wild until the moment we humanely harvest them using 100% stress-free methods. Because our deer are wild instead of being raised for food, they enjoy a natural varied diet, which means their meat is higher in nutrients and noticeably more delicious.
Can I get a one-time 'Ohana Box?
We occasionally have curated boxes available for one-time purchase, but our 'Ohana Box is only available as a part of our subscription program.
Why should I subscribe?
Subscribing to our 'Ohana Box or Snack products is the single best way to support our mission of balancing Axis deer populations.
Your subscription helps us with field planning and logistics, and guarantees that you will have exclusive first priority access. Box subscriptions are limited, and once they’re spoken for, additional boxes will not be available as our number one goal is balancing populations rather than selling as much as possible. Subscribers also have early access to exclusive add-ons and new products before anyone else.
There are no financial obligations with our subscription program—you may change the frequency of delivery or cancel anytime. The only obligations this subscription brings is the one we have to you, our most valued customers, to the land, and to the deer themselves.
Your subscription helps us with field planning and logistics, and guarantees that you will have exclusive first priority access. Box subscriptions are limited, and once they’re spoken for, additional boxes will not be available as our number one goal is balancing populations rather than selling as much as possible. Subscribers also have early access to exclusive add-ons and new products before anyone else.
There are no financial obligations with our subscription program—you may change the frequency of delivery or cancel anytime. The only obligations this subscription brings is the one we have to you, our most valued customers, to the land, and to the deer themselves.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
We want you to be thrilled with your Maui Nui Venison order—from the taste to the texture to the way it showed up at your door. If for any reason you’re not satisfied, email us at info@mauinuivenison.com and we’ll make it right.
What subscription plans do you offer?
We are pleased to offer 4, 6, and 8-week subscription options for our 'Ohana Box, and 2, 4, 6 and 8-week options for our All-Natural Venison Sticks (10 pack), Peppered Bars (12 pack) and Dog Treats. Subscribing not only saves you money and guarantees access, it helps support our mission in a more sustainable way. You can change the frequency of your subscription at any time from the My Account page.
How many pounds of meat come in the 'Ohana Box?
'Ohana Box includes 4 lbs Ground Venison, 2 lbs Leg Medallions, 3 lbs of our monthly mix of premium cuts -- which will vary between Rib Racks, Rib Chops, Strip Loin, Barnsley Chops, Loin Chop, Tenderloin, Sirloin Steak, Denver Ribs, as well as any new fresh product offerings.
Can I choose what comes in my 'Ohana Box?
The cuts and portions in our subscription Fresh Box were chosen to directly support our goal of helping to balance Axis deer populations on Maui. The cuts included in four 'Ohana Boxes equate to about one deer, making inventory and planning much easier and helping us to stay focused on management and harvesting. By subscribing, you play a bigger role in supporting our mission.
Can I change the frequency of my subscription?
Yes! Log in to your account and click or tap on Manage Subscriptions. You will then see a list of your active subscription orders. Select the Edit button on the subscription that you would like to change, then click or tap on Change delivery schedule and select a new frequency from the dropdowns. Save once complete.
I want to change the products I’m subscribed to. How do I do that?
We’d be happy to help with that. Simply send us an email at info@mauinuivenison.com and we’ll take care of the rest.
Recipe Ideas
Check out our Kitchen & Field blog, where we partner with amazing chefs and home cooks to bring you easy, versatile recipes your whole family will love.
Do you sell rib racks?
Yes, they are available through a Fresh Box subscription as well as in seasonal promotions.
Is the Fresh Box meat frozen?
We flash-freeze our venison moments after processing so it arrives at your home as fresh as it can possibly be, lasts longer and still tastes every bit as delicious.
Is the Fresh Box sustainably packaged?
Our Fresh Box packaging is made up of 100% recyclable materials. Both the insulation and outer packaging can be placed in any paper recycling bin.
How is the Bone Broth packaged?
Our bone broth is packaged in a 16oz. freezer safe, BPA-FREE stand up pouch that can be recycled once rinsed. Please do not microwave bone broth while in the pouch.
Do you sell jerky sticks in bulk, sans packaging?
No, not currently.
Do you offer single cuts?
Yes! Single cuts are offered as a part of our Butcher Shop which restocks monthly. The only way to guarantee future access to these cuts is to become an ‘Ohana Box or Jerky Stick subscriber as they often sell out
Do you offer meat on bones that I can give to my dogs?
Not at this time.
Is your venison safe from Prions/CWD?
We are so lucky that Prions/CWD is not present in Hawaiʻi and with natural isolation and continued vigilance, we hope it stays that way.
Do any of your products contain alliums?
Alliums, or members of the garlic family, are superfoods for some, but can cause sensitivities for others. Our All-Natural Venison Sticks and Peppered Bars contain minimal amounts of garlic powder.
What does it mean to be a subscriber?
A subscriber is a customer who has subscribed to one of our snack or fresh venison products. Subscribers are automatically billed at regular intervals for product that’s automatically shipped to their home.
Subscribers are the lifeblood of our business, and therefore receive perks—such as first dibs on restocks, exclusive new products, and more.
Subscribers are the lifeblood of our business, and therefore receive perks—such as first dibs on restocks, exclusive new products, and more.
Do you sell Gift Cards?
Not at the moment.
Orders & Tracking
Orders & Tracking
Track My Order
You can get your tracking number from your account page. If you don’t see a tracking number yet, then your order has yet to be processed.
Report an issue with my order
Your satisfaction is important to us. Please report any issues directly to us by emailing info@mauinuivenison.com and we’ll be happy to help.
How does my 'Ohana Box stay cold in transit?
'Ohana Box meat is flash-frozen so it’s as fresh as it can be when it arrives at your home. We pack it with dry ice so that everything stays cold until you can bring it inside. While the dry ice may have evaporated by the time it reaches your door and we cannot guarantee frozen delivery, our shipping methods ensure that the meat will remain safely below 40 degrees fahrenheit, per USDA guidelines.
How long can my 'Ohana Box sit outside?
Because your 'Ohana Box comes packed in dry ice, it will be okay to leave it outside for ideally a max of 6 hours even in warm temperatures. However, do try to bring it in as soon as you’re able.
What do I do with the 'Ohana Box meat once it arrives?
Carefully unpack it from the box, wearing gloves so as to not touch the dry ice with your bare hands. Then, pop it into the freezer or thaw some for dinner.
Where do you deliver?
We deliver to all 50 U.S. states. Please note that we are unable to ship Fresh Venison to a P.O. Box.
Do you offer local pick-ups of fresh cuts for Hawaiʻi customers?
With the support of local retailers, we are working to have more fresh cuts available to purchase in Hawaiʻi. On Maui, fresh cuts are available at Ulupalakua Ranch Store. On Oʻahu, fresh cuts are available at several farmers markets and local pick-up options through Forage Hawaiʻi. To see a complete list, please visit our store locator here.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently only ship to the U.S., but are looking to expand our shipping options soon.
Why does my tracking information say Washington? Isn’t this Hawaiian venison?
While all the deer are entirely sourced in Hawaiʻi, they are currently being processed and packaged on the mainland. We are working towards bringing this part of our process back to the islands soon.
Can I choose the day of the week my 'Ohana Box arrives?
Unfortunately we aren’t able to honor this level of specificity yet.
Does someone need to be home to accept 'Ohana Box delivery?
There’s no need for someone to be home, as a signature is not required. However, do try to bring your Fresh Box indoors within 6 hours of delivery.
Can I use a business address for delivery?
You may use a business address for delivery, but it’s not advised. If the business is closed and the courier delivers the following day, your Fresh Box might defrost. If you are a restaurant and want to offer Maui Nui venison to your customers, please contact us.
Do you accept EBT benefits?
Unfortunately, we are unable to honor EBT benefits as payment at this time. We hope to be able to do this in the future.
How long does the venison last frozen/Once thawed/once cooked?
6-9 months frozen, 3 days once thawed and two days once cooked.
If the seal is broken or if there are micro tears and the package leaks once it is thawed, is the meat still safe to eat?
The packaging sometimes separates or gets micro tears in transit with the extreme temperature of the dry ice and movement in transit, but the meat is still great and perfectly safe to eat!
My shipment is not here on the original date promised by the shipper, will the venison be spoiled?
We account for shipping delays. All packages are shipped via two day air and are insulated and on 10-15lbs of dry ice and are good for 5-7 days in the heat of summer.
I've placed orders and/or I am a subscriber and have received emails from Maui Nui and I'm trying to login and it says that no account exists?
You'll need to activate your account. Please look for an account activation email from us or email info@mauinuivenison and we will send you a link.
Our Methods
Our Methods
What is stress-free sourcing?
We’re the only field operation in the world that manages and harvests deer populations using FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) technology. This technology enables us to detect where the deer are as well as eliminate stress on the animals by allowing all inspection and harvesting to be done entirely at night with the deer unaware of our presence. Not only is this more humane, it’s how we’re able to offer meat that is truly wild until the moment of harvest.
How does hunting an invasive species help the ecosystem?
Axis deer are not native to Hawaiʻi, which means they have no natural predators and their populations can grow exponentially. Also, they can be incredibly damaging to native plant and animal species that have not co-evolved with browsing ungulates. In the specific case of Mauiʻs emerging populations of Axis deer, their invasion stage being somewhere between establishment and spread, any management has a short term positive effect. Ensuring our work is an ecological benefit in the long term is why we developed highly accurate survey methods and are working to scale and grow to catch up to population growth. Check out our Mission page for more info.
How can you claim USDA certified?
The first step for USDA certification starts with both federal and state permits that allow for the legal harvest of an exotic (invasive), non-amenable species on private land in Hawaiʻi.
The second step for certification is the actual inspection process, which requires a USDA inspector to be present for the entire harvest process, or ante-mortem, where their primary responsibility is to ensure the animal is in good health prior to harvest and then humanely harvested following strict USDA guidelines.
The third step to certification, called post mortem inspection, requires a USDA veterinarian to double check that every deer was healthy and harvested humanely. They also thoroughly inspect the animal's organs and other internal health markers (like lymph nodes) to ensure the meat is safe for human consumption.
Only after these three steps have been completed can we then stamp the whole carcass as USDA certified. Doing all of this at night, without penning, baiting or interacting with the deer in any way prior to harvest, is what makes our process so unique, humane and ultimately expensive.
We then work with only USDA certified processing plants to take our whole-carcass Axis deer and break them down into the amazing food you see in our fresh, and snack products.
The second step for certification is the actual inspection process, which requires a USDA inspector to be present for the entire harvest process, or ante-mortem, where their primary responsibility is to ensure the animal is in good health prior to harvest and then humanely harvested following strict USDA guidelines.
The third step to certification, called post mortem inspection, requires a USDA veterinarian to double check that every deer was healthy and harvested humanely. They also thoroughly inspect the animal's organs and other internal health markers (like lymph nodes) to ensure the meat is safe for human consumption.
Only after these three steps have been completed can we then stamp the whole carcass as USDA certified. Doing all of this at night, without penning, baiting or interacting with the deer in any way prior to harvest, is what makes our process so unique, humane and ultimately expensive.
We then work with only USDA certified processing plants to take our whole-carcass Axis deer and break them down into the amazing food you see in our fresh, and snack products.
Are the deer farm-raised?
No, because of our innovative harvesting methods, our deer are 100% wild up until the moment of harvest, which also means they enjoy a natural, varied diet rich in nutrients. You can taste the difference!
Is it legal to sell wild game meat in Hawaiʻi?
Yes. Harvesting wild Axis deer on private land in Hawaiʻi is legal but requires both Federal and State permits along with extensive USDA oversight for food safety.
Are the deer wormed?
No. The deer are wild up until the moment of harvest, but every single deer undergoes a thorough health inspection by a USDA veterinarian post mortem.
Are you killing baby deer?
No. We do not kill baby deer. Unlike almost all other deer species, Axis deer are smaller than White Tail deer and retain their spots, so it’s easy to mistake them for babies.
What happens when you kill all the deer on Maui?
We do not believe in or support the eradication of Axis deer from Maui. Our goal has been and always will be to help manage Axis deer populations for the betterment of our environment and communities. We believe strongly in long-term, sustainable, balanced populations of Axis deer in Hawaiʻi.
Jerky Snacks
Jerky Snacks
Why do my All Natural Sticks look different?
Our venison comes from truly wild-harvested venison. The deer vary in size and shape, as you might expect from a wild species. Weather patterns, seasonality shifts, and forage selection introduce additional variance to the meat's color, texture, and flavors.
We use real wood to smoke these snacks. Variation in the smoke and location in the smoker may change color, texture, and flavor slightly.
Unlike most other meat snacks, there are no added dyes or pigments to the meat or casing of our venison snacks. Typically, products leverage those additives to mask variations in appearance. We’d prefer to eat wild regardless of the appearance!
White Coating? As the snacks transition from the smoke process, some sodium or amino acid (tyrosene) may be brought to the surface of the stick. This will appear as a white film or coating on the stick much like what you might see on salami or cheese. Rest assured, it is safe to consume.
We use real wood to smoke these snacks. Variation in the smoke and location in the smoker may change color, texture, and flavor slightly.
Unlike most other meat snacks, there are no added dyes or pigments to the meat or casing of our venison snacks. Typically, products leverage those additives to mask variations in appearance. We’d prefer to eat wild regardless of the appearance!
White Coating? As the snacks transition from the smoke process, some sodium or amino acid (tyrosene) may be brought to the surface of the stick. This will appear as a white film or coating on the stick much like what you might see on salami or cheese. Rest assured, it is safe to consume.
Why do my All Natural Sticks taste different from the last batch?
Our venison comes from truly wild-harvested venison. The deer vary in size and shape, as you might expect from a wild species. Weather patterns, seasonality shifts, and forage selection introduce additional variance to the meat's color, texture, and flavors.
We use real wood to smoke these snacks. Variation in the smoke and location in the smoker may change color, texture, and flavor slightly.
We use real wood to smoke these snacks. Variation in the smoke and location in the smoker may change color, texture, and flavor slightly.
What does ‘Natural Flavors’ mean on the ingredient list?
‘Natural Flavors’ is listed as an ingredient to cover the slight variation in spices that may take place when perfecting the flavor profile of our sticks, and protect some proprietary blend of spices. We use real wood to smoke these snacks, and variation is just part of the curing process, as it is with wild-harvested venison. There is no added MSG hidden in this ingredient listing.
Why are the Jerky Sticks Subscription only?
With the difficulty of wild harvesting, subscriptions help us understand what we need to make with the very limited supply we have. This lets us serve more customers and guarantees that the sticks will always be available to you when you need to restock. You may easily cancel at any time with no penalty or questions asked.
Do you offer samples or smaller packs to try?
We do not currently offer samples or smaller packs. We stand behind the flavor and quality of the Jerky Sticks. If for any reason you don’t care for them, just let us know and we will take care of you.
What possible allergens are present in the processing facility where the Jerky Sticks are made?
- • The only potential common allergens in the facility, but not in our product are Milk, Soy, Fin-Fish (anchovy in a Worcestershire sauce), Wheat and pepper.
- • No tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, etc.
Is there garlic (allium) in either of the Jerky Sticks?
Yes, both the original and peppered sticks contain garlic.
Is there Red Pepper in the Jerky Sticks?
The Original flavor does not contain red pepper, but the Peppered stick does.
Is there Casein (milk products) in the sticks?
No, but the facility we manufacture in does have milk on premise.
What is Encapsulated Citric Acid?
It is necessary for the curing process. Without it the proteins do not gel together. The small amount of encapsulation used in ECA contains palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, or cottonseed oil.
Is there transglutaminase in the Jerky Sticks?
There is NO transglutaminase.
