Application forms to participate in the 2009 Lana'i Axis deer-hunting season, together with instruction sheets, will be available Monday at all Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices statewide.

Due to a recent court ruling, application and tag fees for the 2009 Lana'i Axis deer season have been waived, the DLNR stated.

The deadline for submitting applications will be 4 p.m. Dec. 5.

Interested hunters are encouraged to submit applications well before the application deadline to insure proper processing.

Applications for all hunts may be submitted in person or mailed, to the Maui Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office, 54 S. High St., Room 101, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Lana'i residents only are to mail or deliver their applications to the Lana'i Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office at 917 Fraser Ave., P.O. Box 630661, Lana'i City, HI 96763.

The 2009 Lana'i Axis deer season will consist of three hunts:

The Archery Only Hunt will be held over eight consecutive days, beginning Feb. 21, 2009 and ending on Feb. 28.

The Muzzleloading Hunt will be conducted for two consecutive Saturdays, March 7 and 14, 2009.

The General Rifle Hunt will be held over nine consecutive Saturdays, beginning March 21, 2009, and ending on May 16.