← The Peter Attia Drive

#156 - Jake Muise: Humanely harvesting axis deer while alleviating its impact on Hawaii's vulnerable ecosystems

Apr 5, 2021 2h 19m 27 insights
<div><span> Jake Muise is an avid hunter, environmentalist, and advocate for the preservation of Hawaii's natural resources. He is the founder of Maui Nui Venison, a company which actively manages Hawaii's imbalanced population of axis deer by harvesting them as a food resource. In this episode, Jake tells his unbelievable backstory growing up in Northern Alberta before landing in Hawaii on a volleyball scholarship where he fell in love with the islands and the people. Jake explains how axis deer—a non-native species—were brought to the islands and how they have since become imbalanced to the detriment of Hawaii's precious ecosystems. He goes on to explain the incredible lengths that his company has taken to ensure the most humane harvesting techniques imaginable resulting in a food source that is as clean and healthful as can be. Additionally, Jake and Peter examine what makes meat from axis deer one of the most nutrient-dense red meats on the planet.</span></div> <div> <div> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p>We discuss:</p> <ul> <li>Upbringing in Northern Alberta, a diet of moose meat, and learning to surf in Nova Scotia (3:35);</li> <li>How volleyball brought Jake to Hawaii where he met the Molokai people (14:00);</li> <li>Jake's introduction to axis deer (26:30);</li> <li>Pro volleyball in Europe, missing the Olympic team by one spot, and his return to Hawaii (29:00);</li> <li>History of axis deer in Hawaii—how a non-native species came to the islands, and the superpowers that make them so hard to hunt (34:00);</li> <li>A potential catastrophe avoided on The Big Island—The amazing story of how Jake tracked and found axis deer that were secretly brought to The Big Island (52:15);</li> <li>Jake's work helping ranchers on Maui (1:08:15);</li> <li>The detrimental impact of an imbalanced axis deer population (1:10:30);</li> <li>The incredible evacuation of farm animals from lava-locked land due to a volcano eruption (1:17:00);</li> <li>The creation of Maui Nui Venison—going above and beyond USDA requirements (1:27:00);</li> <li>The most humane way to harvest an animal—the unmatched standards Maui Nui Venison uses to harvest axis deer (1:32:00);</li> <li>Why meat from axis deer is nutritionally superior (and tastes better) than other meats (1:46:00);</li> <li>Why axis deer meat is the best option for those reluctant to eat meat: True nose-to-tail nutrition and ethical harvesting (1:58:15);</li> <li>What a truly balanced population of axis deer on Hawaii would look like (2:06:15);</li> <li>Maui Nui Venison's charitable work during the COVID crisis (2:12:45); and</li> <li>More.</li> </ul> <p>Learn more: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/">https://peterattiamd.com/</a><br /> <br /> Show notes page for this episode: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/jakemuise">https://peterattiamd.com/jakemuise</a><br /> <br /> Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/">https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/</a><br /> <br /> Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/">https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/</a><br /> <br /> Connect with Peter on <a href="http://Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Faceboo</u></a><u>k</u> | <a href="http://Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Twitter</u></a> | <a href="http://Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Instagram</u></a>.</p> </div> </div>
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Wild Game for Health

Consume wild game from healthy, naturally fed animals (like axis deer or elk) because it’s hard to be healthier than the animal you’re eating, and this can significantly improve personal health and change perceptions about food.

2. Adopt “Wiegans” Diet

Consider a “Wiegans” dietary approach by prioritizing wild-sourced meat and vegetables, as this combination can provide optimal nutrition and align with ethical consumption.

3. Incorporate High-Protein Bone Broth

Drink bone broth, especially from wild or regeneratively raised animals like axis deer, as it can be a potent source of protein, testing 33% higher in protein per ounce than conventional beef bones.

4. Support Humane Wild Game Harvesting

Support companies that utilize highly humane and efficient methods for harvesting wild game, as this not only provides high-quality food but also aids in ecological balance and invasive species management.

5. Understand Meat Harvesting Process

If you eat meat, take the time to understand the process involved in bringing it to your table, as this awareness fosters a deeper connection to your food choices.

6. Strategic Imperfection in Tasks

In precision tasks with significant consequences, train for strategic imperfection (e.g., a “perfect miss” that causes no harm) to increase safety margins and prevent critical errors.

7. Adjust for Sleep Deprivation

Recognize that poor sleep negatively impacts nervous system function and reaction time; adjust performance expectations and increase safety margins when operating in a sleep-deprived state.

8. Develop Animal Behavior Knowledge

For precise and ethical animal harvesting, cultivate an intimate understanding of specific animal behaviors and subtle cues (e.g., ear dips, nose movements) to anticipate actions.

9. Collect Data for Improvement

Implement rigorous data collection on performance metrics (e.g., proficiency rates, occurrences) to justify operational requirements, identify areas for improvement, and enhance overall efficiency.

10. Reduce Conventional Meat Consumption

Consider reducing your appetite for conventional store-bought meat and opting for smaller, higher-quality portions or sustainably sourced wild game.

11. Practice Nose-to-Tail Utilization

When harvesting animals, commit to nose-to-tail utilization, using not just meat but also hides, hooves, and organs, to maximize the resource and minimize waste.

12. Enhance Local Food Security

Support and develop local food production systems, especially those that manage invasive species, to build community resilience and food security against economic or environmental disruptions.

13. Incentivize Landowners for Management

For private landowners dealing with invasive species, establish partnerships that offer economic value (e.g., payment per pound) for humane harvesting, transforming a liability into a sustainable resource.

14. Utilize Skills in New Communities

When moving or entering new communities, leverage existing skills or learn new ones (like a sport or hobby) as a valuable way to integrate and meet new people.

15. Recognize Hypothermia Symptoms

Be aware that feeling tired can be an early onset of hypothermia; if experienced, immediately seek warmth indoors to prevent further progression.

16. Trust Professional Expertise

In critical or high-risk situations, place trust in the expertise of trained professionals (e.g., pilots, guides), as their experience is crucial for safety and successful outcomes.

17. Understand Animal Superpowers

When hunting, learn and respect each animal’s unique “superpowers” (e.g., pig’s smell, mouflon’s sight, axis deer’s combined senses) to enhance hunting strategy and success.

18. Utilize FLIR for Night Detection

Employ FLIR (thermal imaging) equipment for effective detection and tracking of animals, particularly during nocturnal operations, to gain a significant advantage in observation.

19. Confirm Absence with Advanced Tools

Use advanced detection tools like FLIR not only to locate targets but also to confidently certify the absence of subjects in large areas, streamlining search and management efforts.

20. Optimize Operational Range

In physically demanding tasks with limited time, optimize your operational range (e.g., harvesting closer animals) to maximize overall efficiency and yield, rather than pursuing distant, less efficient opportunities.

21. Respect Diverse Dietary Choices

While advocating for informed food choices, always respect individual decisions regarding diet (e.g., veganism), recognizing that not all meat sources are created equal in terms of quality or ethical considerations.

22. Plan Groceries for Isolation

If living in or moving to isolated areas, plan and collect groceries for extended periods (e.g., 8-9 months) to ensure a consistent food supply.

23. Shovel Roof in Snowy Climates

In regions with heavy snowfall, regularly shovel your roof to prevent excessive snow accumulation that could pose a structural risk to the building.

24. Consider Subsistence Hunting

Explore subsistence hunting as a method to secure a sustainable food source, especially in remote or resource-limited environments.

25. Challenge with Axis Deer Hunting

For experienced hunters seeking a high level of challenge, consider hunting axis deer, known for their acute senses and evasive skills.

26. Subscribe for In-depth Content

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27. Try Maui Nui Venison

If you are a podcast subscriber, head to peteratiyahmd.com/subscribe to learn more about trying Maui Nui Venison as a special benefit.