Stinking Little Bush Hogs

This is a wonderful time of year, for an archery hunter, here in our beautiful state of Arizona. The mule deer are really starting to rut, and its JAVELINA season. These little gray "pigs" are what I cut my archery teeth on. I truly believe you can get just about anybody hooked on archery hunting by taking them on an archery javelina hunt.

There are many ways to hunt the gray ghost. I have hunted them in ways from spot and stalk to calling them in. I don’t think that there is any wrong way to hunt them because they are all usually successful. I want to take the time to discuss some various ways to get out after these custom made archery hunting critters.

The one thing about hunting these little desert dwellers is that you must have and use binoculars. Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to optics, get the best you can afford. Be sure to try them out as much as possible before you purchase them. A good pair of binoculars must be comfortable for you, because if they are not, you will not use them. Try not to let a salesmen push a pair of binoculars on you that you don’t want. The best advice I ever heard any salesmen give was to a female, and that was, "Maam I suggest you take your time and get the glasses that are the most comfortable to you and your pocket book." Another piece of equipment I believe is essential is a tri-pod. If you are using them together it will GREATLY increase the numbers of animals you will see. I carry a small tri-pod that is light and sturdy. I don’t suggest getting one that is too flimsy, but you don’t want to pack one around that is too heavy either. Again the same rule applies to tri-pods as binoculars.

When it comes to where and how to glass for javelina, you will have to change your habits, just a little, from how you glass for deer. I have found that I see most of the javelina in the lower half of the ridges and mountains. These little guys like to stay near the cover of washes and drainages. When you are glassing you will find yourself wandering, and trying to look at too much-too fast. Take your time, divide the area you want to glass into sections and look over each section very thoroughly. Look under each and every bush and tree. Inspect all rocks and crevices for movement and black spots. Glassing takes discipline, just do you’re best, try and stay focused it will pay off.

Once you get the herd located don’t just start off and stalk. Make sure that you know where the whole herd is. Try and count them, so when you get closer and make your final approach, you don’t get caught by some lone straggler feeding off from the herd. There is nothing worse than getting 50 yards from the herd, after a long stalk, to be busted by a 15-pound runt.

Now that you have counted how many javelina are in the herd, you can start moving. Don’t forget the basics, make sure you have the wind in your face, and that your approach will enable you to use the natural cover to your benefit. Take your time, stopping periodically to glass the herd. The herd might get up and move at anytime, if that happens, try to figure out where they are going and ambush them. But hopefully they will stay put and feed or bush up. Waiting for them to bush up for the day is the best way to get into them. Take your time, move slowly and deliberate. I suggest that you use some kind of stalking feet cover or wool socks once you get into within 100 yards or so. These little guys have hearing that is second to none. I know that their eyesight is poor, but they do pick up movement very easily. When you get to a close distance, watch the javelinas every move. Wait until they are all feeding, or looking away from you, before you move on them. If you take your time and don’t rush things, you should have no problem getting well within bow range. Do your very best to get the animal you want to shoot broadside. Make your shot count! Get them right behind the shoulder, aiming at the lower third of the kill zone. If you get your arrow through both lungs, you will not only find your animal very quickly, but the trail will be very easy to follow.

Now in the event that you mess up the stalk or miss the shot, don’t worry. You have one very powerful tool you can use. Which would be to use a varmint call. I recommend using a Walnut Cased Jackrabbit Call or the Bantam Jackrabbit Call, both are made by Modern Call Products. Don’t worry about how you sound, just try to make it sound very hectic and busy. More times than not you will witness some very fast-paced action. The javelina is a very defensive animal and will come charging back to you with hackles on end while woofing all the while. If you do get this to happen, be ready! (As I said it is fast-paced) I have tried this method when I couldn’t get any closer and it has proven to be successful.

Now that you have filled your tag, what are you going to do with your trophy? Well, eat it I hope. I have heard of many people say that there is no way to prepare them so they taste good. I strongly disagree. Once you have taken your pictures and are ready to start field dressing, try this, you might change your mind about how they taste. First, don’t gut the animal out right away. Start by getting the back legs skinned out to just above the gamble, get the javelina up in the air and skin it. Don’t worry about the musk sack, it will come off with the hide. Now that you have it skinned you can remove the intestines. By doing this, you will keep the animal cleaner and keep the hair off of the meat. The hair has a lot of bacteria along with that musky oil on it, which is what causes that funny taste. Then get your trophy into an ice chest. Rap the hide in a game bag and get it salted so you can take it to your favorite taxidermist. The taxidermist will also like the fact that you have given them plenty of hide to work with for the mount.

Well I hope this helps and that you are successful. I plan on hunting the Camp Wood and the Skull Valley area. Hope to see you out there. One more thing, a javelina hunt is a great opportunity to take a youngster out with you. Get them involved they are our future.

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Louis Urquides, Hunting Editor for AZOD