Experience with Javelinas?

[Graybow]

Anybody got any tips? I've never hunted them. Going next month. Heard lots of good and bad about them.

[MILNRICK]

Graybow, are you going to spot and stalk or hunt over a feeder? A good Javi (boar or sow) will probably be around 45# ... they don't taste bad and make nice mounts.

Javi's are great for spot and stalk hunts -- their nose and hearing is their best defense. Take a lot of time on a stalk and you'll be in bow range in no time.

Where are you going to hunt?

[Graybow]

Hey Rick,

Goin to a ranch just north of Laredo. The bowshop up here in Weatherford is puuttin this one together. I've never hunted them. Heard they were fun. Always wanted to chase the little "stink pigs!'
I've heard that you have to be very careful with the gland on thier backs. That it will ruin the meat. Have heard lots of conflict about eating them. Some love it. Others hate it.
They do make cool mounts!
Gonna spot and stalk mainly. SHould be fun!

How did you do up in Canada with Taz? Did ya get a bear?

Thanks,
Curtis

[Tomme]

Spot and stalk works well. Just watch the wind and move slow. I think their eyesight is worse than hogs. Certainly a lot worse than deer. Even I was able to do it.

I've also got some great pictures of one that I snuck up on with a camera at the Lincoln.

[Graybow]

SHow a pic of him Tomme. ALways like trophy shots.

[MILNRICK]

Curtis

I hope you're hunting with Perdernal Bowhunts (Jerry Gonzales) if you're Laredo bound because you'll definitely be in for a treat.

The Javelina's scent gland is located along the spine between the hind quarters. There's been alot of talk about the need to be careful so as not to ruin meat, but personally I don't think it is that critical. If you want to play it safe though, skin the animal out before removing the entrails.

As table fare they're actually good on the grill or in the oven. One of the easier recipes is to take a hind quarter and after removing any fat, place it in a roaster bag with a head of chopped cabbage, some onion and potatoes. Pour a bottle of Italian Dressing in it, seal and cook. Follow the roaster bag instructions for heat settings and let'er rip.

Re TAZ: Short version of our week in Jemseg was we saw MANY bears, Millie had one over 450# at 4 yards it never presented a shot opportunity --THE BEAST BEDDED DOWN BEHIND HER on the Friday hunt, she also saw several in the 250-300 class. Since last years bear dressed at 336# she didn't shoot. Me, I saw bears 4 of 5 hunts as well as several moose. We FINALLY caught the RUT in full swing - it was AWESOME. We'll be back this June... same week.

Have fun in Laredo.

[Graybow]

Rick, I take it, that y'all went on a fall hunt. Did you have a moose tag? And did ya get one? Taz has some bears up there! I saw a big one like your wife did, too. And it ruined me!! lol I wanted that bad boy and waited for a chance. Never did see him again. Been there twice. I would go back again in a heartbeat.

[MILNRICK]

Graybow

Actually we hunted the week of 6/17 last year, right smack in the peak of their rut, it was incredible. Millie even got footage of a boar we nicknamed Mohawk, because with exception of his spine, he was rubbed clean! Non-Res Moose tags are hard to come by. We've entered the draw twice now without luck. Their 3 day season 'rarely' co-incides Fall Bear Season so it's slim pickings.

Mark's a great guy, hard working guide and you're right, he has more bears than you can shake a stick at. He had a couple stands this fall that were averaging sightings of 10 different bears per night -- unbelievable.

Let us know when you're heading to Laredo, we'll try to link up.

R

[Graybow]

Will be in Laredo Feb 21-25th. Still some spots open. Only $135.00. Gonna be a lot of fun.

[Linedawg]

Another thing about javies, if you get busted or spook them with a shot don't panic. If they smell you they will probably move off a ways and then may come back out. If they hear you just hang tight for a bit, sometimes they will come back out. The first time I hunted them we were corning roads and stalking them. I busted a group and figured it was over. I walked out into the road and was thinking of my next more. Suddenly I heard crunching directly behind me and there they were. When I tried to turn to get a shot I busted them again. I moved into the brush and they came back out onto the road and fed past me. There was my first oppurtunity to miss a javie. :lol:

If you corn a road do so lightly. Scatter the corn to keep them moving and to keep them from bunching up. Also, a rabbit squealer can bring them in but have your guard up. When they come to a distress call they are looking for trouble. Any way you go about it javies are a blast to hunt.

Steve