Javelina Hunting in the Silverbell Mountains

 This year I was able to draw a Javelina tag for GMU 37A.  This is an area I've never hunted and was excited to explore The Silverbell Mountains.  I didn't have a chance to scout the area but I spent alot of time researching and reading about the unit.  Dad was unable to hunt with me due to work so I would be hunting solo.  I planned a 5 day hunt mostly focusing my efforts in the Silverbell & West Silverbell Mts.  I arrived late in the afternoon after a 40 mile detour because of flooded roads.  Every year I always get rained on at the begining of Javelina season.  I expect it every year now.  After setting up camp,  I climbed a peak near camp to get the lay of the land and enjoy a radical sunset. The next morning I climbed up to the top of a peak a little further out and glassed for a few hours.  The terrain looked like good javelina country but no pigs in sight.  I climbed down and drove a few miles east and climbed into some mountains with a lot of little ravines and glassed some more. After an hour or so of glassing I continued hiking and found an old mine.  The Silverbells are spotted with old mines and two that are still in operation.  I spent the rest of the day hiking up and down the peaks and washes but didn't see much sign.  I returned to camp and relaxed by the fire.  I always sleep better in a tent for some reason and the next morning I was ready to find some stink pigs.  I found another peak to climb and glass from for a couple hours but was only able to spot a herd of desert mule deer. I decided to hunt the Roskruge Mts. that afternoon.  On my way out I was stopped by some federal agents and warned to be cautious camping, always have a gun in reach, and report suspicious activity becuase of all the human and drug smuggling in the area.  That was a little un-nerving.  I continued on to the Roskruges and hunted and explored until late in the afternoon.  I returned to camp and decided to climb into some mountains by camp for the evening and see if a javy would come through.  I found fresh tracks and sign so I started backing out just before dark and planned on returning before sunrise the next morning.  When I hike in and out of my hunting areas I always still hunt (walk 30 paces, stop, look, listen, & repeat).  On my way out I stopped in a wash about a 1/4 mile from camp.  I heard foot steps in the gravel of the wash so I unslung my rifle hoping it was a line of javelina coming my way.  Next, I was surprised and put in a position I've never been in.  A line of 4 UDI's (undocumented immigrants, smugglers) came around the bend and met me face to face!  It takes alot to rattle my cage and that did it! I can admit I was scared.  I had my rifle but no side arm.  The warning from the federal agents immediately jumped in my head.  I stood face to face with the leader like a stand off in a Clint Eastwood western.  We both were not sure how the other would react.  I said "Buenos noches" and told them I was just hunting, wanted no trouble and motioned for them to keep moving.  I cautiously started moving off watching my back trail all the while.  The line of illegals put there heads down and just continued walking.  Unfortunately Arizonas' border issues can make hunting the southern portion of the state dangerous. It is even more dangerous hunting alone.  I quickly made my way back to camp and started packing up to move.  I was not happy about having break camp in the dark and move, but better safe than sorry.  The agents had told me that smugglers will come to your camp and take your food, water, and means of communication.  Because I ran into the UDI's right by camp and I was alone, I couldn't take a chance and stay another night.  I decided to head to the Tortillito Mts about 25 miles away.  On my way out, around 9PM I was tailed by a pickup truck for a couple of miles and started getting nervous.Then a police light bar lit up on the tailing truck.  It was another federal agent.  I've never been so relieved to see police lights behind me!  The agent was in full military BDU's with vest and M4.  I explained what happened to the agent as well as provide GPS coordinates, showed him a video of the event, and showed him the wash on the map.  The agent said I handled the situation well and that moving camp probably saved me from being robbed during the night.  I asked if the Tortillitos' were any safer.  He made a grim face and said "It's all the same in southern Arizona."  I finally found a spot near the Tortollitos' and made camp around 11PM.  The next couple of days I hiked around the Tortillitos' but was unable to kill a javelina this year.  I was raised to enjoy the outdoors and the thrill of the chase.  Even without seeing a single javelina I had a great time.  I have heard alot of disconcerting stories about other hunters experiencing scary encounters with smugglers and I'm glad my encounter was brief.  It was a very surreal moment as the sun surrendered to the night.  I thought about the immigrants, heads down, one foot in front of the other, in the black curtain of the Arizona night.  I escape to the outdoors for reprieve from the daily grind that constantly wears at the spirit.  It was sad to see the UDI's in the desert, but every choice has its consiquences.  I love the Arizona desert and want to protect.  At the end of each day every pouch in my pack was full of trash picked from the desert, left by illegal transients.  It was heartbreaking.  I refused to let that encounter dampen my spirit and enjoyed being in the wilds of our beautiful state.  I was unable to find a javelina to put my tag on, but loved the hunt just the same.  I have those views of the sun bursting from behind the jagged peaks of the Silverbell Mountains burned in my mind.  I don't know where I'll be in the future , but like jumping cholla, Arizona will always stick with me.

This is a Javelina I killed in 2009.  He was a brute!