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| Dinner |
It's always fun trying to get close enough to these Javies. Even though they have very poor eye sight, they make up for that with an excellent sense of smell, which if you don't pay attention to the wind, they'll be gone before you even see them.This year the Arizona Game & Fish increased the annual bag limit for Javelina from one per calendar year to two. So, even though I didn't bag one during the January bow season, I still a had a second chance with a rifle tag for the southern part of the state for February. I was a little tied up with work, so I would only be able to hunt for two days ( the last two days of the season non the less). I left right after work on a Tuesday evening and set up my bivy and hit the sac by 11pm and rose before dawn. Getting up early if I'm hunting is no problem!;) That morning I instantly felt content, relaxed, and happy. I love to watch the desert come alive in the morning. The birds start to flutter about, the ground squirrels start to forage, and an occasional mule deer will be spotted grazing. The Desert Silver Leaf glistens with dew as the sun breaks over the mountains. The Desert Mariposa, Mexican Poppy, and Owl Clover start to bloom as the sun hit their pedals, painting a gray landscape into a scene of brilliant color in progress. I sometimes forget to look for my prey! I started out at a small granite mountain that I had killed a huge Javelina in'09 that would make the Arizona record books if I ever get it measured.
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| The Monster I killed in 2009 |
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| Old Ranch from the 30's |
After sitting and exploring that area for a few hours, I decided to just explore a little and visit some ancient ranches I knew about from my previous trip. I love Arizona history and especially the little known ruins and mining camps. A post at the the entrance to this group of old abandoned ranches had an interesting note posted by the land owner. It read to the effect of; "Our family, friends, and old men have enjoyed this land and still occasionally come to ride their horses, but ALL are welcome to hunt, hike, fish, or horseback ride and use the stables. God's land is meant to be enjoyed and respected. Please enjoy respectfully." This is rare due to the fact that some jerks litter and trash our beautiful lands. I have a habit of picking up trash as I hunt and believe that I would be rewarded with an opportunity at the critter I happen to be after. I truly believe it has helped my success rate, but that's not why I do it. It's all of our responsibility to protect and preserve our wild lands. After glassing some hills, ravines, and washes I decide to return to camp and hunt the evening around there. I found a nice small hill where I could glass the flats and washes for pigs. After a couple of hours with no movement I decided to try my varmint call. This is a call that imitates the sound of a rabbit in distress or other small prey in distress usually used to call in coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and occasionally the odd cougar. However, Javelina will eat meat at times and are very curious animals and sometimes will come to a distress call. I started with a rabbit in distress for a short time, no more than about 5 minutes then waited and watched. After about a 1/2 hour I switched to a deer mouse in distress call. Five minutes of calling, I noticed movement in the brush. It was a Javelina! He moved into about 20 yards of me. I had the wind in my face, so he couldn't catch my scent. I had my REM .300 Ultra Mag ready but at that close distance I was worried I'd ruin the meat with such a big caliber. I came up with a plan to use "Big Medicine", the affectionate name I bestowed upon my Ruger GP100 .357 magnum, handed down from my father. I had to close the distance a bit more just to be a little more accurate with open sights. I snuck down the rock and kept a bush between me and him to cover my movement. I got close enough that I felt comfortable making the shot. I waited for him to move to a gap in the brush to make my shot. He slowly inched into the gap, feeling like eternity, I steadied my aim and squeezed the trigger. I didn't even notice the recoil of the "hand cannon" or the loud blast of a magnum bullet because I was so keen to watch my prey. The Javelina dropped to his side and then somehow slipped back into the brush. The light was just starting to fade, so I gave him about 15 minutes to expire before trying to track him down. Javelina are one of the toughest animals in the desert. Even with a 220 grain .357 Magnum Buffalo Bore bullet, which is designed for bear defense, I was shocked he went anywhere! These tough critters also bleed very little because of their tough hide. I began to track him down just as the light was getting low. I first went to the spot he was standing when I shot. No blood. I knew he wasn't going far, but it is always nerve racking tracking down a possibly wounded and extremely ticked off toothy critter that is already known for having a bad attitude. With no blood trail to follow, I began a zig-zag pattern around the area. Stories I've heard from others hunter's of wounded Javelina grabbing a hunters leg and tearing arteries, and ripping up dogs that don't know when to quite ( some fatal ) ran through the back of my head. The sharp canine teeth or "Cutters" can reach over 3"s and are sharpened as they mark their territory by rubbing those daggers on strong wood trunks or posts. They also have built in sharpeners in their jaw socket. Now tracking down an animal like this in the low light had me nervous. They can blend right in to bushes and rocks right next you, and that can be worrisome! After about 3 minutes of tracking I spotted him, and close! His eyes glowed in the light and he was ANGRY!! The shot had pretty much put him down, but he was lunging at me, gnashing his teeth, and jaw popping ( clacking their jaws together hard making a loud crack, a warning. Bears do this as well ). I snuck a little closer for film footage and to put one more shot in the head to end it. I took aim at the fatal point behind the ear, steadied, and lights out. I was so ecstatic to kill another big Javelina and my first with a six shooter! It was so exciting! I respect all the animals I harvest and this one was no exception. The Javelina sometimes gets a bad wrap as suggested by slang terms like "Stink Pig" or "Giant Rodent". They may be interesting smelling critters, but like all creatures it is by design. Their strong scent glands are used to mark family group territories, locate each other, and recognize each other. Their scent glands are also used to tell male Javelina when the stars have aligned & the time is right for more piglets. They also, contrary to much belief, are excellent eating. I love it grounded with chorizo spice, awesome breakfast burritos! He truly was an exceptional, tough, and exciting animal to hunt. I returned to camp and started a small fire to keep me warm as I began to butcher and break down my prize. As the deep darkness surrounded me, I took a moment before packing camp and heading back to town to watch the stars brighten. As far up dust particles in the atmosphere caused the stars to glitter, I thought how much I enjoy this time away. Time to think. Time to work through concerns with a clearer head, and fall in love with Arizona all over again.
Photo Journal
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| Glassing for Javelina |
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| Nice View |
comfy set up :)
