Couestracker

I had all 3 tags this year, hunted 37B for 3 days archery only, never got within 100 yds of one. The next week, I got my first ever archery kill (javelina) on a trip to Mexico. Then I couldn't go out on the HAM hunt, I stayed home and took care of Julie after her surgery. So I picked up a leftover general season tag in unit 29 and hoped everything went well with Julies recovery. She's been doing good, so off I went down to the Chiricahuas. I've never hunted javelina there, but have taken everything except a mountain lion and a coatamundi. Opening Day I hiked into a canyon 2 miles, on a "tip" from AZGFD. Didn't see any javelina or sign, even found the one water hole in there, but no tracks. Saturday morning I winged it and drove up into another canyon that had an old mine at the end. I glassed for a couple of hours and spotted a herd 600 yds away as the crow flies, across the canyon and 3/4 of the way up the mountain. Climbed up there after planning my route best as I could figure. When I got up there I had lost view of my landmark and wasn't sure if I was on the right ridge. Lucky for me I used some patience, stood still looking and listening. I thought I heard something in the bushes in front of me, where it dropped off a little into a small drainage. Then I saw them, 1 in the bottom of the drainage and 1 right in front of me behind some brush. They were feeding, but I knew there were more, as I saw at least 5 when I first glassed them. I had stepped up on a flat rock on top of the ridge just before I realized they were right there, so I made sure it was big enough for me to get a good stance. I hooked up my release and waited, looking around for the others. I waited 5 minutes or so, then I saw the one in front of me start walking out from behind the brush, so I drew, it stepped into the open and I released my arrow. I hit it a little far back, but it ran in a circle about 30 yards and piled up. Then all the other javelinas ran over to it grunting and woofing frantically, then started coming at me! I picked up a rock, threw it and started yelling and waving my arms. Then they all charged me, woofing, snorting and grunting. I started to panic...I drew my .45 mag, thinking I don't want to shoot any, but I'm not dying over this either! There were a couple of hawgs in that group of 6 or 7, and they're all coming at me! I actually cocked my pistol, and as the biggest one got within 5 feet, I swung my pistol at it and darned near hit him in the head. He ducked and went past me, but they were still right there, woofing, snorting and grunting - heck they were po'd! I kept yelling at them, then they finally moved off. Wow, what a rush! Well, my javelina was a sow, she weighed 46.5 lbs. After dressing her out, 36.75 lbs. So after never having killed with my bow before January, now I'm 2 for 2 and 2 in a row. Lucky for me it's National Margarita Day and I just happen to have lots of them! Here's a photo from the field; Meanwhile, back at camp; Look what I found down the road from camp;

How many points will it take to draw? What's considered max points? I have 12 points going into the draw next time. I know you can get drawn with minimal points or anywhere in between to max, just wondering what you guys think. Thanks!

It's a L.A.R. Grizzly. It's a lot of fun to shoot! I took last springs javelina with it in 37B.(story link) http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/38490-javelina-with-a-grizzly-45-win-mag/

Nice job on the dog. Congrats!

Good job on the 'yote. Nice rig too. Congrats!

Your prickly pear margaritas would be an excellent accompaniment!

OMG, I'm a taco nut for sure, but these fresh ground javelina tacos were the best I've ever made. Where have I been? Fresh cut roast pieces laid in gutted serrano chili peppers, sprinkled with McCormicks steak seasoning, wrapped in 1/2 slice of bacon and grilled crispy and washed down with beer margaritas....was just awesome!

I have not, but I heard it's totally dead. The ash from the fire has killed everything in the river. I'd call ahead and check first.

That rocks! You called in and shot a double? You da man! Congratulations on your success. Wishin' I could have been out after the rain.....it's always good then. Is that an Arma lite AR 15? NICE!

Super awesome buck man! Huge congrats, glad they could save the mount. (What happened to the cape?) Looks fantastic on the wall.

Well, I guess maybe whomever is going has already left? I picked up a leftover tag for unit 29 and am going down tomorrow mid-day. Taking my bow and .45 cal Winchester Magnum. Maybe my .50 cal Muzzleloader too, just in case. Good luck to anyone reading this that's going.

I finished processing my unit 29 sow. She weighed 46.5 lbs on the hoof, 36.75 lbs dressed. There wasn't any meat lost from the bow shot. I made 5.5 lbs of Italian fennel sausage, 2 lbs of ground for tacos and burgers, and 4.5 lbs of roasts for green Chile and tamales and some serrano chili poppers. So that's 12 pounds of meat out of 46.5 lbs, or 25.8% yield. Believe me, I did not waste anything, although I didnt do anything with the ribs. First ever javelina tacos and chili poppers tomorrow night!

Nice find. Is that a tortoise shell? Does it have a metal tag?

I've started down a road to where I planned on hunting, saw taillights ahead of someone who got there moments ahead of me. Knowing the road dead ended ahead, I chose to go elsewhere. Once I hiked in the dark, down a trail in a canyon while turkey hunting. I was about halfway to where I was going and ran into a couple of other hunters. About that time we heard a distant gobble above us up on the ridge. I talked to them and asked if they minded if I went farther down the canyon a mile or so, figuring they were going to work that bird. I think they were surprised at my offer, but said they didn't mind. Later, I ended up calling that bird in and killed it. I saw those guys later that day and they told me they saw that bird fly over them towards my direction, but they never heard me calling. They thought it was cool I was able to harvest him. Give people a chance, but it's aggravating when they blatantly move in on top of you and are disrespectful.

Ammon did an excellent job at the seminar Saturday! He had a good selection of calls, different slates and strikers, now he makes box calls and diaphragm calls. I got a new slate & striker, 2 diaphragm calls and a box call. They sound awesome! Can't wait to try them out in the woods. Don't forget about the seminar today at Cabelas, 2 PM. It's on turkey hunting strategies. Hope to see you there. Tommy aka Couestracker.

This was the first time I processed it all at once and had a handle on the weight, so I thought I'd share the info. I did forget to mention that I used 15% pork fat for the ground.

Thanks TJ. I carry one of those little Rappel a digital fish scales with me. Amanda asked me once in one of my posts about weighing, it made me wonder if I was over - ranging my scale. This time I also used a big spring scale I keep in with my gamble and tackle (in the trailer). It goes to around 250 lbs I think. Anyway, it agreed with the Rappel scale well. I still want to try your javi sausage, I'll call you next week -we'll trade for my fennel sausage.

Dressed. As in a black tie suit! Didn't know that there are different concepts of "dressed"-only 'cause I never though about it. By dressed, I meant field dressed, which is simply gutted, which is all I've ever done in the field. Usually too hot/not enough shade to do much more with a javi. Even deer just get "field dressed", then to camp for skinning and quartering. I've quartered elk in the field though, they're heavy critters!

The post was edited to reflect the correct date, which is Tuesday March 18th, 7pm. All other information unchanged (STILL FREE!). Hope to see you there.

That's really cool, and great that you volunteered. Thanks for recaping the project for all to see. Hopefully it'll help spark up some interest for others to get involved.

Very nice! Great idea for presents. Congratulations to all of you.

Ditto that!

Very sad news....prayers sent.

It's awesome that you both hunt together! Congratulations to her on a nice javelina. Hopefully you'll both get one next time.

Congratulations! Good job on sealing the deal! Neat that you're getting new folks involved with hunting. Maybe he'll get a tag next time?