Gr8 White Jr Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Anybody who knows me knows that I am a javelina nut. I absolutely LOVE hunting javelina specially with a bow. This year it was over way too fast. Opening morning found me at one of my most favorite places on the planet, the rock point where I love to glass from for javelina. Frank (Kaffer62), my traditional javelina hunting partner, couldn't make it out so I was hunting solo. I sat up on my point glassing until about 9:00 when I spotted several javelina feeding on a ridge side about ¾ of mile away. What a sweet sight, game on! I gathered my gear and was off for the long hike to get into position for a stalk. The terrain is very steep and there is quite some elevation change that had to be made to get to the herd of javelina so it took me a good hour and half to get down wind and underneath them. Once I was in position I started my stalk up the steep ridge toward where the javelina had been feeding. I took my time and made sure to be very quiet as I moved in closer. When I got to where I had last seen the javelina they were nowhere to be found. I kept sneaking forward glassing into the think junipers for any sign of the herd but their were no javelina to be found. I was confused and wondering where the herd slipped off to so I circled around and got on top of some cliffs just above where the herd had been feeding. I sat down and glassed below me trying to relocate the herd. After about 10 minutes without seeing anything I heard some brief crying from a piglet. The sound was right below me a couple hundred yards so I stayed put and stared into that direction until I caught movement. There was the herd right where I had just come from. When I passed them to get down wind and then started to make my way up to them, they had started to move down to the creek bottom to get a drink. We must have passed by within 75 yards of each other without knowing it. Hahaha! I'm surprised I didn't hear them as they moved down the canyon side, but the wind was blowing pretty hard and would have muffled any sound made. I watched the herd move up the opposite side of the canyon hoping they would find a place to bed down so I could plan a stalk. They never stopped. They slowly headed away from me stopping every so often to feed briefly before continuing on. I lost sight of them after about an hour as they moved into some thick junipers toward the top of the ridge. I figured they were going to top over into a big bowl on the other side of the ridge where I have seen them many times before so I circled around to get a better vantage point. An hour and a half later I was over looking the big bowl where I thought the herd would be but after glassing for quite some time it was getting late and I decided I better start heading out. I knew the herd would most likely be in the big bowl in the morning so I was confident that I could find them then. I headed out and got to my truck earlier than expected. There was still about an hour of light left so I decided I would hit a few spots on the way out and do some quick glassing. After glassing two locations on the way out there was only one more place I wanted to check before heading home. I parked the truck, got out and started glassing the opposite side of the canyon. As soon as I through my binos up I saw a javelina right in the middle of my field of view. There was a small group of four feeding in the open about a half mile away. My first thought was that I would never make it to them before it was dark. The sun had just set so I had maybe a half hour of shooting light left. I decided to go for it anyway. I took nothing but my bow and I literally sprinted along the canyon side toward the feeding javelina. Because of the wind I had to pass them and then approach them from the opposite side. After getting passed them I dropped down into the canyon and made my way up the opposite side. I moved very fast, staying on my tip toes and taking long strided steps, almost lunges up the hillside. I really was expecting them to hear me coming but I had no choice, there was no time to move in slowly being that I was racing the fast fading light. Once I was level with the small herd and perfectly down wind I started moving toward them. One of the javelina was much bigger than the other three so I kept my eye on him hoping that he would be the one to give me a shot. I closed the distance to 49 yards from the biggest in the group. He was broadside and in the open so I drew my bow back. When I got to full draw he moved behind a bush and started walking directly away from me. I let down my bow and I thought it was over being that I was down to the last 5 minutes of shooting light but I kept with it and moved in closer. One of the other javelina walked by the biggest of the group and there was a small “disagreement” between the two. The biggest pig growled and snapped at the other one chasing it for about 10 yards straight toward me. The chase ended but the pig being chased kept walking in my direction. I knew this was my opportunity so when the pig got to about 20 to 25 yards and turned broadside I drew my bow and settled my pins. He turned and looked right at me but it was too late. I followed through with my release and my arrow was on its way. WHACK!!! He let out a roar as the rage broad head zipped right through him. He ran about 10 yards and stopped. I knew it was over as he started to do the “wobble dance” but he was still on his feet so I sent another arrow through him. He ran forward again and into some bushes. I snuck over to where the first hit was and recovered my arrow and placed it back in my quiver. I moved quietly toward where I had last seen the pig go and there he was, still standing. Man these animals are tough! He was quartering away so I drew back and settled my 30 yard pin right at the last rib and released. My arrow hit its mark and zipped all the way through exiting in front of the opposite shoulder. He took tow lunges forward and did a cart wheel piling up between two bushes. He was down for good and thankfully because another minute or two later and it would have been too dark to shoot. As I walked up to my trophy, all I was thinking was “I can't believe its over already.” This is the same thought that goes through my head every year when I'm putting my tag on another javelina. I wait all year for that special time when I can pursue these amazing creatures with my favorite weapon in hand (bow and arrow) and as always it seems to come to an end way too fast leaving me wanting more. This javelina was an average size boar, probably 3 or 4 years old. I know you really cant tell in the field but I always hope to take a boar instead of a sow just for the reproduction aspect of it. I was aways from the truck and since I went light and left my pack behind I had no flash light. I grabbed my javelina and started my way out. When I got back to the truck I took a few pictures and headed home, thankful for another successful hunt but sad at the same time that it was all over. I usually take pictures through out my hunts but since I was hunting solo and was into action most of the day I didn't have time to take any other pictures but the one with my trophy. Thanks to those who took the time to read my story! I know to some its “just a javelina” but I like to share all my adventures regardless of what Im pursuing! This is my 9th javelina, 6th one with a bow but to me its just as special and just as exciting as the 1st javelina I ever put my tag on. I can never say it enough but a big thank you to Amanda for such an amazing site where we can share our passion and adventures with each other. -Tracy Sorry about the bloody pic. I usually try to clean things up for the pics but it was dark and I didn't realize how bad it looked until I got home and was uploading them to my computer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ibowhuntaz Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Great job Tracy, you own that canyon. It just might be time for a stick and string for you. Ron Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Nice job - a great story to go with it! Sounds like an exiting hunt. I agree, these guys are some of the most fun critters to hunt anywhere, especially with a bow. Next year I might just try the flintlock thing - something I've always wanted to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Great story and congratulations!! Way to get on them fast as the light was fading and nice job finishing him off. Hope you didn't stumble into too many cactus as you were hiking back out in the dark without a flashlight! Since you don't want it to be over yet, maybe you should go down to the 36s and scout out javelina for the women's hunt!! Great way to pursue your passion for a good cause! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaffer62 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Good job again brotha! I wish I could have been there... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Whohoo! Congrats Tracy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Way to stick it out Pig Whisperer. I completely understand your passion for these little guys. Loved your story and your picture isn't bad at all. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kidso Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Great job. We all know those last "five minutes" of shooting light. Lots of things can happen then in a hurry! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr8 White Jr Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Since you don't want it to be over yet, maybe you should go down to the 36s and scout out javelina for the women's hunt!! Great way to pursue your passion for a good cause! Great idea but I still have a deer tag to fill. I have a special little place I have been wanting to hunt and after filling my pig tag early I will finally have that opportunity. I might head down to the 36's in early February to do a little scouting. I can't wait to help out on women's hunt again! -Tracy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Way to go Man! I am iching to get my tag on one of those stinky little suckers this month! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhunter4life Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I am with you, I truly enjoy hunting them with a bow! congrats on #9! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Congratulations Tracy! Read the whole story and felt the time ticking as the sun was setting and getting dark on you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I like blood! Congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I love pig hunting also, but it always seems to end so quickly. Good job on a quick hunt. I shot one opening morning, but my son said he moved right at the shot and just clipped him. No blood trail, and just a bit on my arrow. David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted January 5, 2012 great job!! and nice pig! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
