John O Report post Posted February 6, 2012 We had a blast chasing those tasty over-sized rodents we call javelinas this early season. Headed back to hunt with some good friends in hopes of avoiding the dreaded javelina tag soup. Me and my two boys had tags, mine archery and jr. tags for them. My oldest son couldn't hunt the first weekend because of High School commitments, so I packed up and my youngest son Ryan and I headed out for the 3 hour drive to last year's stomping grounds. It was the last day of archery javelina, and I figured we could get up high and glass the last few hours of the day. Either we could find some for a quick stalk for me, or maybe locate a herd for the next day for his hunt. We got into position at 4:00 that afternoon, and 20 minutes later I picked up a herd about a half mile away. I asked Ryan if we should save them for the next day, or go after them. He insisted we should drop down after them, so off we went. I called Scott, who was on his way home from work, and told him to meet us on the hill and bring his bow. He met us half way in, and after some gentle coaxing, he agreed to come in after them. Typically Scott stays back and watches the action, and is always willing to help others. His son Austin came in with him, and stayed back to watch it all go down through the giant 30X80's. Ryan had never come along archery hunting with me, so he was excited to see if we could get into them. We made it to about 100 yards, and Scott and I decided to split up, and take two routs in, covering both exits in case they scattered. With Ryan right behind me we stalked in, a Juniper between us and the two pigs I could see ahead. I stepped out and had one ranged at 39 yards. I was breathing a little hard from the hike and a little hopped up, so I missed my first shot. The pig ran to the right and gave me a 43 yard shot, and I center punched him. The shot was a little back, but we were able to recover him down the hill a few minutes later. I called Scott, and he had one down too. We just completed the perfect double within 10 minutes of darkness on closing day. AWESOME!!! We were excited to say the least. Not the best photos, but it was dark so we did our best. Nice shot Scott!! Two pigs in one pack Next up was Ryan. We hit it hard the next day, but couldn't locate any. On Saturday, we were able to find a herd about a mile and a half out. This was the same herd I shot mine out of last year, and Scott has named them "The Phantom Herd". They got the name because once spooked they disappear and aren't seen again until the next year. Scott had stayed down low, but was able to find his way back to where we were to help Ryan get in on them. On our way up Scott noticed a mule deer buck bedded across the canyon about 150 yards away, who put his chin on the ground and held still as we walked by. We finally made it to the overlook where we hoped to see them, but they were not there. We set up and glassed for several hours trying to find them bedded or catch some movement. Nothing. We waited them out for over 4 hours. Just before 4 pm Scott picked them up, quite a bit higher than we expected to see them on the face. Ryan and I got geared up, and dropped down the canyon before hiking up to get in position for a shot. Scott's dog Dusty started following us down and really wanted to come, but dogs and javelina don't mix well. Dusty watching us hike down. We made it up about half way, and I could see the area the pigs were in. I set up Ryan prone, with the bipod in front and a backpack under the stock. He got settled in and comfortable. Ryan told me he was steady and ready to shoot. Safety off, and BOOM!! Ryan made a great shot, and dropped it. As you can see, he was a little happy. We hiked up, and Ryan was finally able to see his javelina. A nice female, a little over 50 pounds. After the shot, Scott and Dusty made their way over to us and we took some photos to remember Ryan's special day. We headed back the next weekend to see if we could get one for my older son, but no luck. All in all we had a great time, and felt blessed to be able to enjoy a little corner of God's creation with family and good friends. Two more photos I think are worth sharing. The first is the broadhead exit wound on my Javelina. Like nothing I have ever seen before. We actually gutted it through the exit wound, it was so big. Second, is Scott's javelina head boiled out, with the broadhead still in place from the shot. Turns out he made a perfect head shot from the rear, with the broadhead tip barely exiting the skin through the eye socket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted February 6, 2012 Looks like some good times in the hills chasin stink pigs! The exit hole is wicked! I love the eye socket broad head too! AZP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted February 6, 2012 Great pics man! +100 on that exit hole on the pig, that pig wasn't going anywhere after that! Great shot by your boy as well! Fun times! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted February 6, 2012 That was a great write-up John O. The pictures were great as well and went with the way the story unfolded. Congrarulations to Ryan on a nice shot. The pictures really shows his excitement for sure. Another congratulations to you and Scott taking your archery pigs. Them are some serious looking holes you two put in them. When you say hunting doesn't get any better than hunting with family & friends is an understatement. Sharing the thrill of the hunt and watching as someone puts the smack down on a critter after a successful stock is as good as it gets. I had the pleasure of spending a little, but not enough, time with Scott and Austin and I can tell, you were definitely in good company. Scott never told me he had a pig dog. Dusty looks as if he was enjoying it all as well. Thanks for sharing your hunt and pics. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted February 6, 2012 What a great hunt for all of you. The pics and story were awesome. Congrats to Ryan on his pig and good shooting. Now thats an exit wound! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted February 6, 2012 Thank you so much for documenting the hunt/s so well and sharing! Man, what a blast! Great writeup and congratulations to you all! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted February 6, 2012 Very nice! Congratulations to all. Awesome job on the pics and write up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottAdams Report post Posted February 6, 2012 That was a great write-up John O. The pictures were great as well and went with the way the story unfolded. Congrarulations to Ryan on a nice shot. The pictures really shows his excitement for sure. Another congratulations to you and Scott taking your archery pigs. Them are some serious looking holes you two put in them. When you say hunting doesn't get any better than hunting with family & friends is an understatement. Sharing the thrill of the hunt and watching as someone puts the smack down on a critter after a successful stock is as good as it gets. I had the pleasure of spending a little, but not enough, time with Scott and Austin and I can tell, you were definitely in good company. Scott never told me he had a pig dog. Dusty looks as if he was enjoying it all as well. Thanks for sharing your hunt and pics. TJ TJ, Dusty loves to go pig hunting and deer hunting and even bear hunting. But he only gets to sit up on the bluffs with us and watch. He's not good on the stalks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted February 6, 2012 That was a great write-up John O. The pictures were great as well and went with the way the story unfolded. Congrarulations to Ryan on a nice shot. The pictures really shows his excitement for sure. Another congratulations to you and Scott taking your archery pigs. Them are some serious looking holes you two put in them. When you say hunting doesn't get any better than hunting with family & friends is an understatement. Sharing the thrill of the hunt and watching as someone puts the smack down on a critter after a successful stock is as good as it gets. I had the pleasure of spending a little, but not enough, time with Scott and Austin and I can tell, you were definitely in good company. Scott never told me he had a pig dog. Dusty looks as if he was enjoying it all as well. Thanks for sharing your hunt and pics. TJ TJ, Dusty loves to go pig hunting and deer hunting and even bear hunting. But he only gets to sit up on the bluffs with us and watch. He's not good on the stalks. Sounds like a good partner to have along Scott. Beautiful dog! After I posted that reply I got to thinking about what I had said, "pig dog". Didn't want to give the impression that you were actually using Dusty as a tool for hunting. Glad you cleared that up. Who knows who would have taken it and ran with it. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duckbuster870 Report post Posted March 19, 2012 Nicely done! Love the pics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted March 19, 2012 Great story...Congrats to all. Great wirteup and the pics complete it! I have a 2 year old and 5 month old and CANNOT wait to take them on their first hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
