AzHuntingAddict Report post Posted February 14, 2012 I picked up a left over HAM tag for unit 37A and set out to get my first javelina. While scouting I was able to find a decent sized herd close to home. One night after work I drove out to the spot and was walking around looking for sign when I came up on them. I knelt down so they wouldn’t see me, but one got a good look at me and started to woof. Maybe this was a dumb idea, but I started to chew really loud like my brother in-law does when he eats. Two boars from the group started my way to check out what they were missing. I got a little nervous and started to back out. Walking out I looked back to see one of the boars 15 feet behind me......wow he is big. I was stoked to have been that close and then reality hit, I still have 3 days till opening day. How many Javelinas do you see in this pic? Opening day arrives and I find myself walking into the area, just to see 5 other vehicles parked where I was going to park. The heart sank a little with that view of others getting ready to hunt the area. I went in anyways and ran into a few other hunters along the way. I started to get away from the group and spent the morning tracking down the herd. By late afternoon it got hot and I was done. Disappointment set in big time as I walked back to my jeep. I was confident I would get on the herd as I just saw them the other day. Friday was a bust. Saturday I set out to the same spot a little earlier hoping to beat the others hunting the same area. I was surprised to see I was the only one there for the day. I walked along the grass/ tree line looking for fresh tracks. 20 minutes passed by and I looked behind me down the drainage and saw three fuzzy dark spots, and they started to move….PIGS!!! They must have winded me as they took off like a dirty pair of undies. I didn’t see them for the rest of the morning. I decided to get a nap in and let them do the same as it was getting warm again. Mid afternoon I got back into the area and decided I would sit in some cover near where I saw the javelina come out of the tall grass. I was sitting for about 45 minutes when I heard some rustling from the grass. A twig broke and all of sudden the group jumped from the grass line. First thought was, dang these things stink! Then the pounding in my chest brought me back. A boar in sight and ready to drop, one of the others looks my way. Don’t run; don’t run I say to myself. Then they start to feed, sweeeet. I pick one out and squeeze the trigger. The pig drops as a 9mm speer hollow point enters the chest just in front of me. The others scatter in warp speed fashion. I just took my first javelina, and took him with a 9mm pistol! Now I understood how the bow hunters feel when hunting with a bow, being that close to seal the deal. After getting the pig out and blowing my shoulder out (torn rotary cuff), I realized this was a big pig. These are amazing little animals, but a pain in the arse to drag out. My first Javelina. This guy was a fighter, check out the face scar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
izquik72 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Very nice congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azspike Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Hunting javelina with a pistol is always the high point of my year. Actually getting one is even better. Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike S Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Congrats, they are a lot of fun to hunt close up as you discovered. Lip smacking and soft grunts can help out if they get nervous... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 I have a rifle tag in a week or so, if I can get close I'll use the XD on them! Sweet job, they are a blast to hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shanachie Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Nice work and with a pistol none the less. Way to not get discouraged and keep on it. It's good to hear there are Javelina in 37A. I've been out scouting there a handful of times for my upcoming rifle hunt and have yet to spot any. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 How far was your shot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunting6 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Thats pretty cool... congratulations on your pig... I am leaving in a week to try and get the job done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntingAddict Report post Posted February 16, 2012 How far was your shot? 5 to 6 yards. I was up close and personal, and it was exciting as heck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
