"Worst Pig Hunters in Arizona" Break Through

[rossislider]

For some crazy unknown reason, I had never had a lot of desire or interest in javelina hunting until my oldest son was old enough to start hunting. We decided to give it a go together a few seasons back and failed miserably without so much a seeing a pig. Since that hunt, javelina has become something of an obsession. Unlike most other species I have hunted in my past, where I had friends to go with and coach me (I was not raised in a hunting family), most of this we learned on our own. My son has had four additional javelina tags/hunts. Each time we hunted them, we noticed we were improving slightly and our knowledge was growing. The second hunt resulted in plenty of fresh sign, but no pigs. On his third hunt we finally found a group of pigs, but blew them out as we tried to close the distance. It was about this time that we awarded ourselves the title of "Worst Pig Hunters in Arizona". On our fourth try we got into pigs again, but I didn't get him set up on a very good rest, and he missed his shot(s). This past youth season provided us with our fifth try, and first success. Dang it sure felt good to finally break through. We were able to spot this herd a couple of ridges over within the first 30 minutes of our first day. We closed the gap to 300 yards, and Draysen made a great shot. We had to pack it out of some steep and nasty terrain, but the long awaited victory made it well worth it.

 

These unsuccessful and finally successful hunts were a priceless reminder to me about why I love hunting so much. It was my son and I out spending time together in beautiful country, studying a new animal (to us), learning it's habitats, patterns, etc., growing as hunters, and seeing lots of deer, coyotes, botcats, etc. A big thanks to many on here who have helped us out with coaching and tips along the way. I think (for now) we may actually retire the title of "Worst Pig Hunters in Arizona". We will see, my turn is coming up in a couple of weeks...

 

A dead pig lay on the hill in the background.

 

 

A few more pounds on his bones, and he will be packing out all his own animals AND MINE!

 

The faces of VICTORY!

[rossislider]

Also, I know most of you are saying, "Javelina? Any idiot could do that."

 

Well...

 

[Big Browns]

Great job guys! I wouldn't be so hard on yourself, Javelina can be very difficult to find! They make fools out of a lot of people every year! I love hunting them, but HATE cleaning them!!!!

[rossislider]

Also, as if to mock our past failures, after we got to the pig, took our pictures, called home, etc., and started gutting the pig we heard a noise off to our left. We looked over and had a pig walk about 5 yards from us, stare at us for a while, and walk off.

[AzDiamondHeat]

Well done. Props to Draysen for an outstanding shot!

[More D]

Pig hunting is feast or famine. Just like you I have gone entire hunts without seeing them to bumping into them within 100 yards from the truck.

 

I love it though

[bgshooter]

Well done and congrats!

 

Will be taking my son out in 2.5 weeks for our first javelina hunt. We went scouting this past weekend and saw a couple so we're excited to try and chase them down. Maybe we'll hold on to that title for you after we're done LOL...but hopefully not.

[DUG]

Congrats! It's called making memories. Hopefully your son will be able to tell this story again in 20 to 30 years. Enjoy it while you can, they grow up too fast.

[palivs2hnt]

Well done Draysen and Sean! I know you guys have been after one for awhile! Job well done!

[Coues Sniper]

I think being bad at hunting pigs means you are actually a good hunter. Which would mean your recent success is a sign you are regressing. My advice, get back out there and hunt some Coues and shake off the new found stink pig mojo.

 

Congrats

[rossislider]

I think being bad at hunting pigs means you are actually a good hunter. Which would mean your recent success is a sign you are regressing. My advice, get back out there and hunt some Coues and shake off the new found stink pig mojo.

 

Congrats

It was borderline ridiculous how many coues (a few really nice ones) and muleys we glassed up and watched with nothing but pig tags in our pockets during these hunts.

[WHT_MTNMAN]

Nicely done...I too have not had the desire to hunt them after killing a few but I need to get my two boys out there after them. They need the experience.

[ready2hunt]

Awesome job! The only issue I see is that you kept the meat.

[mattys281]

Congrats on your pig!

 

They can be dang tough sometimes.

[rossislider]

Awesome job! The only issue I see is that you kept the meat.

LOL, I usually process my own meat, but didn't mess with this. Miller's Southwest Processing in Queen Creek does a pretty good deal on javelina. A flat $95 for whatever you want done with it. I did all summer sausage and snack sticks. My buddy did the same last year and it turned out really good.