Arizona Javelina Hunting: So close yet so far…

Javelina Country
Javelina Country

The morning sun was just starting to lighten the sky as I tiptoed to the top of the bluff where I was going to set up and glass the surrounding hills. I moved from rock to rock and quietly stood at the very top and was about to put down my bow and pack when I heard movement. As I peaked over the edge of the ledge I was sitting on, I could see a small herd of javelina feeding through the brush. Grunting and browsing through the brush, I slipped down behind them and followed them as the moved through the brush with the wind in their face.

Cactus
Cactus

For the next hour and a half, I stalked the herd as they moved over the next couple of hills. I passed up several marginal shots in the 20-25 yard range while I waited for something a little bit closer. Something closer never came. Cactus and palo verde trees kept this little herd safe and before I knew it, one of them circled around and winded me. After the sound of pounding hooves subsided, I was left alone with the sound of the wind rustling through the dry desert.

Wooden bows and wild lands
Wooden bows and wild lands

The beauty of shooting a stickbow is that the hunt becomes very intimate and personal, with the hunter being forced to close the distance between himself and his quarry. No looking through a scope over hundreds of yards across a canyon. No sites to rely on. No triggers. Nothing mechanical. Being in that close on a herd of wild animals is truly a thing of beauty and even though I did not loose and arrow, I feel grateful to be a part of the desert and have a front row seat to viewing God’s creation.

9 Responses to “Arizona Javelina Hunting: So close yet so far…”

    • azwanderings

      Javelina have a bit of different taste, almost musky. Most people cook them up in a chile, stew, or something that masks the scent of them. The couple of different times I had it, it wasn’t too bad. Certainly not venison, but not as bad as many make it out to be. I believe it has to do with how the meat is handled and prepared.

      Ben

      Reply
  1. Greg

    Ben, great story. It felt like I came along with you on the hunt. Thanks for sharing that. you’ll get em next time. Every “almost” is a lesson(s) learned. You’ll be better for it next go-round.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Greg. I hope so. Looking forward to getting back into the hills and finding them again. Hope all is well with you. Take care.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Indy

    Ben,

    Nice story. I too continue my quest for the first Javelina, hopefully this weekend will be the one. If I get lucky I plan to make sausage and chorizo out of mine. Good luck.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Indy. I got lucky and tagged a my first pig last year. It sure would be nice to snag another one this year. Best of luck to you.

      Ben

      Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Kyle. That might be my last day out after javelina. I might be able to squeeze one more in but I don’t know. Thanks for the encouragement. We’ll see if I can make it happen.

      Ben

      Reply

Leave a Reply