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.
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.
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.
How does Javelina taste?
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
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.
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
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.
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
Nice job man. You sure find the game out there. I’m sure you’ll connect soon.
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
ive always wanted to bow hunt javelina