Arizona Archery Javalina Hunt 2007

by Paul Grube

1-1-07

We woke up early opening morning of the 2007 archery javalina season.  It was about an hour drive to one of our favorite hunting spots in Southern Arizona.  Kevin and Curt had drawn archery javalina tags this year and I was prepared to be the head spotter and sherpa.  Kevin sleepily unpacked his bow and arrows from the back of the truck as the first slivers of light crested the horizon.

We began our steep hike up the hill to gain a vantage point.  After spooking 3 whitetail deer near the top we found a rocky clearing from which to use our binoculars.  This technique, called "glassing" allows the hunter to spot the game from some distance away, then plan out a ambush or stalk.

20 minutes passed when I heard the familiar sound of javalina fighting.  Javalina will sometimes make a half sequel, half growl sound when showing dominance or challenging for position near a desired food source.  I whispered to Kevin to glass the area where I heard the noise.  Shortly, he located a group of at least 10 adult javalinas!   Curt and Kevin gathered their hunting equipment as I checked the wind direction and possible ambush routes that would intersect the javalina's feeding pattern.  I offered my advice on the best route and  the two men began a stalk of about 30 minutes.  Finally Kevin was in position as a large javalina fed down the hill towards him and offered a broadside shot less than 20 yards!  I watched nervously through the binoculars as Kevin drew back his weapon.  Disaster!  As Kevin drew the bow string back the arrow remained harmless, positioned on the arrow rest.  Kevin was trapped because the javalina was in the open now and would see his movement if he returned the bow string to its relaxed position to re-attach the arrow.  I laughed quietly as I watched Kevin try to maneuver the arrow back onto the string using a combination of his lips and strange body contortions.   His attempts while inventive, were ultimately unsuccessful.  Curt was farther down the hill, slowly moving into a position to shoot.  Finally the javalina returned to feeding which allowed Kevin to relax.  He re-nocked the arrow and began to move for another shot.  This time Kevin was not lucky.  The javalinas either heard movement, saw movement or smelled the scent of danger and began to move quickly away from the hunters.  Kevin knew his chance was running away and shot his arrow.  Kevin's arrow missed and struck the rocky hillside.  Curt used a "pig squealer" call to try to lure the animals back into a better position.  The call is an oral device that when blown like a whistle produces a shrill sound similar to a young javalina, called a "red" in distress.  The squealer worked!  Curt drew back for a 35 yard moving shot.  Again, the arrow missed its mark and the javalina re-grouped to form a line quickly moving away from the hunters and over the ridge top.     

Disappointed, but in good spirits we regrouped at the rocky outcropping to try to find more game.  With no luck we began to hike back to the truck when we scared a group of javalina out of their hiding spot under a thick juniper tree and onto the snowy hillside.  This time the javalinas would not offer a shot.  It was an unsuccessful opening morning, but we felt satisfied that we had given our best effort.

UPDATE!

1-4-07

Curt bags his 07 archery javalina!   This time out Curt "still hunts" alone from an elevated rocky perch above a muddy spring where we have observed the javalina drinking. 

"I hiked in at 3:30pm.
Climbed up on the rock and waited it out.
Sure enough, with the last of any light left the first pig came walking in.  I was able to see and get lined up.  Made a good shot.  The Lumenok arrow glowed bright as he ran up the hill, where he expired.
I hiked out with my bow and other stuff to the truck. Then hiked back in with my knife and headlamp.
When I got back it was pitch dark, but I did have to chase away at least one more pig that was still hanging around.  With the Luminox arrow still glowing it was easy to find the pig.  I dragged him out of the bush, field dressed him, threw him on my back and hiked out."

~Curt

 

UPDATE!

1-7-07

"It was another beautiful Arizona evening. Temperature approximately 60 degrees F at 4:00 PM.  Curt and I started hiking into the wilderness.  I was careful not to brush against the many prickly-pear or cholla cactus.  We hiked just over a mile before coming to a small ravine where water had settled from the last rain.  We could see plenty of tracks in the sand, some deer, but more importantly the elusive collared peccary (javalina).  After finding a good area with cover we settled in and waited.  As the time ticked silently by I saw something out of the corner of my eye!  It was coming straight at me, and fast!  It swooped at the last second and landed on top of a nearby saguaro.  Staring at me with huge black eyes was a majestic horned owl.  We stayed there, gazes locked for quite some time, until I heard Curt say quietly "coming in from our left".  Almost as soon as he whispered the words, I could hear the tell-tale sound of a javalina making its way up the ravine. Our planning was perfect, the pig stopped near a patch of prickly-pear just 15 yards from me. I took a slow deep breath and waited for it to tilt it's head down to the roots of the cactus before slowly drawing back on my bow.  I managed to pull back without having my arrow pop harmlessly off the string this time! (See hunt on 1/1/07 for reference).  I aimed carefully just behind the front leg and squeezed on the trigger. The arrow flew perfectly straight off of my Parker bow.  I could even see the Lumenok glowing as it sped towards the target.  Success!  In a furry, the javalina trampled through the brush, first to the left, then straight away, and finally curving around to the right.  I heard the last crash and knew he was down for good.  After exchanging congratulations, Curt and I made our way down to where the last crash was.  He fell only a few yards away from where I hit him.  We field dressed the javalina.  I tossed the javalina over my shoulders and we quietly hiked down out of the amazing Arizona desert."

~Kevin

Archery javalina, AZ photos