Super South Texas Javelina

Every piece of land I travel to for an adventure has its own personality and although I love the heart of the Hill Country, it had been a while since I had felt the soul of South Texas. Every piece of land has its own personality, animals, and experiences even if you have been there before; it’s always different, new, exciting & refreshing. As I headed into deep South Texas my mind and body began to come alive as the prickly land revealed itself to me. I already knew what was in store and I was ready.

…

As I mentioned in my “Just Build It” blog, upon arrival it was immediately time to start constructing brush blinds. After the work was done, the fun was just beginning. Any animal was fair game; doe & buck whitetail, hogs, and my favorite little South Texas animals, javelina or peccary! If you enjoy hog hunting you will love javelina hunting. They are peculiar creatures with their closest relatives being pigs and hippopotamuses. They make a chilling chattering noise with their teeth by popping their jaws that is different than hogs and can be a frightening sound when they are in a pack all chattering together. Javelina also have a pungent smell that has earned them the name of a ‘skunk pig’ from the musk gland on their back. However, with all that evil they are a blast to hunt.

…

The deer I was hunting seemed to have met before my hunts and teamed up against me; every tiny opportunity I had was ruined by another deer walking up behind the one I was hoping to harvest or a stealth deer busting me mid draw, oh well that’s hunting. Luckily the weather was gorgeous and we were able spend all day outside. As we walked the open senderos looking for these crazy creatures my heart began pounding as a small herd of javelina appeared about 200 yards away. The best thing about javelina for a hunter is the poor vision they possess. Although, they have a great sense of smell, if you can play the wind right you can sneak up on them usually within 20 yards or less; we have even had them walk towards us and creep up about 15 yards away! It was time to get my stalk on!

…

As I kept my eyes on the herd the entire time, I made quick work to cover the distance watching their every move. If they looked up, I froze; when they turned, I sped up. Within a few short minutes I had closed the gap and was within 30 yards. I like to push the envelope and see just how close I can get – there is nothing like being right next to a wild animal, having your adrenaline pumping, and being ready for their next move; it also helps prepare me for other “buck fever” moments, allowing myself to train for good shots while under pressure, heart pounding, hands sweating.

…

As I moved into position, the herd had broken up leaving one lonesome javelina. I stood, drew and he turned broadside and I let my arrow fly! Whack! Straight through, he ran off into the brush and I saw my arrow on the ground. As I knocked another arrow and ran into the brush after him, he was laying under a tree just 10 yards off the road, expired. One down, one more to go! In Texas, a hunter is only allowed 2 javelina per year and with the large population in South Texas, I knew I would get my limit quick! We walked a few more senderos with no luck and it was time for the evening hunt.

…

The next day after the morning hunt for deer it was time to start stalking again. The best part is that we are out exploring, walking, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors, weather, and good company all while looking for some javelina and other animals. As we made our way up and down each sendero I came across another herd. The wind wasn’t perfect but we went for it anyway. As I closed in, I was busted by the wind and they began to disperse. Luckily they didn’t run off too far into the brush but I had to make a move quick. There was a small road off the sendero a little way up where I saw one make a left turn and that’s where I was headed. It was the perfect opportunity because I could sneak around the corner and be right up on him. As I made the turn he was standing just off the road under a small tree. With my change of direction I had the wind in my favor and I kept stalking to within about 12 yards of him; I drew, shot and Whack! Another pass through and he ran into the brush. As I went to retrieve my arrow and search for my kill, I was immediately stopped in my tracks as the javelina ran back across the road into my path making me jump backwards!! WOW what an adrenaline rush that was!! As I stood laughing with my husband who was filming the entire thing we heard him crash on the other side of the road just a few yards in the brush. I found my arrow and then retrieved my javelina! Got my limit!

…

Although I wasn’t able to harvest a whitetail on this trip, stalking javelina was more than enough to satisfy me. With the beautiful South Texas brush, perfect weather, great people, and amazing adrenaline pumping action, my soul was cleansed and my heart was happy…well at least for a few days! As I went back to work, all I could do was daydream about the next time I would breathe in that South Texas dirt and show my respect for its prickly landscape.