- Joined
- Sep 25, 2003
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My first javelina hunt came and went so quickly that I barely had enough to reflect. But after sitting down and replaying last weeks events in my mind, I was able to reconfigure and thought I would share.
As most of you know, I went off last week for my first javelina hunt with my huntin buddy One Track. We hunted both 33 and 37, with most of our time being spent in and around 37. The weather for the most part was beautiful.
We set up came Tuesday night and we were out in the hunt by 6 on Wednesday. Most of Wednesday consisted of getting acclimated to the surroundings and looking for sign. If anyone else is heading over..prepare for cactus. Nothing, and I mean nothing, grows without thorns. Thursday found us atop the mountain glassing for both hogs and deer. We spotted a herd of pigs 150 yards from us, and the stalk was on. We took too long in the approach, and they disappeard. Friday, we drove the hour South to 33. We spent the morning glassing for deer, with good results. We saw a couple Coues bucks, and 6 to 10 does. The rut was in full swing. There are so many saddles, fingers and ridges however, that it was impossible to put the bucks to sleep. Friday night Jesse's own "Coues" dropped in to camp. He cooked us up some antelope steaks, which were phenominal.
Saturday we were once again glassing from the peak when we spotted a herd of pigs about a 1/2 mile out. The stalk was on. We crept up until we were just up the hill from them, and then we dropped down to side skirt the hill. The pigs were heading our way. One Track was at the base of the hill near a creek bed, and I was in the middle, next to a game trail lined with cactus. I spot One Track signaling to me that he sees seven pigs. I notice one of them in the creek bed, and immediately I was elated. Finally, One Track would be able to post a story on the sight with a successful kill. The pig was 30 yards away and closing. Then Brent directs my attention toward my game trail. MORE PIGS!! Heading right for me. When I saw the first one he was a 20 yards and closing. I came to full draw and waited for a clear shot. She just kept on coming. Ahead of me was a small outcrop that the pig had to cross over to stay on the game trail. It was no more than 12 feet away. This was it, the moment I had been preparing for. She stepped to the opening and I let it fly. Instantaneously, 15 to 20 pigs sprint in all different directions. I here Brent ask, "did you hit 'em?" I replied, "I dont know?"
I never even saw the arrow. We hit the varmit calls to bring them back in, but to no avail. Immediately there was a blood trail, and One Track came across my blood soaked arrow. He looked up with a big smile and said, "Congratulations, on your first kill!" She made it only 30 yards before she expired. I placed the shot through her heart. It was my first archery kill, and it was everything I thought it would be. Thanks to my buddy and huntin partner One Track. The most unselfish person I know. Also, thanks to Coues at Desert Bull for his scouting reports. This guy put us n the pigs. I highly recommend him. I will post pictures when they are ready. Thanks to everyone for your help with equipment questions and your well wishes. Damn, you would think I had won an Oscar with all of my "thank you's"!
Joe Buck-eye
As most of you know, I went off last week for my first javelina hunt with my huntin buddy One Track. We hunted both 33 and 37, with most of our time being spent in and around 37. The weather for the most part was beautiful.
We set up came Tuesday night and we were out in the hunt by 6 on Wednesday. Most of Wednesday consisted of getting acclimated to the surroundings and looking for sign. If anyone else is heading over..prepare for cactus. Nothing, and I mean nothing, grows without thorns. Thursday found us atop the mountain glassing for both hogs and deer. We spotted a herd of pigs 150 yards from us, and the stalk was on. We took too long in the approach, and they disappeard. Friday, we drove the hour South to 33. We spent the morning glassing for deer, with good results. We saw a couple Coues bucks, and 6 to 10 does. The rut was in full swing. There are so many saddles, fingers and ridges however, that it was impossible to put the bucks to sleep. Friday night Jesse's own "Coues" dropped in to camp. He cooked us up some antelope steaks, which were phenominal.
Saturday we were once again glassing from the peak when we spotted a herd of pigs about a 1/2 mile out. The stalk was on. We crept up until we were just up the hill from them, and then we dropped down to side skirt the hill. The pigs were heading our way. One Track was at the base of the hill near a creek bed, and I was in the middle, next to a game trail lined with cactus. I spot One Track signaling to me that he sees seven pigs. I notice one of them in the creek bed, and immediately I was elated. Finally, One Track would be able to post a story on the sight with a successful kill. The pig was 30 yards away and closing. Then Brent directs my attention toward my game trail. MORE PIGS!! Heading right for me. When I saw the first one he was a 20 yards and closing. I came to full draw and waited for a clear shot. She just kept on coming. Ahead of me was a small outcrop that the pig had to cross over to stay on the game trail. It was no more than 12 feet away. This was it, the moment I had been preparing for. She stepped to the opening and I let it fly. Instantaneously, 15 to 20 pigs sprint in all different directions. I here Brent ask, "did you hit 'em?" I replied, "I dont know?"
I never even saw the arrow. We hit the varmit calls to bring them back in, but to no avail. Immediately there was a blood trail, and One Track came across my blood soaked arrow. He looked up with a big smile and said, "Congratulations, on your first kill!" She made it only 30 yards before she expired. I placed the shot through her heart. It was my first archery kill, and it was everything I thought it would be. Thanks to my buddy and huntin partner One Track. The most unselfish person I know. Also, thanks to Coues at Desert Bull for his scouting reports. This guy put us n the pigs. I highly recommend him. I will post pictures when they are ready. Thanks to everyone for your help with equipment questions and your well wishes. Damn, you would think I had won an Oscar with all of my "thank you's"!
Joe Buck-eye
