you guys are exaggerating the stink, we took a couple if javelina this past season and I personnaly cleaned them and they are not that bad .
Desert wolf is correct, they are pig like but they are not pigs , more related to a kangaroo rat than a pig. I have video of my son who took one this year with a 125 yd shot. Pretty cool video, wish I knew how to put it here for you guys to see. He shot it with my .243 and it destroyed the whole front half, I wouldnt reccomend using a .280 or 7 mag or even a 30-06 on them. They are small animals, 30-40 lbs is average. Hunting them with a handgun would be sport, as they are very easily stalked.