I'm going to be hunting the deserts of SW Texas for a few days. While there, if time permits, I'll be trying to get a Javalina with my recurve. Anyone out there have any experience at this? If so I'd love to hear any tips you could offer.

I've never had the opportunity, but I'd like to hear how it goes. Good luck!

Chad

Yes, best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out.

Bob

Only with a compound. Ive shot small hogs with my trad gear. Not quite as small as pickery.

Are you going to be in the Pecos area? If you are, tag a mulie.

Being almost a lifelong Texan, I hate to admit it but I've never hunted javelina. Sure would like to though. I did draw down on a javelina I caught on the 3D course at the public archery range in Phoenix one time. Naturally I couldn't shoot it. I just wanted to be able to say I once had one at my mercy.

From what I've heard from friends who have hunted them, be careful when you skin it. They have a musk gland on their back that'll flat ruin the meat if you get careless. Have a good hunt!

I have taken a few, they can be very "tough", while they are not true pigs they should be treated the same. What I mean is that the shot placement should be tight in as close to the shoulder as possible.The vitial lay really low, and almost forward of the shoulder. It is not too tough to shoot right at the shoulder and get the penatration you seek. Most Javeys can be anchored on the spot by shooting at the spot where the white line comes down just on top of the shoulder,or dead center on that line between the top of it's back to where it comes to it's lowest point, they will let out one bloody scream, and die on the spot.

If you shoot them like you do deer, that pig will travel a lot of distance, and in most cases become food for the coyotes.

i have not hunted them in 8-10 years but did annually for 8-10yrs and had a blast in AZ. the are designed for bowhunting. have a predator call if they spook start using it they think one of their young is in trouble and will come back in all puffed up, popping the teeth , wow what a rush when they are all around you like that.[8D] i got 3 shots one year on same group. put two arrows through bristles on their back ; they are 6" long so alot of air to zip arrows thru. [&:]aim low on their body.
word of caution if call is on lanyard; tuck it in. friend did not and got caught in bow string....ouch.[][:'(]
i miss going there every Jan.

I hunted them with a group of trad guys in South Texas back in March. We had a blast doing the spot and stalk thing. They don't have particularly good eyesight, so it's easy to close the gap to 50-60 yds. But from there it gets tough. They can smellwell and they busted us a few times with their noses. They can also jump the string just as quickly as any whitetail, especially if they can tell something is up. (That was an eye opener for me. I really didn't expect that.) Don't be surprised if you shoot at a jumpy one and it clears 6 feet of ground before your arrow gets there. I shot one that was looking at me 20 yds away. As soon as I released, it spun 180 degrees and took my arrow through its heart on the opposite side I was aiming for.

Our bows ranged from selfbowsto longbows and recurves in weights from the low 40 to the mid 70 pounds. Arrows included everything from lightweight cedars to heavy ash, to aluminum and carbons. They all worked well on shot distances from 6 feet to a touch over 30 yds. Combined, withkilled 16 javies. Only one went unrecovered as I recall, because itwent down inthorny Texas brush too tight and wicked for our group to physically get through.

A word to the wise, stay away from their choppers. One guy recounted how a friend of his was attacked by a group of javies after he took a shot and wound up getting his Achilles tendon and calf muscle torn out. Good luck and have fun. You'll have a blast!