Post by: dhaverstick on March 09, 2025, 03:25:54 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/TIIb7Xy.jpeg)
There were 10 stickbow shooters in camp, most of them I knew from the United Bowhunters of Missouri. A feller named Russell Hines, from Kentucky, rode down with Dan and me. Dan knew him from a PBS event. We all stayed in the remnants of Fort Holland, which was built in 1918 to help thwart the raids of Pancho Villa and his gang. The story I heard was that the fort was built by WWI German POWs. I think it was decommissioned in 1921.
(https://i.imgur.com/VkCV5oY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tWmcXGX.jpeg)
We were near the Davis Mountains at an elevation of around 5000 feet. The terrain is RUGGED! Using a walking stick is highly recommended to keep from breaking a bone.
(https://i.imgur.com/d9sBbTp.jpeg)
Javelina are tailormade to hunt with traditional archery equipment. One of their favorite foods is prickly pear cactus, so if you find some that have been chewed on, you are in the right place. We would glass for them, but probably found the majority just by listening for them eating and fighting. Their eyesight isn't the best so it is fairly easy to sneak in close to them, provided you can physically reach their location quietly.
(https://i.imgur.com/mM7epaK.jpeg)
We had stalks every day and Dan was the first of us three to bring one back to camp. Tuesday morning, he stuck this dandy boar. It was also the biggest one killed all week with a weight of 57.3 pounds.
(https://i.imgur.com/wpx7ZhA.jpeg)
We did a long walkabout Tuesday afternoon to the top of one particular mountain. While Russell was resting, Dan and I went to explore a bit. 15 minutes later, Russell called to tell us he was stalking one. We arrived just in time to see him arrow it. That javvie had some serious drag marks on him by the time we got him back to the truck!
(https://i.imgur.com/AbGrdaS.jpeg)
It was cold Wednesday morning so we figured the best place to find the critters was where the sun was hitting the mountainsides. Russell worked his way south of Dan and me while we slowly worked our way up the lip of a canyon. We were soon in the thick of feeding javelina and I arrowed this nice boar in short order. We were all pretty positive it was going to beat Dan's in weight but it came up short at 57.1 pounds. The scales used were Dan's so Russell and I still think something hinky went on. Russell ended up killing his second javvie that morning while Dan and I were taking pictures of mine.
(https://i.imgur.com/OVHMz4O.jpeg)
The wind was terrible for three of the days and we ended up being in dust storms just like we've all seen in those old westerns.
(https://i.imgur.com/y5MoFdx.jpeg)
On the plus side, it sure made for some beautiful sunrises!
(https://i.imgur.com/59slLWL.jpeg)
Our group ended up killing 14 and I think the longest shot was 15 yards. My shot distance was maybe 5 yards. I always thought that, pound for pound, the toughest animal I ever hunted was the gray squirrel. Now I believe that crown goes to the javelina. They have a will to live like you can't believe and the environment they live in is harsh, to say the least. I'm looking forward to doing it again next year!
Darren
Post by: glenbo on March 09, 2025, 03:59:05 PM
Post by: rastaman on March 09, 2025, 06:20:26 PM
Post by: Maclean on March 09, 2025, 06:47:19 PM
Post by: arrow30 on March 09, 2025, 09:51:13 PM
Post by: Bowsey Wails on March 09, 2025, 11:04:32 PM
Post by: Terry Green on March 10, 2025, 10:28:55 AM
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on March 10, 2025, 10:36:24 AM
Kyle
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on March 10, 2025, 11:10:39 AM
Post by: dnovo on March 10, 2025, 11:19:29 AM
I was so glad to share the hunt with 2 new guys who had never experienced Javelina hunting especially in terrain like this. It is rugged.
And congratulations to Darren and Russell on their first javies. I'm still waiting on my tips for my guiding services.
Post by: dhaverstick on March 10, 2025, 11:26:20 AM
Darren
Post by: Duker on March 10, 2025, 01:38:13 PM
Post by: Ramjet on March 10, 2025, 06:24:07 PM
Post by: Kyle85 on March 11, 2025, 04:25:42 PM
Post by: Terry Green on March 12, 2025, 02:16:54 PM
Tell us about those rock cabins please.....
Post by: dnovo on March 12, 2025, 04:08:31 PM
The story I've been told is that those building were built by German POWs in 1917-1918. The place is called Fort Holland. It was established as a place to supply our troops with supplies at the border during the Mexican war. The supplies were carried by mule train over the mountains. It's a fascinating place full of history.
There's also a marker establishing it as the last stand of the Apaches in that county where they were defeated in 1880.
If you google Fort Holland there re more pictures and info.
Post by: Terry Green on March 12, 2025, 04:33:51 PM
This is hysterical.... I designed carpet for many years for these type hi-end stores and it is insane what people will pay for a pair of shoes or a blouse!!!!
Post by: Redfeathers on March 12, 2025, 05:29:06 PM
Post by: dhaverstick on March 12, 2025, 05:40:27 PM
There is a book available about the fort and the circumstances around it called "Bosque Bonito: Violent Times along the Borderland during the Mexican Revolution".
Darren
Post by: Terry Green on March 13, 2025, 01:23:50 PM
I'm now wanting to hunt those Davis Mountains and see this "Artwork" I catered to for years.
This is so outrageous its genius. :readit: