Javelina?

[bunyan]

I have a good non-hunting friend who lives in Tucson Arizona and I may be out to visit sometime this winter.  While she's away at work during the week I was thinking it could be fun to chase some Javelinas.  Anyone persue them in Arizona before?  Ideas?  Comments?  Experiences?  Reccomendations in the area outside Tucson?  Do I need to apply for a tag?  Do I need a guide?  Help get me started, please!

[the Ferret]

I've hunted them there before. Have to draw for tags ....unless you put in early this year I don't think you can.Don't need a guide, but the desert is big and the pigs is small.

[bunyan]

Thanks, ferret.  I'll check the Arizona Wildlife page.  If I'm too late it may still be something to look forward to in the future!

[Chortdraw]

Gross little critters but fun to hunt. There are a lot of them down Tuson way. Usually in someones back yard digging up their flower bulbs.

Chort

[BTH]

San Carlos Indian Reservation. Check out their website. You can buy a Javelina tag direct from them on first come first serve prior to the seasaon. Check out the other reservations as well. It's a little up from Tucson; more east-south east of Phoenix/Mesa. Hunted their last January and about froze during that cold front. My buddy shot a javelina and I missed that one's buddy about 30 seconds later as it ran for it's life right past me at five feet! Those little suckers can scoot! Oh yeah, the Ferret is correct...big desert, little critters. Lots of glassing. Bring a tripod, chair, and good optics. Sign is hard to find but it's all there on the internet for research.

[bunyan]

Thanks guys!  As long as my friend stays in the area (which is likely)  I will be making this trip at some point.  I've been out there a time or two before (not hunting, though) and as an easterner have to say that I totally respect the harshness of that landscape.  Its surreal and beautiful in its own individual way.

[Jack Shanks]

I hunted javelina near Tucson in January of this year. I needed to apply for a tag in October of last year I believe. AZstickman or one of the other guys on here from Arizona could probably help you out better with a place to go as I was on a guided hunt for Mt lion and the javelina was just a bonus animal.

[DesertDude]

I have hunted them in unit 32 & 33 for the last 17 years. about 45 miles north of Tucson. Redant 60/65 is the one who took me under his wing then,  he can fill you in more. The draw is in the first part of Oct. The hunt starts on the first of Jan and now only last about 25 days. Last year it cost about $250 for tags and lic.

Here is a couple of Pic's of the area and Javie
 

 

Any questions give me a yell

Mark

[Roadkill]

I hunted them out of Tucson towards Kitt Peak.  Look at the deer tag situation in Jan as well.  Over the counter-I think-buck or doe and mulie or coues.  We did see some deer between lina stalks.

[Raminshooter]

Bunyan,
Absolute best place to hunt is just outside of town at the base of the Lemon Mtns (Mt. Lemon). There is a state park called Catalina State Park that has hiking trails running through it (topo map is the Oro Valley Quad).  You can hunt there.  There are some jeep roads running up to the base of the mountain and the area has tons of rock formations that are just littered with caves. Just inside the entrance to the park take one of the dirt roads that run off to the right and drive this down to the first major wash you come to. Hike in from here up the old washed out four wheel trail all the way up to the last hiking trail you come to going off to your left.  Hunt this trail very slow looking up towards the mountain and use your glasses a ton and you will find them. I personally saw one group of Javi's in there that had 30 animals in it. I have noticed several guides taking bowhunters into this hot spot.  Check it out for sure as it is close. I killed two in here myself and it is a killer area. Have fun!

[oneshot1]

Also try south of Tucson, toward the Santa Rita, Madera Canyon area, around the pecan orchards, I think AZ still has a HAM hunt and tags are under used, and can be obtaned at the main Game and Fish headquaters on the west side of Tucson out by the Comm.College(good hunting out by Old Tucson also)Oh and while your there, if you like BBQ'ed Ribs, go to the Old Tucson movie set and follow your nose, we would go there just for the BBQ, well worth the price of addmission just for the chance to get some of the ribs there hehehe

[bunyan]

Wow!  Thanks for all the great input!  And I'll be looking in on those ribs!