Bob spotted a group of javelinas on a sendero (road) as we drove by. We piled out of the truck, grabbed our gear and put together a plan. The wind was wrong so we stood at the end of the sendero to see if it would change directions.
After a few minutes, I decided to circle around to get the wind right, but that meant finding a path through the nasty stuff. And let me tell you, everything that grows out of the ground there will either poke you, sting you or cut you.
I was wearing a pair of leather Russell Moccasins with leather soles so I was able to creep back in there pretty quietly. I had to high step a branch and as I set my front foot down, my head moved forward around a bush and I saw at least 4 javelinas milling around. I couldn't believe I had snuck right in on them and they had no idea I was there, within 15 yards.
I've heard that these critters are pretty tough and seen great shots to the boiler room that had little effect on these critters, but when I saw one take a bite out of the prickly pear we've been avoiding like the plague, I knew EXACTLY how tough they are.
I crouched down, the javies worked their way towards me. Man it's thick in here, c'mon, step into an opening. They seemed to conveniently keep putting bushes, cactus and shrubs in between us, amazing.
Then I heard the barely audible thud of a bow releasing an arrow. Mike Yancey had snuck in from the other end and we converged on them. The herd scattered except for one old male, obviously standing point until the rest of the herd escaped. Two more steps and I would have a shot under 10 yards.
I stood motionless, waiting, wishing and praying for the javie to step into the shooting lane before breaking into full speed. As if my wish was granted, the javie made that very mistake and my osage longbow drove an arrow deep into the goodies. The Wensel Woodsman dropped the animal in it's tracks, and thank goodness. I've tracked through this stuff before and it's no fun.
It was sure special to share the experience with so many close friends. Especially with Mike, who built this bow for me last year and he happened to be right there when it all went down. I took this bow out several times over hunting season but things never worked out to get it bloody. Kind of glad now that it held off like it did. Thanks again Mike!
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com
Topic: Bowyer's Journal Southern Experience (Texas hog/javie hunt with pics) (Read 6858 times)
