I killed my first javelina over 30 years ago. I fell immediately in love with these unique creatures and have interacted with them every chance I've had since. There truly is no other creature like them.
Fisrt of all I want to outline the javelinas home range and characteristics. Their home range is very small. They seem to live in small bands that range from two or three all the way to 50 or more in a pack. They'll spend their entire life in a very small area measuring less than 1/4 mile if food and water are available. If you see javelina in an area it is likely that you'll see them in the same general area daily or at least weekly. This makes them easy to target and also for easy demise of the entire herd if hunted hard.
Javelina only have two offspring per year from what I've seen. Most of the time only one of the offspring survive to see adulthood.
Javelina have the poorest eyesight of any animal I've ever hunted although they can spot movement at an easy 100 yards. I'm not sure if it's the lack of eyesight or the inability for their tiny brains to comprehend what they are looking at. If they've seen you move they'll likely become statuesque with one front leg frozen at half step as they gaze directly at with with their hackles raised high on their back. This leads the hunter to believe he's been spoted and the layman hunter will think he's about to encounter the famed "charge".
It simply isn't going to see you if you remain frozen just the way the javelina has. He will completely forget he's seen you if you remain still for a minute or two, even at very short distances. He'll simply carry on like nothing has happened. Sometime the herd will run into the brush triggering the hunter to get up and give chace. The javelina has just beat you at the game! One or several herd member will be just inside the brush waiting to see if a predator is giving chase. Within a few minutes to a half hour the javelina generally return if you've not jumped up to give chase. They always return! It's the chase that generally guarantee's that you won't see the herd again for numerous days or even a weeks.
Javelina have a very tiny kill zone and shots absolutely have to be placed very low and very tight of you will encounter a very long trail with only a very minimal few drops of blood. The biggest mistake I see is that guys try and track a javelina too soon after making a marginal shot. The animal generally jumps from his bed where he would have died and he'll run a great distance before bedding down again. DON'T RUSH A TRACKING JOB!!!!!! Nothing in nature eats a javelina from what I've seen. As long as the night is cool the meat will keep. It's far better to find your trophy than it is to drive him away from the spot he'd have died in. Exercise patience first and foremost!
If you shoot a leader of the pack the pack will sometime stand guard and will defend your trophy. Be very careful or things can get ugly quick!!! Many ,many guys have thought that they were being attacked after they've shot a javelina because they will most likely run a circle popping their teeth and end up running into the place where you are hiding. Remember, they cannot see and they have no idea you are there unless you secumb to fear and start to move. You may very well provoke an attack by accident.
It's been my experience that camo just isn't necessary at all while hunting javelina. I generally wear a pair of regular blue jeans and a green wool shirt while hunting javelina. Hogs on the other hand can see almost exactly what a human sees. You will have to be much more cautious when hunting hogs.
When hunting javelina the main thing to remember is that movement of any kind will likely be seen but not comprehended. Pick a spot to make your shot and commit to that spot. If you are using bait there is absolutely no reason to shoot beyond 10 yards. They will walk within a few yards of you if you will be patient. I like to say "hunt them on your terms, don't hunt him on his terms". If you do this I guarantee you'll be taking home and awesome trophy!
If I can help with any other info just ask. I'm not the most javi savy guy in the world but I have spent a lifetime in pursuit of them here in south and southwest Texas and also Arizona. Can't wait to do it all again in the new year.
CK
Topic: camo for javelinas (Read 1132 times)
