That is, when there is 2” of ice covered with 3” of snow, and the forecast is dismal for the next several weeks? Well, if you have a good friend that is a Razorback, you take off on an adventure; heading south for the combined promise of warmth and stickbow opportunities down in the Longhorn State.
(Here’s what I left)
This adventure traces back to the 2008 PBS banquet in Pittsburgh. After the “GOINGs” went and the “SOLD” was called, my friend John found himself holding the high bid to a 2009 javelina / hog hunt in Texas. The hunt highlighted our annual camping rendezvous that summer at the Cloverdale Traditional Nationals. It provided the cornerstone for planning a future Texas hunt. Chasing javelina with a stickbow had long been a hunting goal of mine. Now with an opportunity in my lap, I was not about to let it slip away. So it was that after work on Friday in mid February, I pointed my truck west and headed for Arkansas.
After arriving, the guide took us on the grand tour. Along the way, he stopped and pointed out a javelina. The desert ghost wasted no time in utilizing the thick scrub in which to disappear.
(Javie! )
The Texas scrub was mesmerizing. Mesquite and small oak brush was interspersed with prickly pear and hairy cactus along with a multitude of sticker brush. The ground was rocky and dry. The next morning, it was no surprise to find myself awake before the alarm. I stepped from the bunkhouse and was greeted by the singing of three different packs of coyotes.
(Bunkhouse – really rough’in it!)
After furtive attempts to close the distance on several feeding javelina, we moved to a different area. Soon we found ourselves looking at a tank dam beside a pasture. Three javelinas could be seen scouring the dust for corn from the overhead feeder. There appeared to be a large boar in the group, along with another slightly smaller javelina and a juvenile that sported a pronounced limp.
A disagreement broke out amongst friends as to whose turn it was to stalk. Though I pointed out that I had just recently blown an opportunity, John stood steadfast. I gathered my bow and began to quickly close the distance. A shot opportunity appeared and I pulled back the string, shaking as if this was a world record animal! A bit more tension was applied and the string was released; the arrow flying just under the belly of the biggest javelina. The animals quickly scattered and moved off along the tank dam. I followed and was surprised to find them within range as I top over. A hasty shot again flew low. Shaking and frustrated at my lack of self control, I returned to look for my first errant shot. I confessed my frustration to John and he nodded in mute understanding.
After locating my first arrow, I went to gather my other errant shot. As I pulled this out of a thick scrub bush, I was startled as the javelinas stood up, just 10 yards away. They began to move off and on impulse I nocked the arrow in hand. A couple of steps parallel to their travel exposed a small opening. I watched as the smallest animal moved through this. Then the biggest javelina, trailing, passed through and my shot was fluid and instinctive. I returned to the truck. Expressing concern to John that the shot was a bit back of ideal, I took a drink of water and gave the animal some time.
John assisted with the follow-up, and circled ahead as I searched for blood. His whistle indicated that he had a visual, and I was able to locate the animal backed into some thick cover. After some maneuvering; I made a finishing shot on the boar. John joined me as I admired the beautiful creature that lay at my feet. I gave thanks for the opportunity and then started the drag through the brush. Back at the truck, we quickly loaded up and headed to the skinning shed. The grey overcast had burned off, and the overhead sun threatened to spoil any game left even for a short amount of time. The javelina tipped the scales at 48#. With John’s help the skinning went quickly and we soon had hide, skull, and meat in the freezer.
(A nice 1st ever javie for me)