BowCast Blog

If you have never had a chance to chase stink pigs, you need to make time to come out to Southern NM or Southern AZ to hunt these little guys. They are a perfect animal for a bowhunt.  After reading my story about the Pink Arrow Project, Garth from AZ sent me this story about his recent Javelina hunt.  He wrote the story below.  Great Job !!! - J

I found out about "The Pink Arrow Project" through Mary Hale, who was the Pearson Bow representative. She explained how she became involved and asked me to help where I could.  Since my sister died at the age of 40 from breast cancer, there was no way I could turn down this opportunity. I made a decision to hunt only with pink arrows for the year of 2008.

I already knew I had spring tags for javelina, turkey, and bear in Arizona. I got my arrows in December and had to get sighted in for the Javelina hunt, which opened January 1.  I hunted for 4 days before I got an opportunity at a pig. You see, I like to hunt in the flat country near the town where I grew up, Coolidge. Most hunters seem to like the areas where they can glass to find the pigs. I like to find pigs in their bedding areas, which means I spend very little time standing up. Most of the time, I am on my hands and knees going through the Mesquite thickets.  I have found a technique that works very well, as I have killed 24 javelina to date.

The problem with this method of hunting javelina is there is very seldom a clear shot over 10 yards so, you have to always be ready and because you are so close, any little sound out of the ordinary can spook them.   Because of this, I have learned to mimic the sounds javelina make. From woofing, to smacking my lips, imitating the noise they make when they eat. This makes them curious and very often, they will walk toward me to investigate.

On my 4th day, I was in a thicket and heard javelina very close to me but could not see them. They were coming toward me, but was afraid they would cross into my wind path so, I let out a very small "woof". One of the pigs woofed back at me and about 30 seconds later I could see movement through the limbs.  The pigs were walking toward me but would pass me on my left, which is perfect. All I had to do was, find a hole to shoot through. I found a small gap that would give me about a 12 yard shot, and quietly twisted my body to get ready. The first pig came through, but was further so, there was never a clear shot.  The 2nd Javelina walked toward the opening and as it went behind a tree, I drew and anchored. The pig stepped from behind the tree and stopped and looked at the 1st javelina. I quickly settled the pin behind the shoulder and squeezed the trigger of my release.

The javelina made it 8 yards before collapsing. The distance of the shot was 6 yards.

Thanks,
Garth