I am a first timer at hunting this type of hunt (the Texas shootout) And for Javies. I really want to put my best foot forward for success. If any one can help It would be much appreciated...
Thankyou
Larrymc
I wanted to go, but could not afford it this year, let us know how the hunt goes please.
On another forum we do whats called "live" hunts where we post while we hunt. think im gonna give it a try if i can figure out how to post pictures with my phone....
I went a couple times when it was on the Callahan. IT was a blast. I don't like that you can't shoot a bobcat on the shootout location. We always seen a couple and one guy shot one my first year. The Shoot out isn't just about hunting, it is one heck of a get together. Especially if you can find Bob Sarrells!
Chris Kiefner
Be confident in your setup because you will get shots. Neither javes or hogs are hard to kill as long as you hit them right. Neither have the greatest eyesight nor hearing & I've been within touching distance of javes many times. Both have great noses. If they smell you they're gone. If you see them react to you just be still for a few seconds. I can't kill them anymore because they really stink & I won't eat them. Javes are a delicacy to my Cuban friends.
we had javi kabobs with pineapple, for the most part they were not to bad. One year out of a group of 6 we killed 8 and everyone atleast shot at 2. Some of the guys shot at 3 or 4. Once they get back into the brush it can be hard and dangerous to find them so make sure you put a good hit on them and GIVE THEM TIME TO DIE! Once you hear there jaws pop a couple times you will find a whole new respect for them!
Chris Kiefner
I have gone for several years, as a vendor and hunter. It is the most fun hunting I have ever done.
Javelinas can not see well and are not very cautious. I have had shots from as close as 12'.
I learned that they often travel in groups, and if you shoot, they scatter like a covy of quail. If you have a distress call, such as a rabbit or javellina call, and blow it very hard, loud, and fast as they scatter, many will charge back in your direction and you can sometimes get a second or third shot! When they charge back in they will be clicking their teeth as if to eat you, scary but cool.
Most guys scatter corn on the roads and just sit and wait. If you do scare off a javellina, just sit and wait, they can sometimes come back in only a few minutes.
At the Shootout you can not bring your own corn, you must get it from the folks running the event.
There are rabbits everywhere, take some judos or blunts.
There will be a few vendors there. Bob Sarrels, BlackCreek Bows, Big Jims, and I will be a vendor for hot showers. Please stop by and say hello.
I have been preparing, packing etc for a few weeks, I can not wait to get there. It is a blast.
Here is one I killed that came charging back in when I missed!
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/jave1.jpg)
Thanks for the response fellas. C-scout trust me you will see me if your the guy with the hot showers.
To everyone... thanks again and keep the conversation comeing
You might want to go to the website....texasshoot-out.com. They have some pictures there as well as a guest book.
Oh...I almost forgot im rigging up some arrows and had some questions..(GT trad. 5575).. Is weight more important than foc? is a 140 grains up front good enough?...arrow weight will end up somewhere around 600 grains comeing out of one of two bows with 62-68lb pull. or i can rig em for 45-50 or so lbs with about 225 up front...arrow weight being around 700 gr
John thats got to be the coolest Javi. mount ive ever seen.
I went on my first hunt, javies in Texas, last Oct. I posted a whole bunch of pages about it:
http://oldpharttsarchery.com/shooting-adventures/bigbadwolf/bigbadwolf.html
Some of the material is about building the bow for they hunt and practicing, but if you scroll down there are direct links to the hunt, day by day.
As was said, as long as they can't smell you, it seems good. Twice I had them in groups in front of me for extended time periods. When I shot mine, the group cleared out for about a half hour, then came back. Watch your wind and shoot from something that breaks up your image, doesn't have to be an enclosed blind... brush, tree, stump, whatever. Let 'em get close, they will. Wait for a shot at 10 to twelve yards. The kill zone is really small!
Curtis Keller posted a really good info sheet on javies awhile back. Email me direct and I'll post you a copy: rwightman@mindspring.com
If Curtis gives you any advice at the Shootout, listen!
I wold not worry about weight of bow or arrows for javelinas. I hunt with bows in low 40s and have had no problem killing them if I hit them. If you have never hunted in this area of Texas, you won't believe the thorns! Be prepared, thick boots!
There are hogs there also. The weight of the arrow and bow is more important if you hunt the hogs than the javelina.
Be aware of the fleas and ticks you can get off of javelina.Sometimes you dont realize they are on you till you lie down at night.
Also the javelina have sharp teeth.A friend of mine shot one and had it make a 90 degree turn and come right at him after he shot it.He fell down when the javelina lunged at him and it ended up right between his legs popping those teeth.Anyway he shouted and kicked at it and the javie ran back into the mesquite.My friend had tooth holes in one of his pants legs and also in one of his socks.Luckily the javie did not connect his leg.I saw this whole episode from about 30 yards away and they are fast little buggers.Still kicking myself for not carrying a video camera but 10 years ago no one really carried them.Once we realized my friend wasnt hurt we about ending up on the ground laughing as it was one of the funniest things I had every seen. Javies are great little critters to bowhunt.
Great story Junglecat...I saw a vid on you tube where an archer made his shot and connected only to have the Javi. turn toward him and at the last second turned and ran past him....i dont know how to post links but if you search
Hog Hunting - South Texas Part 2 08
then you should find it, this one kinda got me thinking...
Cherokee Scout, I did plan on hunting pigs and basically anything else i can, thats really why im worried about arrow weight i will prolly take two Trad setups and i cant help but take the compound for a last day last chance kind of thing
Thanks to all
Larry
crossstickspro,
I found the video.Pretty funny and like I said they are fast little buggers.That video proves it.That javie looked like it passed within 2 or 3 feet of the guy that shot it and he definitley had the hammer down when he went by.
Cherokee Scout - that is one of the coolest Javi mounts I have ever seen.
crossstickpro - just find a spot on a straight raod where you can see a ways. An intersection is good also. Corn out the road, sit back in a chair, and wait. If they are in the area they will find the corn. You can stalk on them, usually to within bow range, if you have the wind in your favor.
Bisch
I'd love to try this !!!
There are several primitive users at the Shoot-out. I think they still have some openings for Feb. event.
Nice Bisch thanks, that was in my plans (the crossroads thing) really want to get me a Javi. hopfully I can close the deal
Thanks for all the sugestions guys keepem comeing
This was taken at 2006 Shoot-out. Notice I was wearing rubber gloves. These things are full of fleas and ticks. Carry a short piece of rope to drag or carry them with. One more thing, the people that put on this event are top notch.
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/Javalina.jpg)
So it seams you are a well seasoned shooter of the Javileina. Are you hunting this year or just vendoring. either way. id like get some tips in person...
That was some good, and useful, story tellin' Dick. I've been thinking about those 7th Age Javies. I always enjoy you're posts.
I will hunting and doing the shower vendoring.
I agree with everything said so far. The fleas can be bad. I crawled into a hole with 7 javelinas, to try and retrive the ones I shot with arrows. Big mistake - they were pretty mad and I was covered with fleas for a couple days.
Shoot through the band near their neck - a good tight shoulder shot will get them. If you are behind the front leg as usual, you will have a long tracking job and they don't bleed all that much. Just take out the shoulder for a better shot.
I have my crawling into the hole on video - pretty funny. One came running out and I had to jump over it. Good times and a lot of laughs. :biglaugh:
Thanks acolobowhunter. I'm glad you mentioned shot placement I was just going to go low in the rib cage or weight for a quartered away shot and take out the far shoulder...now i know which shoot to practice..
QuoteOriginally posted by acolobowhunter:
I have my crawling into the hole on video - pretty funny. One came running out and I had to jump over it. Good times and a lot of laughs. :biglaugh:
I bet that would be some good footage....
QuoteOriginally posted by Cherokee Scout:
I will hunting and doing the shower vendoring.
Have you heard if they have filled all the spots yet?
Thanks,
Larry
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm177/WhiteFalcon_photos/DSCN17960739.jpg)
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm177/WhiteFalcon_photos/DSCN17970740.jpg)
Let them cool befor you pick up or the Fleas will get ya. Our group in the Shoot-out pics on the first page.
Grant
There are still spots available as of a couple of days ago. Contact info is at Texasshoot-out.com.
They have been quick to reply to my calls and emails.
C.S. What will be the charge for the showers, and do you have any pics. It will be a great hunt at the Shoot-Out this yeas. We don't need another rainy year. White Falcon
Shower will be $4, you can use a new clean towel for $1 or buy the towel for $2. I have no pictues of the showers. They will be inside a 10x10 EZ UP tent, with a divider with 2 sides providing 98% privacy from one shower to the other, 100% privacy from outside. Total of 2 showers. If the guy in the next shower wants to peek at you, he will be able to with a little effort! (I was thinking about letting women shower free). Thick rubber mats to stand on, a chair and hangers for your clothing. Showers heat with propane, and they get hot. You should not have to worry about cold shower. Each shower has it own separate heating element.
The years I have been there rain has not been a problem, couple of years with a ton of dust and a couple of days of super strong winds.
Really cant wait now....Finally got my arrows flying like darts....even practiced in the harsh wind yesterday....Thanks to all who posted every thing helped me...i even got a good idea for a mount for my first javalena...
Thanks again
Larry
Don't count your chickens before they are shot! Might be bad luck!
These little critters can evade us sometimes.
Crossticks, Bring cloth for hot weather and very cold weather. The temps can be below freezing and in the high 90's. Also bring tweezers and duct tape to remove the thorns. And watch where you walk for snakes. Shake out your boots everytime you put them on to get the critters out, scorpions etc. Also bring rain geat and rubber boots!
White Falcon
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm177/WhiteFalcon_photos/DSCN0338.jpg)
Get some Sevin dust that is used for bugs on rose plants. Carry some with you and when you shoot a javi just sprinkle some of the powder on him. The fleas will be dead or gone. Wait a few minutes before you pick it and you are good to go.
I always put the seven dust on the ground around my tent. I had the fleas get in my tent one year. Also take some tweezers, you will need them.
Seven dust is a great idea. as far as the tweezers go I learned my lesson on that hunting the pub.land around Lake Amistad....
The bows im bringing are about 52 and 62lbs......is the 50 lber enough.
50 lb will get you pass thrus. Bring some blunts and judos for other critters.
Id planned on rigging up some flu flu type arrows so at least I could shoot some stumps and things if the Javies elude me.......is there a such thing as being over prepared
Can not be over prepared.
there should be plenty of rabbits!
Rabbits are made for wooden arrows!!
I do have a bunch of woodys maybe i can find some spined for my black hawk...One last question...is cleaning a Javi like cleaning a pig...i would assume so but you know what you get whe you assume things...
Thanks
Larry
How many hunters do they book?
Yes, it is similar. I will add that at past events there are ranch hands there who will skin your jave for a small fee. I think it was about $10 or so. I let them do mine, fast and easy. If you want it done to save the hide for a full body mount I think the fee was $15.
I will post a picture or two tomorrow of some skull mounts.
I have a skull as well. I could take a picture with my phone and send it to someone if they would want to post it on this thread.
Chris Kiefner
Also remember to stay away from the rear end side and be careful. That is were there stink gland is. You will know when you are near a javi because it will smell similar to a skunk. I have a few times that I smelled them before I seen them. It aides in the recovery though!
Chris Kiefner
I've seen a lot of contradiction in my research some say to immediately take out the "musk" gland....others say it is not necessary because it comes off easily with the skin and the removal doesn't matter because the hair is covered in it any way...What IS the best way if I don't have the ranch hands do it?
Skin, and try not to cut into the musk gland. If you do, wash or use another knife.
Thank you much........
QuoteOriginally posted by Cherokee Scout:
I will post a picture or two tomorrow of some skull mounts.
:readit:
Where they at :clapper: :clapper:
I forgot to post the pictures, just remembered. I will post today.
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/skull3.jpg)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/skull1.jpg)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/skull2.jpg)
kool pix