Removing the "smell" from Javies

H A Higgins · February 06, 2011, 09:37:00 PM

Will be in south TX in 2 weeks chasing javies and hogs. Four of us from across the nation finally got a hunt put together after talking about it for years. We meet up at the Cloverdale Traditional Nationals about 6 years ago. One of us is from AR, I'm from IN, and the other two are from OH. I am really looking forward to this, as javies are really high on my "WANT TO" list.
Anyway, question is, this is a DIY hunt, we are just paying a trespass fee. So, any words of wisdom on removing the smell from a javie hide? I plan to bring one back and tan it.
Thanks

straitera · February 06, 2011, 10:08:00 PM

If you've never killed a javelina you're in for a treat. Best of luck. You'll need it if you shoot one. They stink...bad. Might call a taxidermist to see what they recommend.

February 06, 2011, 11:05:00 PM

I have heard they are very good eating...never had the opportunity to hunt Javilina. Never heard the stinking story either...

Have a blast! Sounds like a good time.

I think I'll try to do the same some day. Would be nice to meet a few of the gang on a hunt some day..the guys on the "hill bug" thread are talking about that too.

FerretWYO · February 06, 2011, 11:10:00 PM

You have no idea what you are in for. ha ha.

Most important thing is to not cut the sent gland at all ever for any reason. If you cut that gland on a big bore you will need SCBA gear.

They are made for bowhunting though and a lot of fun.

Whip · February 06, 2011, 11:29:00 PM

Yep, just like Randy says. Avoid the scent glands under the skin on the back and you'll be fine. But cut into them and it won't be pleasant.
I think they are fine table fare as well. Take the time to remove ALL fat from the meat and it makes some good eating!

critter69 · February 06, 2011, 11:35:00 PM

Your in for a good time In my opinion they are the perfect critter to bow hunt. As far as removing the scent gland it will come right off as you skin it. There is nothing under the skin. Just dont cut the gland and youll be fine. As far as eating them we make stake medalions out of the back straps and grind the rest into chrizo. Good luck, headed that way my self the 16th. Truly a kick in the pants to hunt.Aim low and forward.

Fishnhunt · February 07, 2011, 12:11:00 AM

They are very cool critters! To be honest I dont shoot them anymore (personal choice). Ever since hogs started showing up en masse I am seeing fewer and fewer Javis. And I love stalking & shooting hogs. Here are some Javis I stalked a while back with the canon (camera). In the final pic you can tell when I got a bit too close

Good luck on your hunt!

iaduckhntr · February 07, 2011, 12:53:00 AM

On the iowa trappers assn. site there's a formula for skunk spray destinking, maby thats what you need, hope this helps.
Dennis

rdoggsilva · February 07, 2011, 01:22:00 AM

Lots of luck on your hunt. They are great eating deep pitted. Just remember that scent gland.

carpenter · February 07, 2011, 05:20:00 AM

The best way to keep them from smelling is to cut their nose off. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.

centaur · February 07, 2011, 08:15:00 AM

If the wind is right, you will smell them before you see them. They smell kinda like a skunk; not all that pleasant. But they are a blast to hunt.
As Randy said, don't even think about getting into that musk gland or you will smell like a javelina for quite a while, and you probably won't be popular in camp.

Night Wing · February 07, 2011, 09:06:00 AM

They are good eating. Because of their eyesight, they're easy to stalk upwind.

I wouldn't worry too much about the smell. I'd worry more about the hundreds of "fleas" you're going to deal with when you kill one.

Wile E. Coyote · February 07, 2011, 09:13:00 AM

The key to making tablefare of them is to make the initial skin cuts for skinning, then change knives and NEVER touch the outer skin again. Only work touching the inside of skin, therefore not transferring skin oils to the meat.

Good luck on that hide. I suggest taking it to a car wash with power sprayer. Hope you have a truck cuz you aint gonna ride in that car again if you put it in there.

MOFISH · February 07, 2011, 10:53:00 AM

Been there and done that, you will have a blast.The musk gland is on the back above the tail but the scent will be all over the animal. Wear rubber gloves and never touch the meat with your gloves or your skinning knife or you will contaminate the entire carcass. As Night Wing said, fleas are a major problem. Take some type of flea spray or powder and treat the entire animal before you start processing and give the fleas time to die or jump off or you will have an unpleasant rest of your trip.

First White Falcon · February 07, 2011, 07:58:00 PM

You have mail!

scedvm · February 08, 2011, 02:45:00 PM

Javelina are very fun to hunt with a bow. They do have a distinct smell to them but quick and careful skinning takes care of that no problem. Do not try to cut the scent gland out it will come off with the skin. I soak the quarters overnight in salted ice water and then process it the next day and it has no bad smell whatsoever and is actually quite tasty. They are not real big so not lots of meat but I usually steak the straps, do one hind quarter in the smoker and sausage the rest. As for fleas, in the handful I have killed here I have not seen even one but I can't speak for TX. Good luck...Shawn

H A Higgins · February 08, 2011, 08:28:00 PM

Folks, appreciate all the encouragement. (All except carpenter! I think I want one with its nose on!) Fishnhunt, beautiful picts! Thanks iaduckhntr for the lead on the de-scent, I might just try and take some of that with me. Heard these are just full of fleas - am told they wash them down with dawn soap when you get them back to camp - no choice, you just do it - to remove the fleas and such.
At 17 degrees here right now, TX is going to be a dream!

Raminshooter · February 08, 2011, 10:38:00 PM

I have been lucky to have been able to hunt and kill javies for seven years in a row in AZ and in all that time I never had a problem with the scent of the hides as long as you respect that scent gland on their back and go easey skinning the animal out. My hides did have scent as that is part of that animals biology but we always were able to keep the hides outside and salted and then we kept them rolled an on ice for the trip home. Never had to throw my coolers away either. Good luck and have fun.

USAFdad · February 09, 2011, 09:26:00 AM

I hunt the little buggers every year here in AZ like scedvm and they truly are perfect for bow hunting. Overall I'd have to agree with scedvm. Never had any stink problem after tanning hides. Don't think they are the best eating beast but they are palatable. We usually make green chili burritos with it. No fleas on any AZ pigs I've killed.

Cool Arrow · February 09, 2011, 09:40:00 AM

Sorry, guess I've become persnickety, but I can't eat em any more, so I don't hunt em .Gotta admit they sure were made for bow huntin.
Larry