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Javelina
Skull photo courtesy of the Black
Powder Notebook copyright © 2000 B. E. Spencer. Trophy
Selection Javelina trophy quality is judged by skull
measurements ~ measured the same as Bear or Mountain Lion. Greatest Length (without lower jaw)
plus Greatest Width equals score (L+W=Score) Javelina
are not recognized in the Boone and Crockett Club or Pope and Young Record
books. However, they are recognized by the following organizations record
books:
Javelina head. Photo by Shirley Curtis. Click on picture to enlarge.
Selecting a "trophy" animal is not easy.
After one year of age (becoming an adult) it's extremely difficult to perceive differences
between individual Javelina in the field. Use the following to identify/narrow
your selection.
 | Boars skulls are generally shorter in
length but significantly wider then sows |
| Go after older animals. Older animals generally have larger skulls
 | Javelina over a couple years of age will have no
hair on their knees. Javelina generally spend a great deal of time
on there knees digging for tubars. Older animals will develop easily
distinguishable calluses on there knee area. |
| Predator calls. Generally dominant (older) boars and sows come to calls
(as discussed previously) |
| Physical size. Where possible target the largest
animal. Remember spooked Javelina bristle their hair adding up to
6 inches in size compared to an undisturbed state. |
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| If the herd is undisturbed, but moving single file
along a trail, the first animal is generally a sow, the larger dominant
boars can often be found towards the rear of the herd |
| Preseason scouting
| Locate herds/range areas that are at least 1
mile from the nearest road. Less hunting pressure equals longer
life and more Javelina in the 5 plus year of age range |
| Hunt larger herds~Large herd size (12 or more
animals) means minimal hunting pressure and more trophy
animals |
| Hunt desert flats and mesquite thickets.
Areas driven past by most hunters on their way to the "foothills".
This usually involves considerable walking, binoculars are next to useless,
and contains nearly impenetrable cactus thickets-prime Javelina habitat |
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