I don't bear a grudge against the little toots, but would like to hunt them once. I'll do some research and try to find a good tag to apply for here in southern New Mexico. But as I think about a hunt, I think of our late Olney, Texas, friend Randall Weems, "Crazy Horse Consulting," who ran Shoestring Safaris and specialized in javelina hunts.
I'll put in some study time here:
http://www.javelinahunter.com/javelina_university.htm
And I ordered this book from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623..._dt_b_fed_asin_title
I have friends in the Southwest who have hunted the peccaries all their lives and swear the meat can be prepared so as to be quite edible. Looking forward to this.
Even thinking of hunting them with the old Remington Model 8 in .25 Remington that DPCD has painstakingly rebarreled for me.
Sound like a good plan to ponder over the chilly winter days?

I think that Model 8 .25 Rem would be a great choice for javelina. As to table fare, I can't see any reason not to try it. I've never eaten javelina that I recall (might have but blood pressure meds are rough on parts of my memory) but did butcher one after taking it in Balmorhea, TX back in the early 90s. We were there visiting my wife's grandfather, and the little rascals were playing havoc with his front and back yards.

The meat looked good and had no odd smells like some claim. I think part of that thinking may be from improper care and contaminating things with the glands. The same can happen with venison. When I was small, a relative often gave us venison -- and it was always horrible with a strong, gamey smell/ taste to it. (We kettled-cooked it outside for the dogs after a couple bad experiences LOL.)

The javelina I killed in Balmorhea went to a neighbor. He was going to bbq part of it and turn the rest into asada for tacos. Would have loved to have kept the meat, but traveling with a two-year-old, our car was packed with no room for another ice chest.

For my javelina, I used a 686 Classic Hunter with 158 grain XTP handloads. The range was only about 25-30 yards, and he dropped on the spot with a shoulder-to-shoulder impact. That pistol was the most accurate .357 Mag revolver I ever owned, and I still regret parting with it. With the full underlug and 6" barrel, it balanced like a dream. I also liked the looks of the unfluted cylinders.

Javelinas are fun to hunt..perfect bowhunting target too. The last 3 years I have participated in a group traditional bow hunt for javis near Laredo Texas. Big fun..lots of stalking opportunities.

The ones we have killed made fine lunchmeat and sausages. As Bobby mentioned, care must be taken when skinning to avoid contamination from the gland on their back. We use rubber gloves for skinning..and get the meat on ice as quick as we can.

I’ll be headed to Laredo after the first of the year to chase them again.
Have fun and good luck on your hunt.

Hunted with Randall a number of years ago----Fun Hunt! Shot 2 of the buggers, one with a Marlin M62 in .256WM and one with my Win. M43 218B. Both easy kills. fairly short distances. Also shot a turkey with the .218.

Randall cooked the backstraps over a fire pit with Muskete (SP). Would pass on it if offered again!

Hip

Have had a pair at my stands several times this year but have never seen them in person.

I was raised on West Texas ranches in the big bend country of Texas and on ranches I leased in South Texas and the Big Bend..I shot them for my dad at 25 cents a piece with a 22 LR I bet Ive killed 300 or more as they tore up ceder post fences and miles of plastic pipeline, no season back in the day and last ranch I had leased had a 6Mo. season and I think that may still be in effect..A young Javelina is good Bar B Que over mesquite wood, be careful cutting out the musk gland on the hip, it's a must if you plan on eating a Javelina. They are all over south and Southwest Texas, 100% is the norm for success on most ranches..I never had any problem with a 22, but a 222 or 25 Rem would certainly be an excellent choice and Ive used the 25-35 on many Javelina..Fun to hunt and raised as a pet make a great watch dog.

Thanks Ray. I would love to hear more about pet javelinas. Friend Jim Taylor has used .22s on them as well.
Y'all have a merry, merry Idaho Christmas!