KINGMAN – Today, Friday, February 10, kicks off the 2023 statewide ham (handgun, archery, muzzleloader) season for Arizona’s second most popular big game, the Javelina.

For many local sportsmen, it’s time to pursue these creatures, which many call pigs, but aren’t really pigs.

Javelina is a species of peccary, a relative of the peccary, which includes the white-lipped peccary and the chaco peccary. They originated in South America and slowly migrated north. It is now found throughout Arizona.

Peccaries are described on Wikipedia as “medium-sized, pig-like, hoofed mammals of the family Elephantidae.”

Arizona’s Game and Fish Division said:

From what I know, javelinas are regularly seen as far as the Grand Canyon in Unit 9 and, of course, are widely distributed in northwest Arizona. Javelina was seen as far west as Meadview.

Javelinas are often seen in herds of 2 to 20 individuals. You can choose from black, gray and brown colors. They all have a distinct white collar in front of their shoulders, both male and female.

Adult animals – males are called wild boars and females are sows and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Most animals in Mojave County weigh between 25 and 45 pounds when fully clothed in the wild.

Young javelinas, up to three months old, are called “reds” and actually look like piglets. As they age, they develop javelina characteristics, becoming about 19 inches tall and 3 feet long.

Javelina gives birth all year round and has a gestation period of about 145 days. A single sow usually produces multiple reds, but survival rates are low and it is common for one red to reach adulthood.

Javelinas are preyed on by hawks, eagles and even snakes. Coyotes, bobcats and foxes cost a lot more.

Adult javelinas may survive as long as seven years in the wild, although cases of javelinas older than Mojave County have been documented.

The Javelina has a keen sense of smell and can hear well, but has poor eyesight. This is why archery in Arizona is popular among her hunters. A good hunter who finds them at long range can take advantage of the wind and sun to get within a few yards of the group.

Javelinas are commonly found in flocks and are often seen rubbing against each other when seen. This is like a handshake for humans, identifying each animal to the other in the herd. When frightened, the javelina emits a microscopic burst of scent from glands near the animal’s upper hips as it flees. can know where The herd can also regroup once the threat is gone.

The glands are on the skin and should not be touched with hands or knives. The scent is oil-based, so it won’t come off with soap or water. When you skin an animal, the glands come off along with the skin.

Javelinas require a permanent source of water and drink more water in summer than in winter or spring.

Another interesting fact is that javelinas typically live in an area of ​​1 to 1.5 square miles. The areas of these herds are often defined by natural features such as canyons, ridges, or washes.

A knowledgeable hunter who spends time doing pre-season scouting can determine the boundaries of these herds and spot them by the glass.

A good rule of thumb for glazing is: If you’re hiking more than tipping your glass, you may be hunting the wrong way.

A hunter who uses good binoculars or a spotting scope will usually be much more successful than one who simply moves from spot to spot trying to spot the herd near the road.

Make sure the javelina is on a sunny slope first thing in the morning, especially after cold nights. The javelina feeds primarily on plants, but will also eat anything it digs up, including snakes, lizards, and mice.

One mistake hunters make is when tagging javelinas. The tag should be placed through the rear leg gamrel. This means you have to cut open the skin to get the tag through.

Javelina is a good tablefair if you take care of it. When skinning an animal, do not touch the glands. Remove the skin as soon as possible. Wash the carcass, let it cool as quickly as possible, then hang the carcass in the shade.

If you follow these steps, your Javelina will make a great table fair.