New Mexico Javelina

[Chama Grande]

Well dang, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one having trouble tracking down these little buggers....

If you're finding bedding sites I think you're on the right track! I was going to head back out for the statewide OTC tag, but it looks like they've sold out for the year so it's looking like I'm done until next Feb.

This guy does a few tracking videos that I found helpful. The desert he's in looks more Sonoran than what we have here, the Chihuahuan, but the pursuit seems to be the same. When I was out, I was doing some walkabouts and following tracks as I found them. After watching this guy, I should have followed them longer than I did.

If you like wildlife science/biology books, I found this one to be based on older material but a fun read. I'm not sure on winter vs summer range, I'd have to go back and check but I don't think there is much of a change except maybe closer to water in summer. The book mentions that the entire herd seems to designate a bathroom, so it sounds like scat might be really concentrated to one spot, and not well distributed like deer or elk do.

Javelinas and Other Peccaries: Their Biology, Management, and Use, Second Edition (Volume 21) (W. L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series): Sowls, Lyle K.: 9781623490089: Amazon.com: Books

Buy Javelinas and Other Peccaries: Their Biology, Management, and Use, Second Edition (Volume 21) (W. L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series) on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

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Welcome to nm!

 

[some_guy]

Thank you, Chama Grande! This is great info. I'm going to check out the book. I'm sure we've got a copy at the university. Here are some images of the abundant Javelina sign that I've come across.... The cattle seems to love parking and sh!tting on saddles, as they are always filled with cow pies, and the Javelina seem to leave no pie unturned.

Time to get back out and put in more miles.

 

[Chama Grande]

I drew the tag again, so I thought I'd buy the statewide OTC as well just to cover the bases and I guess you can't have both! I see why, but it looks like I can't head back to the forest where I saw them last year. Back to the desert, I'll be glad to be there in March

 

[Jvalentine]

I drew the tag again, so I thought I'd buy the statewide OTC as well just to cover the bases and I guess you can't have both! I see why, but it looks like I can't head back to the forest where I saw them last year. Back to the desert, I'll be glad to be there in March

How did you draw already, NM doesn't do the javalina draw until April.

 

[Chama Grande]

How did you draw already, NM doesn't do the javalina draw until April.

last years draw. I been sitting on this bad boy for a hwhile

 

[Westxhunter]

They're all over. Down here by Hueco Tanks there are quite a few. Sometimes the Oryx venture this far south. Just look for the Nopales that have been chomped on and get your distress call out. Study what their range is and what they eat. Then look for those good pockets with plenty of forage.

 

[Billinthedesert]

Did you ever score, Chama? We had them at the foot of the Sacramentos at Oliver Lee State Park when I volunteered there.

 

[Chama Grande]

Did you ever score, Chama? We had them at the foot of the Sacramentos at Oliver Lee State Park when I volunteered there.

The day before I was set to go on that tag I ended up in the hospital for a day, which started a whole series of events that lead to the girlfriend moving out, a broken leg, and a dead dog. 2024 was kind of a lot haha. I'm doing alright now though, another HT member has dropped a few pins for me this year on the OTC units so I'm confident I'll get one this year. I have never been to Oliver Lee State Park though, it looks amazing, I might head over there too just because it looks so cool. Anywhere along the foothills you say? Added to the list

 

[Billinthedesert]

Chama, very sorry to hear how rudely the past year has treated you! Hope 2025 is much kinder. The javelina near Oliver Lee seemed to range south along the intersection of the Tularosa Basin floor and the base of the Sacramentos along what is called the Old El Paso Road on some maps. This quickly becomes Fort Bliss, so check the regulations for hunting on permitted areas of the fort and MacGregor Range. You have to have a hunter safety certificate in addition to a valid license and tag, and only some areas are open. In some areas, you have to take a UXO -- unexploded ordinance -- class.

 

[Chama Grande]

Hey thanks man, this past year has gone like an old time country song haha. Feeling good though. I'm down to check that area out, I don't head south as much as I probably should. It's one reason I like the javelina tag so much, I see corners of the state that I otherwise wouldn't.