Arizona Javelina

JESSICA YOUNG

Santa Rita Mountains

Tucson, Arizona

My February javelina hunt was definitely an exciting one. The previous year we went out and hadn't seen any pigs, so this time I was determined to find something. There were a few other hunters who creeped up on us pretty early and got a few shots off a herd we were stalking, scattering all the pigs. My brother Mike and I topped over a ridge while my dad tool the long way around the side of the canyon, trying to hesitant since the wind was not in our favor. Not ten minutes after settling in we glassed one pig headed sideways on the ridge in front of us. We got sticks set up but for some reason couldn't get it right and I couldn't get him in my scope. The pig ended up topping the ridge and I was pretty upset that I let my chance go. But he came back! My brother yelled to just forget the sticks since the pig was only about 120 yard away so I threw the gun up and shot. First shot I hit him in the jaw and ticked him off prety good but I was able to drop him with a head shot. This is my first kill so it was a very special hunt to me!