Best Javelina Hunting in Texas

3-Day/2-Night Guided Hunt Meals and Lodging included

Texas is one of only 4 states that have javelina, or collared peccary. Javelina can be found in the more arid or semi-arid parts of the state including South Texas, West Texas and the Edwards Plateau. In Texas, javelina are considered game animals and can be hunted by anyone with a valid Texas Hunting License. There are no “tags” required for javelina hunting in Texas, but there is a bag limit of 2 javelina per person per year.

In most Texas counties there is no closed season for javelina hunting, but the best time for a specific javelina hunt is mid-January through March or early April. This is before it starts to get too hot and it doesn’t conflict with any other seasons. Javelina are also a great trophy animal to add to any other hunt.

Javelina Hunting Texas – Who is this hunt for:

With no closed season for javelina hunting in most Texas counties, these are great off season hunts for a group of buddies looking to have a little fun or extend their hunting season. Since javelina have poor eyesight, and not the best hearing, they are also a blast to spot and stalk with a bow, crossbow, or muzzleloader.

Javalina are small, typically less than 40 lbs, and thin-skinned the javelina is a perfect game animal for younger or less experienced hunters as well. They also make a pretty cool mount with their long canine teeth, or tusks, so whether you’re an experienced hunter looking to extend your hunting season and get out of the colder northern climates early in the year or a novice hunter looking to take your first game animal, javelina hunting is for you!

Base price is per person for groups of 4 or more. Smaller groups are an additional fee per person.

Included in all Javelina Hunts:

• 3 days & 2 nights
• 2 javelina/hunter
• Meals
• Lodging
• Transportation around the ranch
• Field care of your trophy

Not included in Javelina Hunts:

• Valid Texas Hunting License (Non-resident Special 5 Day Hunting License – Type 157 – $48)
• Gratuities
• Transportation to ranch
• Skinning, caping, quartering of your trophy
• Drinks other than water and coffee

Additional services available for all Javelina Hunts:

• Non-hunting guests
• Skinning & quartering of your trophy
• Caping & freezing hide for transport home

Javelina – Animal Specifics:

Javelina are members of the peccary family. There are 3 species of peccaries, but the only species found in the United States is the collared peccary. Javelina are typically found in small herds or “family groups.” They primarily feed on cacti, mesquite beans, lechuguilla, sotol, mast, fruits, and insects. Prickly pear cactus is a favorite for javelina.

Despite the fact that javelina eat mainly cacti and insects they have very sharp canine teeth, or tusks. Their tusks help javelina make a popping, or chomping, noise when threatened. Aggressive encounters with humans are very rare, but javelina can definitely tear up a dog so just be mindful of your pets when you encounter javelina out in the wild.

Javelina Hunting Texas:

The majority of my javelina hunts are done out in West Texas on a ranch that’s over 60,000 acres. We drive around in my ranch buggy until we locate the javelina and then its spot and stalk from there. When javelina hunting in West Texas, it’s very common to see 15-30, or more, javelina a day, so you have multiple shot opportunities.

Occasionally I’ll hunt javelina in South Texas, or the Edwards Plateau, and those hunts are a little different than the javelina hunts in West Texas. In South Texas, we typically hunt javelina the same way we hunt whitetail deer, which is out of a blind overlooking several senderos (cleared roadways) with a corn feeder. Hunting out of a blind is great for those that don’t quite get around as well as they used to, but the way I prefer to hunt javelina is to drive around until we locate a group of javelina coming out to feed and then spot and stalk them.

Whether you’re in West Texas or South Texas, sneaking along the edge of the brush trying to get within range for a shot is a lot more challenging hunt, but also a lot more fun. Either way, they are pretty cool little critters and make for some really fun hunts.

Javelina Hunting Texas Regions:

Javelina can be hunted in 93 Texas counties and can be found in South Texas, West Texas and the parts of the Edwards Plateau. Most of my javelina hunts are conducted in West Texas (Trans-Pecos Region), but I’ll occasionally hunt javelina in South Texas and the Edwards Plateau.

Javelina hunts are a lot of fun, whether you are a beginner or an experienced hunter, but especially great in groups. Don’t wait too long reserve your spot as soon as possible.