20 replies to this topic

[robinsondd]

Never thought would see this. Javelinas near my scope.

Davis Mountains State Park, Texas. I made the mistake of putting down some bird seed.

[NinePlanets]

Really, don't feed the wildlife. They do fine on their own.

[Jethro7]

Hello

Peccary Pie anyone?

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[ABQJeff]

Watch it, those things can be mean! Won’t kill you but pig bites are no joke.

[havasman]

For the record, javelina are not pigs or hogs. They are on their own branch of the classification tree. They are not as dangerous as feral hogs. But there's no reason to get near them either. What we have in Texas is the native collared peccary or javelina.

[rutherfordt]

For the record, javelina are not pigs or hogs.

I remember while I was perusing the gift shop at the Desert Museum outside of Tucson a year or two ago that they had a book about javelinas whose title was, "I am not a Pig."

 

Tom
 

[Don W]

Occasionally see them in town hear in Arizona. Stay very far from them if they have babies (javenalets?)

[12BH7]

Generally they want nothing to do with you. The most that happens when I encounter them in the wild is the alpha male will snort and grunt to defend the squadron. But generally they run off.

 

But don't get between them and the babies and NEVER feed them. They don't understand you running out of food. 

 

To be honest I enjoy seeing them.

 

However, there was one time when I was in a wash and a squadron of about 30 came running out of a small canyon. I was in the middle of babies and males. I wasn't as concerned about being in the middle of the squadron, but more about what was chasing them????

[mountain monk]

As usual, leave them alone and they will leave you alone. They can be a problem for an aggressive dog. They are also excellent eating if you are sure to remove the scent glands. I ran into many of them when I lived down on the border, but I never had a problem, nor did my dog. Just let them go about their javelina life. Cougars and jaguars LOVE javelina.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

Edited by mountain monk, 17 May 2025 - 07:55 PM.

[12BH7]

As usual, leave them alone and they will leave you alone. They can be a problem for an aggressive dog. They are also excellent eating if you are sure to remove the scent glands. I ran into many of them when I lived down on the border, but I never had a problem, nor did my dog. Just let them go about their javelina life. Cougars and jaguars LOVE javelina.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't sure if anything actually eat them??

 

Unlike most people I like the smell of them when I find one of their bedding areas. Also they are quite amusing to watch. When they're in my yard or neighborhood they remind me of those relatives that come to stay but don't know when to leave. 

[mountain monk]

Yes, they are amusing and rather interesting. My time on the border was in the San Raphael Valley, a remote place with high mountains, high desert, and lots of wildlife—bears, cougars, jaguars, probably a few wolves. Lots of predators, but the javelinas do just fine. My Aussie never charged them, but boy was she enthralled by them. I wish them the best.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

[Mike Q]

I am told they are delicious 

[desertstars]

I've encountered them more times than I can count, living here in Tucson. There's a herd in our suburban neighborhood. Out in the desert, observing, I've had them wander by where I set up and pay me not the slightest bit of attention. 

 

They do take care of their own, that's for sure. One spring night, driving home from a session out at the local club's observing site west of town, a coyote dashed across the road in front of me. I hit the brakes, but really, he was almost airborne, he was running so fast. A heartbeat later the reason for his haste was revealed. Half a dozen javalina, one right after the other, raced across the road after him. I'm guessing he tried to have a young javalina for a late night snack. Not his best move.

[NinePlanets]

I am told they are delicious 

Beats the heck outta stringy old Jackrabbit.

Edited by NinePlanets, 24 May 2025 - 07:43 AM.

[12BH7]

Beats the heck outta stringy old Jackrabbit.

From what I've seen with the local hunters, aka poachers!!!! It seems that most desert animals don't make for a good food source. Probably why the ancient Indians in this area ate a lot of rat.

[ABQJeff]

In Tucson this weekend, this morning saw whole squadron with a couple moms and babies, larger ones, crossing the road.

And duly noted, they are peccaries, native to Americas, unlike old world descended pigs/hogs.

[jwheel]

I see them frequently out here in far west TX.

[BKBrown]

When observing in areas with wild animals, be careful and take appropriate precautions. My place is in a very rural area and has over 18 acres of 12 year old new growth trees, grasses, and berry thickets, with only three acres more or less cleared. I always have my beagle with me going out to the observatory, a short walk from the house, and I am always armed when out and about the property. Why? Bears, coyotes, wild dogs, and even the occasional cougar are not uncommon here and I have no desire to run into them unawares. My dog is good insurance against being surprised, and my shotgun ensures my ability to defend us if things go sideways. So have a good light at night, make plenty of noise, and don't carry a firearm if you are not properly trained or they make you nervous. While living in Arizona I never had a run in with javelinas, though they were all over the post and had something of a reputation. Just try to avoid them or other potentially hazardous wild life at night while in their domain. You should be fine...

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[12BH7]

When observing in areas with wild animals, be careful and take appropriate precautions. My place is in a very rural area and has over 18 acres of 12 year old new growth trees, grasses, and berry thickets, with only three acres more or less cleared. I always have my beagle with me going out to the observatory, a short walk from the house, and I am always armed when out and about the property. Why? Bears, coyotes, wild dogs, and even the occasional cougar are not uncommon here and I have no desire to run into them unawares. My dog is good insurance against being surprised, and my shotgun ensures my ability to defend us if things go sideways. So have a good light at night, make plenty of noise, and don't carry a firearm if you are not properly trained or they make you nervous. While living in Arizona I never had a run in with javelinas, though they were all over the post and had something of a reputation. Just try to avoid them or other potentially hazardous wild life at night while in their domain. You should be fine...

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

Actually, here in Arizona people get into more trouble with having dog. Javelina see them as a treat and go on the offensive. Coyotes just see them as food.  Almost all the neighborhood javelina attacks have been a result of a dog barking at a javelina. 

[PYeomans]

Tell ya what, I'll trade the javelinas for the Russian wild boars we are afflicted with. 

[12BH7]

Tell ya what, I'll trade the javelinas for the Russian wild boars we are afflicted with. 

Yup, you can keep those guys. Javelinas are fairly docile and basically pig shaped chickens.