The Texas Shoot-Out began over 40 years ago when a group of Texas Firefighters organized a bow hunt for Javelina at the Callahan Ranch.
The original crew was led by John Michel. A few years later, Don Smith and Ray McCrae joined the crew and the rest is history. John has since hung up his hat and the original Texas Shoot-Out is no more.
The New Hunt
February 21- February 25, 2024
Javelina and Archery
Javelina thrive in the South Texas habitat. Javelina are herbivores (plant eaters). They eat a wide variety of tubers, green shoots, stems of prickly pears, prickly pear pads and mesquite beans.
(They will vacuum up corn like kids on candy)
Prickly pear pads make it possible for javelinas to survive in dry conditions. Unlike feral pigs, javelina do not have to come to water holes. It is not essential if prickly pears are other succulents are available.
Javelina feed in small group. If the day is to hot, they will seek some shelter in the brush. They will feed again in late afternoon until dark. After feeding, the group will bed down in low areas where the ground may be damp. They also like ridges with good brush cover where the south breeze can blow.
In cold weather they will huddle together (like feral pigs) for warmth and protection.
Javelina can breed year round, but most births occur in late spring after 20 weeks gestation. Coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions prey on javelinas. (Yes there are big cats on the Chaparrosa Ranch) . Mortality rate ranges 40 to 60 percent annually.
Like whitetail deer, the average, javelina can live 6 to 8 years. Javelina are social and live in groups of 5 to 15 animals. We have seen groups of 20+. Because they are social, they will respond to distress calls to protect members of the group. (Calling is a great way to hunt javelina)
Some of our hunters have used the javelina hides for gloves, hats, and vest.
CALLING JAVELINA
Calling javelina is a great way to increase your chances to harvest a javelina. First get a call, Hydel javelina calls are really good. If you can’t find one, just pull out the cotton tail or jack rabbit call. To call javelina you are going to over blow the call in a loud squalling technique. Just think about a baby that is not happy or the very unruly child in the resturant. That is the sound you want to make.
Calling works in two ways. First find (see) a group of javelina, get down wind and start calling. Keep it up for several minutes so the javelina can locate you.
The second way is to start squalling immediately after you have shot a javelina. In many cases the group will circle back to you. Remember to keep calling for several minutes after you taken your shot. Give them time to locate where the sound is coming from.
GET READY THE ACTION CAN BE VERY FAST !!
When responding to the call, javelina will have their hair raised and be making a woffing sound while popping their jaws. Remember they are social and will try to protect members of the group from predator attacks.
Details
Registration
Anyone wanting notification for future hunts to send their email address to smithd1archery@gmail.com.
The New Javelina Hunt is scheduled for February 21 – 25, 2024. Hunters will be allowed on the Ranch the morning of the 21st to set up camp and begin hunting. We will be hunting on the historic Chaparrosa Ranch just outside La Pryor, TX.
If you have attended the Texas Shoot-Out at the Chaparrosa Ranch many of the rules and regulations will remain unchanged. Again this year there will be no hunting allowed along the perimeter fences or pipeline road.
Price for the five day hunt is $300.
