Hunting New Mexico (Alamogordo, Deming, Silver City: middle school, camp, living)

[Solidwood]

I haven't hunted big game in many years and am interested in geting back into it here in NM. I'm looking for a good Javelina hunting area. Got any suggestions?

[mtncat]

New Mexico has opened up alot of units for javelina. Problem is alot of them are opened in an effort to get rid of them as they are destructive. What that means is you can hunt them in the area but there are not many of them.
Unit 34, around Alamogordo is now open but if you see one consider yourself VERY lucky. I spend alot of time outdoors and have seen a grand total of 1
Your best bet is going to be around Silver City. I used to see them alot in that area of the state.
Permits are by draw only so good luck to you.
You may want to try feral hog hunting. Alot more of them, no license required and you can hunt them year round.
Forgot, the Deming, Lordsburg area should also be pretty good.

[dracul]

We used to hunt pig...Pua'a...in Hawai'i with short pikes and pit bulls back in the day. I wasn't as destroyed as I am now and very strong. The pigs themselves were introduced by the sea faring Polynesians perhaps two thousand years ago as a food source and many escaped and consequently thrived in the dense rain forests on several islands. They were much larger than Javelina's, frquently tipping the scales at several hundred pounds for big males. We used to feed them garbage the inmates didn't consume on the slopes of Mauna Loa at a prison camp I was a guard at in the late 80's which was called Kulani Correctional Facility. The pigs were HUGE, aggressive and numerous and if we had fallen from the back of the 4x4 dump truck as we were wrestling the 55 gallon oil drums brimming with uneaten prison chow we would have been consumed along with the slop! Tough as nails and able to kill pit bulls one on one they were one helluva hunt...but VERY delicious!!!!

[Solidwood]

Feral pigs are good. I can find those near Lordsburg or Deming? Do you know anyone down there that I might contact?

Thanks for the help to all and I'll look into the prospects of a hunt down there in Deming. Best to you for the Holidays!

[Hunter Wold]

The area I will hunt again is down by Glenwood. Which is No. of Silver City.
Suppossed to be a good population down there according the the local Convservation Officer.

But you do need to have been drawn in the permit system.

Where are the "feral" hogs in NM?? I got a Arkansas Razorback this year, about 150 lbs. and it was great eating. Smoked the hams for this New Years.

Happy trails,

HW

[TiaDalma]

If you bag a hog, you can invite All of us over
There is nuthin' like a {whole} hog roast!

I knew about the wild hogs of Hawai'i but not New Mexico.
Interesting!

Tia Dalma

[GregW]

Dracul - Now I know your are nuts. Taking on a small tusked tank with a spear! Yikes!

[TKO]

There are feral hogs in the Sacramento's not sure where else. I'm going in Feb for Javelina down near Animas. I remember a few years back there was one in the playground of Zia Middle School just east of Mesilla.

[dracul]

Maybe when I finally get my a$$ down to TorC I'll have yas over for some KALUA-Style Javelina!!!!

[dracul]

Some thoughts Greg: first off the bat, I know I'm nuts, my body is injured from head to toe from a lifetime of living on the edge of a blade...and frequently falling off it! Zippers everywhere! Pain off the scale. Still, I've lived more in 58 years than most three men who reach this point. I'd change little in retrospect. Secondly, the feral pigs in the islands were not small, tusked animals, as you suggested. Our average catch was around 75 to 100+ pounds, some larger. All were much larger than Javelina's. They were forest adapted, thickly muscled, black haired and short legged, unlike the long legged, fleet footed Javalina. Thirdly, even though the pit bulls and pikes did the job, we usually carried along my .44 or my buddy's 30/30. Never used them though.... My dog Goblin, who weighed a steel hard 95 pounds could often take on a pig by himself, so awesome was his ability. But forest hunting in dense rain forest jungle is in stark contrast to desert treks after sparse and speedy runners!!! I'd need my guns with Javelina's. Got a great new pit bull though, and he's almost on a par with mighty Goblin!!!!