The recent decision by the Boone and Crockett Club to recognize javelinas in a new big game records category represents a victory for this often overlooked and even maligned Texas native.
Known scientifically as collared peccaries, javelinas inhabit the arid regions of Texas and other parts of the Southwest.
Despite being native to the region, they’ve often been sidelined in conservation and hunting discussions. By elevating javelinas to a “Boone and Crockett” category, the Club’s action could provide the species with a much-needed spotlight, potentially curbing the devastating impacts of poisoning and promoting sustainable hunting practices.
For years, the javelina has been caught in the crossfire of feral hog management strategies, particularly in Texas, where hog populations have reached crisis levels. With the introduction of the warfarin-based toxicant for feral hogs I had serious concerns for the javelina.
While aimed at controlling invasive hog populations, such toxicants pose a grave threat to native species like the javelina. Sharing similar diets and overlapping habitats with feral hogs, javelinas are susceptible to poisoning.
TPWD’s “Javelina in Texas” publication notes that “Recent downturns in javelina population trends in South Texas appear to follow drought cycles, habitat management treatments, and more recent emphasis on white-tailed deer management, including high fencing and predator control.”
They go on to say that although habitat improvement for white-tailed deer, such as food plots, supplemental feeding, and water development, improved habitat for javelina, in many cases it also exacerbated problems between deer enthusiasts and javelina.
“Incidental and illegal harvest of javelina due to their perceived nuisance of predation, agricultural damage and competition with deer has added to this decline.” (TPWD)
Big protein-fed, selectively bred whitetail bucks bring in big bucks to ranchers and javelina are not a priority. In fact, as the TPWD document notes, illegal harvest is rampant.
In 2017 I wrote about this and called it the “Texas Javelina Massacre” and it represents the greatest decline in range of a game animal in Texas in modern history. In the 1930s javelina ranged close to the Red River. Now they’re restricted to South of San Antonio, the lair of the trophy whitetail.
If warfarin killed those bucks there would be an outcry as big as the state itself. If it kills javelina, you can bet more will be put out.
Many will look at taking out hogs and javelina as a two for one special.
Recognizing javelinas as a legitimate big game species under Boone and Crockett could play a critical role in reversing this trend.This recognition sends a powerful message: javelinas are not just incidental wildlife or agricultural nuisances but an integral part of the ecosystem worthy of respect and protection. It’s a shift that could influence both hunters and land managers, emphasizing the need to differentiate between native species and invasive pests.
Hunting organizations like Boone and Crockett wield considerable influence over the perception of wildlife. Their record books, long revered in the hunting community, often dictate what species are considered prestigious or desirable for hunting. By including javelinas, B&C can incentivize conservation.’
When hunters begin to value javelinas as trophy animals, the species gains not only visibility but also a constituency invested in its survival. This could lead to more careful habitat management practices, as hunters and ranchers recognize the ecological and economic benefits of preserving javelina populations. Boone and Crockett’s decision could inspire broader public interest in the species.
Much like the resurgence of bison as a symbol of American conservation, javelinas could transition from being misunderstood oddities to celebrated icons of the Southwest.
One of the most pressing issues in wildlife management in Texas today is the need to make clear distinctions between invasive exotic species, like feral hogs, and native wildlife, such as javelinas. Education and advocacy are essential to dispel these misconceptions and ensure that javelinas receive the protection they deserve. Boone and Crockett’s recognition of javelinas is a critical step in this direction, as it underscores the importance of differentiating between invasive threats and native wildlife in conservation strategies.
Hunter-conservationists have long been at the forefront of efforts to protect and restore wildlife populations. From the recovery of wild turkeys to the resurgence of elk in the eastern United States, hunters have demonstrated their commitment to preserving America’s natural heritage. The Boone and Crockett Club’s decision to include javelinas in their record books reflects this tradition of leadership and advocacy. By valuing javelinas as a big game species, the Club is not only promoting ethical hunting but also laying the groundwork for broader conservation efforts that could benefit the species for generations to come.
And speaking of elk, maybe we need to look at the status of elk in Texas. Despite being a native they are not game animals.
Texas has a unique wildlife management approach with many hits and a few misses. The javelina is a miss and this recent decision bodes well for the species.
Chester Moore
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