Arizona Javelina Hunt Scouting | Spring & Fall Hunts

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Javelina Hunting in Arizona

Javelina, properly called collared peccary, aren't pigs. They're a native desert animal found across central and southern Arizona, from saguaro and cholla flats up into oak and juniper foothills. Herds feed on prickly pear, agave and other desert plants and bed in thick cover or rocky shelters. Because they can't see well but smell everything, the classic javelina hunt is to glass up a herd at first light, then stalk in slowly with the wind in your face. That works much better when someone has already found where the herds are feeding.

Arizona Javelina Seasons

• Spring archery: usually January, by draw.
• Spring HAM (handgun, archery, muzzleloader): usually February, by draw.
• Spring general (rifle): usually February, by draw. This is the hunt most people picture.
• Youth hunts: youth-only hunts are offered in spring, and fall javelina hunts are mostly youth-only.

Exact dates change every year. See the current Arizona hunting regulations.

How to Apply for an Arizona Javelina Tag

Spring javelina tags come from the spring draw, which closes in early October. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early October. Fall hunts are in the June draw.

1. Create a free AZGFD portal account at accounts.azgfd.com.
2. Buy an Arizona hunting license. Buy a license from AZGFD.
3. Read the spring regulations, released in early September, and pick your hunt choices.
4. Apply online at draw.azgfd.com before the October deadline.
5. Check results in your portal account. Leftover javelina tags are often available after the draw, especially archery and HAM tags.

How I Scout Your Javelina Hunt

1. You draw and book. We go over your unit, weapon and dates.
2. I scout your unit. I glass and track herds to learn their feeding areas, bedding cover and daily movement.
3. You hunt with a plan. You start your mornings glassing where the herds have been.

Want to get more out of a January trip? I also offer a 7-day archery deer and javelina combo hunt during the Coues deer rut.

Arizona Javelina Hunt FAQ

Are javelina pigs?

No. Javelina, or collared peccary, are a separate native species that only look like pigs. They live in herds across central and southern Arizona.

When is javelina season in Arizona?

Most javelina hunting happens in spring: archery in January, and HAM and general rifle hunts in February. Fall hunts are mostly for youth hunters. Exact dates change each year.

Is it hard to draw a javelina tag?

Javelina tags are some of the easier Arizona big game tags to draw, and leftover tags are often available after the draw. That makes javelina a great first Arizona hunt.

When is the javelina draw deadline?

Spring javelina applications are due in early October. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early October.

What's included in the price?

3-day hunts are $950 for one person or $1,650 for two, and $1,250 or $1,950 with camp included. Extra hunt days are $200 per day. Your license and tag are purchased from Arizona Game & Fish and are not included.

What weapons can I use?

I scout archery, HAM (handgun, archery, muzzleloader) and rifle javelina hunts in spring and fall.

Drew a javelina tag? Call Marco at 928-821-1192 or email me.