Most hunters have heard of Javelina. However, few have hunted them — unless they reside in New Mexico, Texas, or Arizona, the states where Javelina are most prevalent. What about hunting these little desert dwellers with a Hi-Point carbine? Now you are really talking about a challenge.
Javelina Specifics and Hunting Tactics
While Javelina, also known as collared peccaries (because of the white collar around the neck) resemble pigs. However, they are not pigs. Instead, they are part of the Tayassuidae family, while true pigs belong to the Suidae family.
There are other unique characteristics between the two. Javelina have small ears and their tails are almost undetectable from a distance. Pigs have ears that are more upright and longer, with hairy tails. Javelina have three toes (one dew claw) on the hind foot while pigs have four (two dew claws). Canine teeth (tusks of two or three inches in length) in Javelina are straight, and pigs have curved tusks that are more like the African warthogs.
Javelina generally weigh between 35–60 pounds and stand 20–24 inches at the shoulder. Although javelina have very poor eyesight, that doesn’t mean they will be easy to walk up on when hunting. Javelina are good at making out movement, not to mention the fact that they have fair hearing and a great sense of smell.
If you are interested in hunting this unique desert dweller, where do you start? Javelina are found across the southwestern U.S. and into Mexico. As mentioned, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are the key U.S. states. Seasons can vary between states, but early fall through late winter are the main hunting time frames. In Texas and New Mexico, you can purchase an over-the-counter license for javelina.
Javelina prefer mesquite habitats with an abundance of prickly pear or other cactus, but can also be found in semi-desert canyons and bluff areas near brushy draws. Water availability is essential. Water, combined with the above-mentioned food and habitat areas, will prove to be a good starting point for hunting.
Hunting techniques include glassing from a good vantage point along prime habitat areas. Look for signs of rooting and tracks near water. Tracks will appear to be that of a tiny deer — especially around water and along trails. You may find them in a group of a dozen or more, or a single animal. As a point of interest, I have called them in using a predator call.
As to calibers for hunting, Javelina are not hard to put down. I have hunted them with a lever-action .30-30 and know many folks who have taken Javelina with a handgun or bow. Be careful to ensure good shot placement. These little desert dwellers will not hesitate to sink their tusks into you, should you get too close after having wounded one.
The 10mm Hi-Point Carbine
Deciding to make a hunt for Javelina with the Hi-Point 10mm carbine may seem a bit unorthodox, and it probably is. However, as you will soon read, it is very doable.
Hi-Point is known for making budget guns. Consider this, the entire Hi-Point line of firearms are built to be affordable for anyone. Therefore, anyone could have need to use a Hi-Point for hunting purposes.
The Hi-Point model 1095TS may look a bit like a toy due to the fact the company stayed within its low-cost manufacturing niche with the carbine models, using polymer and die-cast metals. The carbine sports a 17.5-inch barrel, is 32 inches long, and weighs seven pounds empty. The operating system is straight blowback, which is both simple and reliable. The heavy slide on Hi-Point is a necessity. Its weight keeps the breech closed during ignition.
The gun is fed by a proprietary 10-round magazine and has a pistol-style magazine release in the grip. It also features an adjustable peep sight in the rear and post front. The 1095TS offers a polymer top rail on the receiver to mount an optic. Currently, the 10mm carbine is available in three color variations: black, white camo, and Realtree Edge camo.
Shooting this carbine, you’ll appreciate the soft rubber where your cheek weld is on the stock. It provides a cushion effect for your face. Additionally, the recoil pad is a spring-loaded to absorb even more felt recoil — if that is a concern. The bolt locks back on an empty magazine (always a nice feature).
As for hunting, consider this. Out of the carbine’s 17.5-inch barrel, the 10mm cartridge will provide between 50–200 fps more velocity than standard-length pistol barrels. Being that the barrel is threaded, you can easily add a suppressor for hunting. Your red dot optic of choice may be easily mounted on the carbine’s top rail.
Hi-Point Carbine 1095TS Features and Specs
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Barrel length: 17.5 inches
- Barrel threading: .57×28 TPI, thread protector provided
- Overall length: 32 inches
- Weight (unloaded): 7 pounds
- Trigger: Single-action, striker-fired
- Safety: Thumb style, left side
- Stock: All-weather, polymer skeletonized stock
- Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
- Sights: Fully-adjustable sights (rear peep & post front)
- Accessories: One magazine, sling, sling swivels, sight adjustment tool, lock, owner’s manual
- MSRP: $450
Ammo Selection
Not long ago, I had doubts whether the 10mm cartridge would stand the test of time. Today, however, the 10mm cartridge is seeing a resurgence in the self-defense and hunting world. Aside from just about every major handgun manufacturer offering a pistol chambered in the 10mm, we are increasingly seeing 10mm carbines on the market.
On the range with the Hi-Point, I tested several variations of 10mm ammunition:
- Sellier & Bellot 180-grain FMJ
- Winchester 180-grain FMJ
- Aguila 180-grain FMJ
- Hornady Handgun Hunter 135-grain MONOFLEX HP
- Hornady 180-grin XTP HP
I fired over 100 rounds from the Hi-Point and never had a malfunction with any of the ammo tested.
Results for accuracy were all impressive from a 25-yard supported rest. The best group overall was achieved via the Hornady Handgun Hunter line in 135-grain MONOFLEX HP with five shots (all touching) in a single group of no more than one inch.
The West Texas Javelina Hunt
I began my West Texas hunt in February. My nonresident hunting license was still valid, and the season for Javelina is year around. The private ranch I was to hunt is known to have good numbers of Javelina.
This hunt in the desert hills of West Texas was a perfect opportunity to put the Hi-Point 10mm to task. Javelina are not particularly hard to put down… if you make a good shot. The 10mm carbine proved a somewhat challenging choice, while the caliber is more than sufficient for Javelina.
A couple of buddies and I started out early, driving, looking for Javelina sign at several water sources on the ranch. Water sources, near brushy draws with good food sources, was our main focus.
The first two stops at water showed only minimal sign in the form of tracks. However, on the third stop, we found what we were looking for. Lots of fresh Javelina tracks, droppings, and rooting activity near and around the water source. Also, an arroyo with thick brush and cover was close at hand.
By all appearances, the tracks were made that morning. We began walking near a brush line, and within minutes, we spotted Javelina. Exact numbers of Javelina were difficult to discern, but I would guess 10–12 animals in the group. Now, it became a matter of getting into range for a clear shot, preferring something within 50 yards.
I shouldered the Hi-Point on a mature Javelina around 40 yards, and quickly discovered a few issues I had not considered:
- Getting quick sight alignment via a peep sight is no simple task — if your target is not perfectly still.
- The front post on the Hi-Point blended perfectly with the coloration of these little desert animals, which made it hard to clearly see the post.
- Acquiring a quick and solid cheek weld on the Hi-Point, to obtain proper sight alignment, required getting my head down low on a stock that is already sloped at a downward angle and proved challenging.
In retrospect this would have been a perfect application for a high mount red dot on the carbine… live and learn!
All of this added up to Javelina running in all directions and several misses on my part, despite the accuracy of the Hi-Point. Not my best show of marksmanship and quite comical according to my hunting companions. However, several of the Javelina split off into a small side canyon. This allowed me to parallel them and get out in front.
Finally, I was able to get myself into a solid sitting position and take a well-aimed shot on a mature Javelina that stopped at 50 yards or so. My shot was well placed, and the Javelina was down for good. The 10mm Hi-Point, and 135-grain Hornady ammo performed as expected. However, my shooting performance could have been better.
Final Thoughts
Javelina can range from excellent to just OK as table fare. They possess a very pungent scent gland on the top of their rump just under the skin. Take care when field dressing and skinning to minimize any excessive contact of this gland directly to the carcass. My Javelina was made into breakfast sausage and turned out awesome.
The Javelina is truly a southwestern desert animal. As such, it often lives in some of the roughest and most beautiful habitat our country has to offer. If you’re looking for a new and different hunting experience, give the Javelina a try. I doubt you will be disappointed.
My hunt ended in success and proved the Hi-Point Carbine can, in fact, be used in the hunting field with positive results. It just requires some pre-planning on the hunter’s part, in the form of a red dot optic, and a little bit of practical practice.
Have you ever hunted javelina? What are your thoughts about using a 10mm carbine for hunting? Would you use the Hi-Point 1095TS? Share your answers in the Comment section.
