“Skunk Pig & Mule Deer”
A Unique Arizona Combo Hunt
What is a Skunk pig and why should I want to hunt one?
Skunk pig is the wonderfully unique colloquial term used to describe the North American native species, the collard peccary also called a Javelina. The name skunk pig refers to a gland these animals have which can emit a powerful oder in extreme circumstances.
Your probably thinking, “Ewww man, that sounds gross.”
Wrong! You should be thinking, “Eww man, that sounds awesome.”
These critters are one of three species of native peccary to North and South America but they are the only species which wanders north of the Mexico border.
Drawing Tags in AZ
While tag draw odds are ever changing, especially in a high demand state like Arizona, Javelina tags have relatively consistent odds. In most years an OTC Archery tag for Mule Deer can be paired with a 90-100% of drawing for Javelina in the same or adjacent hunt unit.
Tip: Try to aim for the southern edge of the state and look at agricultural damage tags as those occur more frequently.
AZ Game and fish: https://www.azgfd.com
Can you hunt them both at the same time?
Yes, it’s an incredible opportunity. Late season archery hunts for Mule Deer overlap with the archery season for Javelina. These seasons are in January after other seasons close for the year. Plus, If you are a family man like myself its super simple to book a hotel room for the family in Tucson, and let them enjoy the warm temps and sunshine for a week away form the midwest cold. While you take to the hills and scrub oak to chase deer and pigs.
Do they go together on the plate?
Absolutely! Pork goes with everything. Mule Deer Foundations own resident Chef Eric Sharpe who you may have seen featured on our Friday weekly recipe drop has some wild game bbq recipes that would go great with Mule Deer neck roast or a Javelina leg roast.
Recipe: muledeer.org/recipe/plum-and-5-spice-glazed-wild-boar-ribs/
Mule Deer and Javelina offer a southwest taste that could also be used in a pulled pork style queso appetizer prefacing Mule Deer Cane Asada bowls. Or even better, try making a mixed batch of tamales.
Try the combo hunt of the South-West this year!
Good Luck!
Good luck this fall. Send pictures or stories from the field to [email protected] to be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article, or any of our articles helped you become a better conservation steward, join the mule deer foundation. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/
Trevor J Hubbs https://www.instagram.com/trevorhubbs/
Trevor is the Communications Manager for the Mule deer Foundation. He grew up hunting and fishing the eastern edge of the Ozark mountains for quail, ducks, and bucks. Trevor is a contributor for “Fur, Fish, and Game”, Lethal Minds Journal, Strung Magazine, and Shooting Sportsman among others.
