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Glassing You can expect Javelina to be most active during the early morning hours from daylight to 10 AM and again from 4 PM till after dusk. A pair of 10x50 binoculars and either a 20x50 or a variable power 15-45x60 spotting scope are good options for optics. The Javelinas' grayish coat blends perfectly in desert terrain. When a Javelina is standing still, it's extremely difficult to spot, even when you know it's there. Movement is the key. Luckily, Javelina travel in herds, which can make spotting them a little easier. I look for movement and dark color patterns.
Good spot to glass for a while. Offers a view of a wash and a prime hill side (click on picture to enlarge) Photo by AP Jones. Start your search by selecting a vantage point which will provide an unobstructed view of a promising hillside. I use 10X50 Steiner binoculars, a spotting scope would likely work a little better. I then study the area in a grid pattern until I find Javelina. Sometimes this takes minutes and other times several days and several vantage points before Javelina are spotted. In flat terrain, forget about the 10X50s and the spotting scope, and go with inexpensive compacts. The larger binoculars or spotting scopes are just excess weight. Small compact binoculars which will fit in a shirt pocket are the best choice. Generally in the desert flats, because of thick desert vegetation, your Javelina spotting and viewing opportunities, and distances, will be well under 75 yards. Compacts will work nicely to verify dark objects laying under mesquite trees or confirm stumps, barrel cactus, and rocks are indeed stumps, barrel cactus, and rocks. Once you locate a herd pay attention to wind and noise and begin your stalk.
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