Javelina Ecology within the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas
Request for Proposals November 2023

Introduction

Understanding the life history and ecology of a species is a necessity for making management decisions pertaining to that species. In the case of the collared peccary, also known as javelina (Pecari tajacu), there has been little research done on the populations found in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas. This population marks the northernmost extent of the species’ range in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) did conduct two known reintroductions of javelina into the Rolling Plains in the mid-1950’s. Animals from South Texas stock were released in Borden, Garza, and Scurry Counties (around 27 individuals) with another 36 animals released in Wilbarger County (D. J. Wright, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, personal communication). It is unclear whether present populations are a result of reintroduced animals or from relic populations, or combinations of the two.

Anecdotal observations indicate that javelina populations are expanding throughout the Rolling Plains and even into the High Plains. The first observation of a javelina at the Matador Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cottle County was around 1997. Encounters at the WMA are now relatively common, and it is estimated that several herds reside on the WMA. The observed increase in observations in the Rolling Plains led to the opening of javelina hunting seasons in several Rolling Plains counties. The most recent was the opening of a javelina season in Hardeman County in 2019.

Most research on javelina in Texas has been limited to the South Texas Plains and Trans-Pecos ecoregions. In South Texas there have been studies on nutrition and food habits (Gallagher et al. 1984; Corn and Warren 1985; Elston et al. 2005), competition with feral hogs (Sus scrofa) (Ilse and Hellgren 1995; Gabor and Hellgren 2000), demography (Hellgren et al. 1995), and home range (Ellisor and Harwell 1969). In the Trans-Pecos there has been research on habitat selection (Green et al. 2001) and observations published about associations between mule deer and javelina (Krausman et al. 1999).

It is unclear whether javelina in the Rolling Plains exhibit similar demography, movement patterns, and dietary selection as those in more southern ecoregions. In South Texas, prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) is a primary component of peccary diets (Corn and Warren 1985, Theimer and Bateman 1992); however, it is not known if or how important prickly pear may be in Rolling Plains javelina diets. Collared peccaries are poorly adapted for cold weather (Byers and Bekoff 1981), yet temperatures in the Rolling Plains regularly drop well below freezing for extended periods during winter months, and javelina not only persist but appear to be expanding their range.

In order to best manage javelina and set hunting seasons and bag limits, it is necessary for TPWD to obtain basic life history, habitat selection, and demographic information on javelina populations in the Rolling Plains. We propose a radio telemetry study to investigate these objectives. Understanding habitat selection and food habits of collared peccaries in the Rolling Plains would help TPWD understand how javelina adapt to the Rolling Plains ecoregion and ensure future management actions promote sustainable populations of this important big game species.

Justification

The 2015 TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan contains four specific goals. Research to further our knowledge of javelina life history and demographics as it relates to movements and dispersal, habitat and habitat component use, and survival in northern Texas falls within goal one and associated strategies:

• Goal 1: Practice, encourage and enable science-based stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
  • TPWD will be an exemplary steward of the public’s lands and waters by using the best available science for ecosystem-based management.
  • TPWD will maintain, restore, and protect healthy ecosystems on public lands.
  • TPWD will maintain the highest level of scientific validity and credibility.

Research Objectives

The study design should address these main objectives:

1. Evaluate javelina habitat selection, home range size, and territory overlap.
2. Conduct a diet study to describe the seasonal food habits of collared peccaries in the Rolling Plains.
3. Collect demographic data to determine survival and fecundity, as well as herd composition.

The Matador WMA should serve as the main study site. Ranches located within and near Cottle, King, Motley, Childress, and Foard Counties may also serve as supplemental study sites or replicates. We predict that such research must be conducted for a minimum of 3 years to collect meaningful data.

Expected Management Implications

This project will provide new and essential information on a variety of javelina life history topics. Most importantly, results obtained from this research will assist TPWD in assessing populations in order to set seasons and bag limits at the county level and gain an understanding of the potential impacts habitat management may have on javelina in the Rolling Plains ecoregion and the rest of the state.