Yes, same road.
I remember looking down at the lakes many times during scouting.
The rock wall, AKA the Russian Butte in background looked knarly.
I guess its time to tell the story!
I scouted the unit in the summer. Talked with the bio Rocky Spencer about the unit. May he rest in peace....
He was very helpful and told me the Granite lake area was good.
I hunted the opener with a friend. Jumped a herd of goats in the timber. They got away with ease.
Hunted day 2 but saw nothing.
Day 3 saw me hunting alone. Around 1 hour before dark I spotted a lone billy bedded up against a rock wall chewing his cud.
He was looking pretty sleepy. I was at least 1200 yards away. This was the days before range finders
Anyway, after looking at him thru the spotter I knew he was a billy.
I traversed the rock garden and got what I thought was pretty close. When I peeked over a rock to see how close I was, it was really close. I am talking maybe 50 yards. I carefully slipped my gun up, and shot him in the shouldar with my 7mm mag loaded with a 175
nosler. He jumped out of his bed, and ran into the timber to my left before I could even chamber a bullet. I walked up to his bed and there was not a spot of blood. I thought to myself there was no way I missed him at 50 yards.
Anyway, it was getting dark and I was by myself. I walked around the corner and 5 minutes later I heard some ruckus above me.
Here comes Mr, Billy barelling down the mtn on a suicide mission. I put 2 more rounds in him, and he lay kicking outside down in a snag
over looking the cliff. I kinda felt sorry for him but quickly put a round thru his heart to end his agony.
It was almost dark, so I field dressed him, and placed a stick between hi cavity to get good air flow.
I came in the next day with my brother Eric and packed him out.
With the 2 goats I have killed I have learned a couple of things.
1. They are pound for pound the toughest animal in Nortth America to put down.
2. When you draw your tag, be careful hunting them because they can go places you can only dream
Best of luck to those who draw tags this year.
They are a awesome animal to hunt, and a great addition to anyones trophy room.
