Mountain Goat Areas Goat Rocks & Tieton River

[Wad-Cutter]

I've scoured the forum for info on goat hunting in the Goat Rocks / Tieton River areas.  There's some pretty decent information.  But, I'm wondering if anyone out there has some more in-depth info they'd like to share?  I've been putting in for the just the points for some years, and have finally amassed just enough preference points, that I should start getting serious about scouting and actually applying for the real hunt.  So, I'll be getting into it as soon as the snow melts enough in 2015 to get up in there & start learning the area.  I'm mostly curious about what trail heads are best to enter from, whether the west-side or east-side of the units hold more of the larger billies, which trails / areas are best to avoid, so as not to make a scene in front of non-hunting hikers that might not understand, etc..  Any info would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

[time2hunt]

I drew with 19 point you that close I hunt both sides this year lots and lots of goats biggest thing is to draw the tag


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[X-Force]

Unless your going to pony up for the governors tag I wouldn't worry to much about scouting. 1000+ people per tag. I doesn't really matter how many points you have the likelyhood of drawing is closer to 0 than 5%..maybe 2.5%

Fortunately, if you do draw everyone who knows the area you draw will come out of the wood work to help

Another refrense could be checking out successful hunts in GRW and seeing if you can find the ridges/areas billies were taken by the background.

[time2hunt]

Lilly basin


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[fishngamereaper]

Im curious, what amount of points does it take to get serious about the hunt..Ive been serious for 17 years

[Hawgdawg]

Unless your going to pony up for the governors tag I wouldn't worry to much about scouting. 1000+ people per tag. I doesn't really matter how many points you have the likelyhood of drawing is closer to 0 than 5%..maybe 2.5%

Fortunately, if you do draw everyone who knows the area you draw will come out of the wood work to help

Another refrense could be checking out successful hunts in GRW and seeing if you can find the ridges/areas billies were taken by the background.

Sure glad I hunted them in the early 70's we could get a tag every couple years. Almost buy them over the counter for those stinky Antelope.

[Wad-Cutter]

I drew with 19 point you that close I hunt both sides this year lots and lots of goats biggest thing is to draw the tag


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I admit, I've only got 10 points for each of three OIL's - not enough to get overly excited yet.  But, then again, the reg's list most of the goat hunts as drawing with an average of 10-11 points.  This next year is the first year I'll actually have the time to make a real try for it, so instead of just applying for the point, I'm going to actually try & draw a real hunt.  Yes, I'm resigned the fact that it might take another 9+ years to actually draw.  Sounds like that's more probable than drawing with only 10 points.  But, for me, a lot of the fun is in the preparation...  And, I've read there's elk to be had in there too, so while preparing for goat, perhaps I'll gain some knowledge on the area for elk while I'm at it.

Thanks for the pic time2hunt!  Nice goat!

[time2hunt]

I've heard of people drawing with less feel free to PM me and I will fill you in on what I know and learned


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[Falcon]

Goat is the now the most difficult of the 3 OIL tags to draw.
It has been for a few years.

I have drawn twice.
The first in 84 and the second in 99 which was the last year they made it once
In a lifetime.

My suggestion is of course keep putting in and pray you get lucky.
there really is nothing like a Mtn goat hunt.
Steep and rugged country and the once you have put some
Lead in one, you better hope it was a great anchor shot because
All of the stories you have heard about goats being the toughest
Animals Pound for pound to put down is true.

Best of luck in your permit dream.
Every hunter should have the awesome experience of hunting
These majestic animals once in their life.

[Bob33]

Im curious, what amount of points does it take to get serious about the hunt..Ive been serious for 17 years

With maximum points your odds will be around .5% for that tag. With less than maximum your odds will be less. You will have to decide if that is enough to get serious.

[Halo]

Cool hunt if you can draw, I did it in 2000. But Bob 33 is right your odds are VERY low, with 10 points I get less than 0.2%. The odds say if you apply every year for the rest of your life you will not draw. But somebody's gotta draw, It never hurts to dream. On the bright side even the Max point holders don't have much better odds than you, somewhere around 0.6%. Your mistake was applying for points only for all those years, you should have been putting in. There was about a 0.4% chance you would have drawn by now, not much but with odds like these you need all the help you can get. Good luck.

[Birdboy]

Great MT.goat. I bet that one is going on the wall!