NEW GOAT UNIT Conflict Reduction

[jackelope]

Why the need to relocate these goats?  Are they non-native?

Human/goat conflict.
There will be some relocation, but until that happens....WDFW is allowing some additional hunting opportunities.

[shanevg]

Why the need to relocate these goats?  Are they non-native?

Human/goat conflict.
There will be some relocation, but until that happens....WDFW is allowing some additional hunting opportunities.

Both. NPS has indicated a desire to cull the entire herd from what I've heard.

[JimmyHoffa]

Why the need to relocate these goats?  Are they non-native?

Yes, and 'dangerous' because people think park=petting zoo.  The goats (well documented ones anyways) were brought in before it was even a park.  Hiking clubs wanted them so the Olympics would look more like the Cascades and partnered with a hunting group that went and got enough goats to be huntable (~1920s).  Now the big claim is that they are eating all the lichen and alpine flora.  The park tried shooting them from helicopters but that got shut down, so they switched to tranquilizing and flying them out for relocation.  Then a group sued and blocked it saying the flights were causing psych damage to goats.  There was a season on the NF side back up until the relocation got shut down.  Forest Circus and WDFW decided to end the hunt until their studies could be done.  Then goat stuff all got ignored until the guy got killed by a goat.

[EyeTooth]

I've been working for the past week and didn't notice this thread. Wish I would have before applying for goat. You guys are on top of it!

[magnumb]

Quote from fishngamereaper:

I've been applying for 18 years and have really good knowledge of the herds from Goat Rocks to Chelan. Although it is an OIL tag, if I do draw I want it to be for an area I enjoy going to and an area Ive been trying to draw for nearly half my life. I would not want to settle on a new area just because its an option. I've spent some time in the Olympics and the quality just doesn't seem to be there. Im not fond of the early seasons, no time for the goats to hair up, and Im not fond of the crowds.
[/quote]


I've also got 18 points for elk and feel exactly the same way you do about your knowledge of a certain area and hunting that area as you enjoy it so much.

We could just 'give up' on our preferred area's for draws/hunting and put in for area's with many more permits, but I just can't even start to entertain that idea.

I'll likely die of old age with 30 or so points and wish I had, however....... .