Help and input... South Chelan Goat-What would you do???

[bowtech]

Well... I got the official word on my hunt and to say the least I'm not happy. My OIL has turned into a big heartbreak.

Option 1: Send back the tag and get points(21... I think) and money back.

Option 2: Keep the tag and hope to kill a goat in the small open part of the unit and hope that more opens by the end of the season Nov. 30th.

I am looking for any input people have. Anybody see goats in box canyon lately? The area just opened about a week ago and I am hunting archery elk this weekend. I have to make the call by Monday. I am pretty young, 33, so there is a decent chance I will draw sometime in my life.

What would you do???

[MtnMuley]

Tough decision and I feel really bad for you. Personally, I'd be inclined to get my points and money back. Risk isn't worth the reward in that country this year. Just my thoughts. Wish the dept. would allow you your unit and if goats weren't around, let you hunt the north shore, but that won't happen. Best of luck either way.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Option 2!  It is likely to be your only chance to hunt goats in Washington state, regardless of points restoration. 

[Bob33]

Your odds of getting drawn again are extremely low: 1 in several hundred. I'd keep the tag.

[JoeE]

I'd keep the tag. A lot could change between now and the end of the season. You really only need that last week of the season and I kike your odds of getting more land to open up vs drawing the tag again.

[Timberstalker]

I'd have to keep it. Your chances of drawing go down every year.

[Dan-o]

I'd keep it........... and hope more country opens in Nov.   

[Turner89]

I'd keep the tag. A lot could change between now and the end of the season. You really only need that last week of the season and I kike your odds of getting more land to open up vs drawing the tag again.

I feel for ya dude. Good luck!

[bradslam]

Mountain goats move around a lot.  Even if there weren't goats where you could hunt them right now, that doesn't mean some won't show up later on.  You may be fairly young, but that doesn't mean that you will get drawn in the future.  My dad was drawn in 1984 and never drew again (he probably put in 25 times or so after that).  I drew a tag in '86 and again in '94, but haven't drawn since.  If you don't kill one, you can still apply. Yes, you'll lose your points, but there are always people who get drawn for tags who don't have many points built up.

Bottom line: If it was me, I probably would keep the tag.  I might even be tempted to blow off a weekend of elk hunting and make a goat scouting trip.

[outdooraddict]

I HAVE THE NORTH CHELAN TAG AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR WITH THE FIRES, BUT I DONT THINK YOUR ODDS ARE GREAT TO DRAW AGAIN, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN BUT YOUR ODDS ARE DEFINITLY NOT IN YOUR FAVOR.  THE GOATS DIDNT ALL BURN UP, THEY ARE STILL THERE SOMEWHERE. I THINK IT IS VERY FOOLISH TO TURN THAT TAG BACK IN.  I AM NOT SURE THAT YOU WILL GET TO RE APPLY IF YOU DONT KILL ONE, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS ONCE YOU DRAW IT, YOU ARE DONE NO MATTER WHAT THE END RESULT IS. I COULD BE WRONG THOUGH, ANY OTHER INPUT ON THAT?

[Romulus1297]

I would go on a helicopter ride to see where they are. Either side of the lake and then make a plan.

[GurrCentral]

I would hunt. Even with max points, there is no guarantee you will ever draw again for WA. Good luck!

[Ridgerunner]

Tough spot to be in, easy decision though, even with 21 points and being young your odds of drawing again are very very low and going down each year.  Keep the tag, I expect things to change a lot between now and end of November, make the most of it, this might be your only chance.,....

[time2hunt]

I agree keep the tag and rent a plane or helicopter for a day and do some scouting. Good luck and happy hunting


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[bradslam]

I HAVE THE NORTH CHELAN TAG AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR WITH THE FIRES, BUT I DONT THINK YOUR ODDS ARE GREAT TO DRAW AGAIN, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN BUT YOUR ODDS ARE DEFINITLY NOT IN YOUR FAVOR.  THE GOATS DIDNT ALL BURN UP, THEY ARE STILL THERE SOMEWHERE. I THINK IT IS VERY FOOLISH TO TURN THAT TAG BACK IN. I AM NOT SURE THAT YOU WILL GET TO RE APPLY IF YOU DONT KILL ONE, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS ONCE YOU DRAW IT, YOU ARE DONE NO MATTER WHAT THE END RESULT IS. I COULD BE WRONG THOUGH, ANY OTHER INPUT ON THAT?

Incorrect.  Taken directly from the regulations:
Who May Apply:
Anyone, except those who harvested a mountain goat in Washington state after 1998. Except for auction and raffle permitted hunts, an individual may only harvest one mountain goat during his or her lifetime. This once in a lifetime restriction includes both "Goat" and "Goat - Conflict Reduction" categories.