Conflict goat hunt?

[Ridgerunner]

If that is true I'd hate to draw that tag then. 

[shanevg]

I still think it's stupid that WDFW encourages you to shoot the first goat you see but then that counts as your OIL goat. I put in for that tag but it would be state record with a bow or bust for me. I won't give up my chance at a Mt Baker tag for a lesser billy. Really hope WDFW changes the conflict reduction tag to make it the same as a ewe sheep or cow moose tag (I.e. doesnt count as your once in lifetime harvest.)

I totally disagree with you. I think its stupid that the state split up goat into different categories. Having 12,000 applicants for a total of 27 permits, the state should have left goat as 1 category and had a note on the Olympic permits that the hunt is a conflict hunt to reduce goat populations, that the goats can be few and far between and that hunter history has shown that hunter success in these areas has been substantially less than other areas. This way people would know there chance of success is low and that any goat harvest is OIL.

I'm not actually entirely against your suggestion.  In my opinion there are two logical options:
1. Have all goat tags in a single category which would potentially lead to good (or at least better) odds on the conflict reduction tags.
2. Or have two separate categories like they do now but in order to encourage conflict goat reduction (and therefore shooting any goat) do not have it count as your once in lifetime harvest.

Basically having the goat count as your OIL harvest basically defeats any reason for splitting it into two categories.

[shanevg]

I just got off the phone with wdfw, the conflict tag is in fact a oil tag and prevents you from applying for goats again in Washington state.

I believe that more accurately, harvesting a goat prevents you from ever applying for goats again in WA.  You can hunt and not harvest a goat and then continue applying again in other categories.

[sneakyjake]

 I was curious about that, I felt like it was a mistake now that I put in for that hunt but if I just don't hunt it then can I still put in for the regular hunts?

[Duckslayer89]

I was curious about that, I felt like it was a mistake now that I put in for that hunt but if I just don't hunt it then can I still put in for the regular hunts?

If you draw and don't hunt it I think your crazy. It's if you kill one you can't put in again. If you don't kill one you can keep applying. Why not look for a nice one?

[scoutdog346]

Its so hard to get a goat tag. unless u have over 25 points u might as well go for it cuz odds are you probably won't get drawn.  It's more likely you won't get drawn then get drawn if u look at the #s.

[Bushcraft]

I still think it's stupid that WDFW encourages you to shoot the first goat you see but then that counts as your OIL goat. I put in for that tag but it would be state record with a bow or bust for me. I won't give up my chance at a Mt Baker tag for a lesser billy. Really hope WDFW changes the conflict reduction tag to make it the same as a ewe sheep or cow moose tag (I.e. doesnt count as your once in lifetime harvest.)

I respect your passion Shane, and it's entirely possible I'm reading you wrong here, but I'd urge you to reflect on the rarity of winning a OIL permit and the quality of the OIL experience you'd have on that hunt with your friends vs. the small fraction of an inch difference in the size of the horns to get a new state record billy.

Obviously, Mt. Baker has a special place in your heart and you want the hunt to take place, but it doesn't necessarily have the largest billies in the state.  I feel the same way about big mule deer in the sense that I love the area I go for High Buck.  I hunt it every year my schedule and fire access allows, but I do so knowing full well the odds of wrapping my tag on the rack of a 200"+ buck are very, very small indeed.  Big horns and antlers are neat, but I'll happily trade inches for unforgettable life experiences in amazing places with good friends.

Just so everyone knows, SCI and RMGA has a strong desire to help WDFW transplant goats from the Olympics into different parts of the state where populations could use a boost of new genetics.  It'll cost some dough, but conserving them is a far better alternative than hiring some helicopter cowboys to just shoot them in the park.  For that matter, the recent ruling in Alaska & Wyoming may help us gain hunting access for goats in the Olympic National Park.  Stay tuned.

[jackmaster]

Reading the regs it says if you harvest a goat with the conflict tag, your done hunting goats( except raffle and auction tags).  It also encourages you to shoot any goat and says there may be few goats in those areas.  I think I will call tomorrow and move my choices to only ghost point, doesn't sound like a unit with trophy potential. Maybe it will change in the future?

Man up and put in for that bad boy hunt😁💥😁

yeah, quit being a sissy lala, I been telling you to grow a set but you just never listen.. Hike up that dress boy..

[trophyhunt]

Reading the regs it says if you harvest a goat with the conflict tag, your done hunting goats( except raffle and auction tags).  It also encourages you to shoot any goat and says there may be few goats in those areas.  I think I will call tomorrow and move my choices to only ghost point, doesn't sound like a unit with trophy potential. Maybe it will change in the future?

Man up and put in for that bad boy hunt😁💥😁

yeah, quit being a sissy lala, I been telling you to grow a set but you just never listen.. Hike up that dress boy..

isnt she cute!

[Falcon]

I have killed 2 billies in this state.  84 and 99.  I'm done and I'm happy to let others pursue this awesome animal.  Having said that, if I had max points with no harvested goats, I would still put in for that conflict hunt...   It's been years ago, but the brothers wilderness still hold goats and I would be happy to pursue 1 in that country.  I've have summited the Brothers 3 different times.  It pretty much a overnight deal, but doable in some fairly easy class 3 alpine climbing.  The odds are drawing a goat permit are dismal.  I would rather go down swinging than wait around until I'm too old to hunt a Mtn goat. 

 
Bryan