WDFW announces mountain goat removal in Olympic National Park

[nwhunter]

I agree but the original option was to have helicopters with with gunners killing them and leaving them lay so at least this way the majority of the goats can be recovered with hunters involved..

[Jonathan_S]

I wanna know how many people are going to pass up shooting nannies and kids on a search for a booner billy.

I'm planning on going in there with a Nemo Omen and shooting everything white that moves.

Jealous.  Always wanted one of those Nemo Omen's......

Oh I don't have one lol. Having one is probably more realistic than going on this hunt.

[kselkhunter]

I wanna know how many people are going to pass up shooting nannies and kids on a search for a booner billy.

I'm planning on going in there with a Nemo Omen and shooting everything white that moves.

Jealous.  Always wanted one of those Nemo Omen's......

Oh I don't have one lol. Having one is probably more realistic than going on this hunt.

True.   Only a fraction of people applying will get selected.

But those 338 Win Mag Nemo Omen's I looked at on their website awhile back were cool.  Darn near bought one.   

[fishngamereaper]

I agree but the original option was to have helicopters with with gunners killing them and leaving them lay so at least this way the majority of the goats can be recovered with hunters involved..

And hunter's will take the blame as opposed to the park service and their hired marksmen.   

[bigtex]

What is WDFW’s roll in this? Unless I missed it, you don’t even have to be a Wa resident.

Minimal.

Technically WDFW does not have jurisdiction within Olympic or Mt. Rainier National Parks since they are exclusive federal jurisdiction (similar to a military base) however the NPS does let WDFW assist on some projects.

[JimmyHoffa]

Removing these goats has never made sense to me but with that said this is the second most sensible thing the Park has decided to do along with the capture and transplant. I am all for sportsmen/women/hunters being involved as management tools in this project. It looks like they did their homework on being as informative as possible about how tough a hunt this will be and getting serious experienced applicants. I hope everyone keeps this positive as its one of the few positive things we have had in this state especially hunting related in awhile with all the closures and uncertainty. .Could be a cool opportunity for the right people..

Wow, no kidding.  Really interesting how in depth the park went in the descriptions.  I noticed they have Mt Constance and Deception as one area....no understating how tough that one is.  Then Olympus, the first 13 miles isn't bad, but the last 5 is a slog.  I was planning to hike Olympus/Blue Glacier anyways this summer, but this would be so much cooler.  I guess that's why the park wants a doctor to sign off on applicants.  Some lucky hunters are going to have some fun.

[Tbar]

I agree but the original option was to have helicopters with with gunners killing them and leaving them lay so at least this way the majority of the goats can be recovered with hunters involved..

This is round one.  Helicopters will still be needed.

[Jellymon]

 

[HntnFsh]

I agree but the original option was to have helicopters with with gunners killing them and leaving them lay so at least this way the majority of the goats can be recovered with hunters involved..

And hunter's will take the blame as opposed to the park service and their hired marksmen.   

You beat me to it. I can see this getting skewed very quickly and easily to give hunters a black eye.
This culling effort isnt going to have hunters going in and killing a goat and packing that 1 goat out. Its going in and killing as many as you can whether billies, nannies or kids and if you happen to pack some out. Well thats ok. Honestly the whole thing disgusts me. I couldnt shoot 1 of such a majestic animal let alone multiples of them just to leave them lay and go to waste. Thats just me though.

Considering the options if somebody else wanted to do it I understand thats their choice. I wouldnt hold it against them because it is a little better than the given alternative. But I hope they know they arent going on a goat hunt per se. But a killing expedition. I honestly think there will be teams that will go in there with full intentions to do as asked. Kill every goat they see. But when the time comes they will kill a goat or 2 and realize thats all they will be able to get out and stop at that.

[fishngamereaper]

And these hunts being after the relocation happens I suspect there won't be that many goat's left. And the ones left will be super spooked from being chased around all summer by Helio's. Half that country requires technical climbing skills.  It's definitely not going to be your typical goat hunt.

[Bullkllr]

I've seen that country- and for that reason-"I'm out!"

[fishngamereaper]

Just checked again..still steep

[Karl Blanchard]

I think it’s important people make sure they read all the info. This is not a “dream hunt”.

  lot of folks with stars in their eyes right now. Understandably so, but people really need to be honest with themselves about all that this entails

You know it rains up in them mountains...I thought you East side guys melt in the rain 

Maybe you should sit this out and let some Westside guys handle it ...

it's all good! I already called dibs on Bullblasters rain gear again 

[opdinkslayer]

Can you have a non resident on the team?

[kselkhunter]

Can you have a non resident on the team?

It's being operated by the National Park Service.  Not WDFW.  NPS just used WDFW's email contact system to get the word out.   All communications for this are directly with the Feds.  There is no residency requirement, just US citizenship.  Plus signing up as an unpaid NPS volunteer employee, agreeing to the social media contract, physician's note, etc. other requirements listed.