goat question

[Falcon]

Yeah with goat I don't think points matter much. Looks like odds of about 1 in 1300.

Points matter, but your odds still suck.  I have 27 sheep points.  Squared that’s 729 against the guy that has 1.  Having said that, my odds of drawing still suck big time

and you were very close last year!!  But one year I was first looser, following year, around 2,000  with over 20 points!

TH........Thanks for being the score keeper

[WAcoueshunter]

Man... I REALLY hate to be THAT guy.... but when I am 85 and finally draw, I am going to say neener, neener, neener and die trying to just get to the trailhead... BUT, I'll have a tag

 

That’s what I’m thinking too. Maybe I’ll have some grandkids to haul me up there!

[Stein]

Well, considering that the odds to draw actually go down every year, you are more likely to draw this year than when you are 85.

[Igottanewknee]

So what you're saying is, although I'm 65, if I put in for the first time now, I have a better chance?? That's it, I'm putting in this year...then never again. Just might get lucky. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Got to do it once in 1984, friend drew a tag, I got a refund and paid fuel...
.
Toughest hunt I ever did.
.
You think elk like to die in some nasty places?
.
I was happy just to get off that cliff..

[Falcon]

Got to do it once in 1984, friend drew a tag, I got a refund and paid fuel...
.
Toughest hunt I ever did.
.
You think elk like to die in some nasty places?
.
I was happy just to get off that cliff..

If that ain’t the truth.  In 84, I was super excited and called Rocky Spencer who was the bio in Pratt River unit.   He gave me some good advice, but the last thing he said was, don’t hunt goats alone, and be super careful because no goat is worth your life      

[22shtur]

In 1998, I went with a friend to glass his unit, to find the goats and pick a route. It was heavy fog, but we could see the ridge above the fog. We located them on the ridge and went back to the truck to get our stuff. When the fog lifted around the truck, we saw a billy lying about 50 yards north of the truck sleeping. It was a big one. My friend is always saying; if it weren't for dumb luck, he wouldn't have any luck.

[actionshooter]

Man... I REALLY hate to be THAT guy.... but when I am 85 and finally draw, I am going to say neener, neener, neener and die trying to just get to the trailhead... BUT, I'll have a tag

 

That’s what I’m thinking too. Maybe I’ll have some grandkids to haul me up there!

I have twin grandsons who are 4 years old... training them little buggers up just for that.. LOL   

[DeerThug]

I would say that a goat hunt is about as physical as you can get.  That said there are places you can get to with moderate physical / age ability and still be successful.  In my hunt I spent every weekend the summer before honing in on where I was going to hunt.  What i learned was that they do spend most of the time out on the cliffs, but at some point cross over the ridge where the feed is.  This is where access to them is a little easier.  Figure this out and it is doable.  Good gear is what i would say is key - something that was lacking.  I had 4 other guys with me and with the 5 of us it was still a lot of work.  I chose to go early, the later in the season the more of a challenge you have.

But I do also agree with the sentiment that if you are not physically able or willing to actually put in the work, then yes do a self assessment and please bow out of the draw. 

[Cylvertip]

Boulder River North would be my guess. Drew the tag in 2016, walked the trail to Goat Flats on Three fingers and shot a near nine inch Billy. Having a trail to work from really helps! I did spent a few months dieting and stair climbing so that helped. I was 47 at the time and it really kicked my ass, even after working out. I did it solo and it took nine hours to get back to my truck on the pack out. Had to drop equipment halfway was just too much, my pack was over 100 pounds, and I was hand carrying a bag of stuff that would not fit on, or in my pack.

Biggest thing I would do different is spend more on a bigger pack, and use walking sticks. When I went back a couple days later to retrieve my gear I brought them along and was a huge improvement getting up the trail. 

I think I heard there was a newer washout on the road in that adds several miles to the trek in.

@addicted

Yeah, the bridge at Canyon Creek is impassable now. Mile marker 8.5 I believe.  That only puts you about halfway in to the trailhead. The good news is that you have 8.9 more miles to gain the next 1300 ft while on the road.  Then I think it is about another 8 in on the actual trail......

[Flaming Antler Outdoors]

A lot of talk about the guy that likely can't do a goat hunt, what about all the guys that could do (1) day and likely wake up the next day and be so sore they would bow out   If you got weak ankles or knees or back?  Don't even try! Best thing a person could do is go up to goat country this summer for a day and take a look. 

[Jpmiller]

A lot of talk about the guy that likely can't do a goat hunt, what about all the guys that could do (1) day and likely wake up the next day and be so sore they would bow out   If you got weak ankles or knees or back?  Don't even try! Best thing a person could do is go up to goat country this summer for a day and take a look.

What if it's my hips that always get sore first? Will I be ok?

[millerwheeler]

I think there are several hunts some people can’t physically and or even mentally do

[GOcougsHunter]

I think there are several hunts some people can’t physically and or even mentally do

  I couldn't agree more.  And that statement isn't even just for goats.  There are a ton of elk, deer and other permits which are very difficult for many different reasons.  I make sure that all of the hunts I apply for have a reasonable chance at doing the permit justice either physically or securing access.  I have talked to quite a few folks out of putting in for permits that look fantastic, but in reality would be a whole pile of suck for them.

[Ghost Hunter]

Could be why there are no disability goat permits?