Blazed Ridge MT Goat Hunt

[ButcherBoy]

I was lucky enough to draw a goat tag in 2005 for the Blazed Ridge unit. Had a great time with my dad, son and father in law. We were able to hunt for about 10 days. We saw lots of goats,two very good shooters in my book with the help of a few very good people. Any way hope you enjoy the pics.
 




TK

[RubblesPH]

Wow Butcherboy...long time no talk.  Those are great pics and look very familiar!  Lets see some success pics and hear the story.

Good to see your still out there, hope all is well. Drue

[ButcherBoy]

Drue,
I'm still alive. Thanks for all the help you and Todd provided. Nice buck you got that same year!!

Here is the story.
Started out with three days of "just scouting" during the first part of the season with a 10 day "hunt" planned 4 days after that. Looked over the land the first day spotting a few goats. Second day of scouting found a few more but no real nice billys. lots of nannys and kids with a few small billys. The last day of scouting we planned on heading home that afternoon. We got up before sunrise and looked over the cliffs that we saw the most goats on the first morning. At first light I was looking over the cliffs when I spotted a Lone goat at the very top of the cliffs in his bed. You could tell he was a good goat from a ways off so I wanted to got a closer look. I had my rifle with me just in case.

Here are the pics play by play.
First pic is looking across the cliffs. He was bedded all the way at the far end.
 


Second is right in his bed looking back from where I started.


As I worked my way to him he busted me and headed down the cliff. I watched him with the spotting scope feed for awhile at 150 yards. I should have shot him right then and there. I told myself that I didn't want the hunt to end that soon so I passed on the shot and I also had to be at work the next day and with a 2 week vac I wasn't too worried. Put the camera on the spotting scope and got a few pics of him.

He is the white spot all the way down at the edge of the drop off.


Little closer.




Closer still.


We came back four days later and never saw him again. We hunted hard for seven days for him and finally got hold of Todd and he put us on to another spot that he might be. We got to the area a little bit before first light and set up across the cliffs. We spotted a bunch of goats right off the bat. After glassing for about a hour we spotted a lone goat up higher than the rest. He looked like a shooter so I decided to go after him.

In his bed across the canyon,


On the move,


I moved my way across the canyon to a spot where I could just see his head at 205 yards. I could see his head but not any of his body. I waited about an hour and something finally caused him to stand and look up the cliff. At the shot he went down pretty hard but still slide about 50 yards. Here he is.




 
Thanks for the help!!!
Tony

[280ackley]

Nice Goat and love the pics.  Thanks for sharing.

[bobcat]

Cool pictures. Thanks for sharing them, and the story! I will probably never go on a mountain goat hunt, the odds of drawing are pretty bad, especially when you don't even apply!

[Hunting Cowboy]

Great photo's and story Tony! Glad you shared. What did you do for a mount on that critter?
Mike

[ButcherBoy]

Thanks it was a great hunt.
Mike,
Todd is doing a lifesize mount. I'll post pics later.

[cohoho]

Excellent story and photos, any goat is a true trophy, all the time...... 

[M_ray]

Very cool! I love the pics and story Thanks! I can't wait to draw that tag 

[boneaddict]

Great pics and story!  Can't wait to see the mount.  Maybe this year for me..I'm in about 4 states.

[Cougeyes]

That is one hunt and one unit I want to draw.  I was up there two summers ago and saw tons of goats.  Awesome pictures and a quality animal.

[GoldTip]

Awesome story and great pics.  Congrats on a tremendous trophy!

[sasquatch]

Congrats! Great story and photos. Someday.......

[Ray]

Thanks for the report. I enjoyed reading it.

[Muleyslyr]

Great story and pics.  Looks like a great area to draw.  Thanks for sharing.