montana goat. any advice.

[scottcrb]

so a a hunting buddy of mine got drawn for a Montana goat tag.  Neither of us have ever hunted for goat. he has been hunting big game for a while and has some good experience but if any of you have hunted Montana for goats or goats in general and have advice it would be greatly appreciated. The unit is north of  missoula not sure of the gmu or name yet. Thinking late September for the time frame. Thanks in advance for the help.

[RadSav]

My only advise it this:

#1: You are never in too good of shape for hunting goats!!  Find the steepest hill you can find and workout with 50 - 60# of water in your pack.  Higher the altitude the better.

#2: Talk to your doctor or local EMT about putting together a first class survival kit.  None of the commercial kits are worth a crap for goat hunters.  Nights on the mountain with no tent or sleeping bag get damn cold.  SOL bivy and blankets worth their weight in gold. Pack more than one.

#3: Snow, snow everywhere and not a drop to drink.  I am always amazed when goat hunting how little water there is to find even with snow all around us.  I carry two 100 oz Camelbak reservoirs and it's not always enough.

#4:  LaSportiva !!!!  Best apline boot I've ever worn.  Early season I wear the Trango Alp GTX.  Late season Nepal Evo GTX w/charcoal dressing before first oil application, (at first glance you will know why). http://www.sportiva.com/products/footwear/mountain/trango-alp-gtx

As far as finding goats and how to hunt them.  Well, like hunting anything I guess.  Move slow, glass a lot, be quiet and study where to shoot something with that much hair.  They are actually much easier to get close to than one might think.  That is if you can use two hands and climb like a mountain goat yourself.  Make sure your weapon can go on your back.

Without knowing the area I can't really give you more than that.  It's the hardest thing you will ever do to your body and beg for more!

[scottcrb]

thanks radsav i'll see if i can find out the unit and any more info.

[CAMPMEAT]

There's a natural salt lick out of Hungry Horse Mt that the goats go down to and lick the salt. It's on the south side of highway 2. Google it to find it.

[JLS]

Stalk them from above.  Trying to sneak from below is an exercise in futility.  Get high and glass.  Make sure that you can physically get to the goat before you pull the trigger.  Break the shoulder blades if possible then put a finisher in it.  You don't want your hard earned trophy sliding down an avalanche chute or falling off of a cliff.

If your unit allows it (i.e. access) I'd wait until mid October and let their hair get longer.

[MtnMuley]

We talkin white goats or prairie goats?

[JLS]

North of Missoula would mean slow goats.

[scottcrb]

yes mt goats.

[GoldTip]

There's a natural salt lick out of Hungry Horse Mt that the goats go down to and lick the salt. It's on the south side of highway 2. Google it to find it.

That is certainly a great place to see goats, but a very baaaaaad place to kill a goat.  Thats Glacier National Park right there.

If it's North of Missoula, it's most likely the area just north of Clearwater Junction in the Swan range.  Plenty big, rocky steep mountains back in that unit.  A buddy of mine killed a close to 11" nanny there back in 96-97 I think, they used horses to get back deep into the unit.  Should be a helluva hunt, good luck.

[scottcrb]

So the unit is 131. If anyone has hunted that area for goats or anything else I would love to talk to ya.

[scottcrb]

looks a little north east of missoula not much out there but big mountains.

http://fwpiis.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/MapApp/default.aspx?region=2&species=goat

[RadSav]

Bow, Bang stick or Smoke Pole?

[6x6in6]

I'll give my Dad a ring in the next couple days.  He lives east of Missoula and his best friend lives in Ravalli.  98% sure he had 131 goat tag 4-5 years ago.

[scottcrb]

Awesome thanks guys. It's gonna be modern firearm for this one.

[6x6in6]

Just got off the phone with Dad a little bit ago.  He's actually fishing with his friend this morning, drifting the Swan Riv there in the valley playing the catch and release game. 
So I spoke to Jim a little bit and he actually had the 133 tag to the east 6 years ago. 
He has spent an awful lot of time in the 131 in his 30 years or so if living in the valley.  What he said was your initial area to look should be down in the southwest corner of the unit.  Focus on the upper reaches of the forks of the Swan Riv along with the Glacier, Lost and Crescent Creek upper reaches.  Work your way north from there if nothing of your liking exists.
His words were "pray for the continued hot weather they are having because there is TONS of snow still up there.  It's melting fast but there is still a huge snow pack up there which could make for some difficult access come this fall."
His last words were there are a fair amount of goats up there.  He would be surprised if you pulled a book goat out of there but there are some very respectable animals up there.  You should have no problem punching your tag if you can get up to where they hang out.
He says good luck and he's very jealous for your opportunity.