Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: Mr Mykiss on November 02, 2016, 06:47:04 AM

Title: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 02, 2016, 06:47:04 AM: So let's say I've found a place with mountain goats and it's a relatively "easy" tag to draw....should I try for it? Only downside is that I wouldn't be able to apply for deer or elk controlled hunts in Idaho next year.
I guess to me Mt Goats represent the quintessential "trophy species" because you're either really rich or really lucky to have bought/drawn a tag and they're either a 7 incher, 8 incher or 9.25 incher.
So why hunt goats I guess is the question...I dunno. Enlighten me.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 02, 2016, 06:56:36 AM: Do it. Goats are a tough animal and any goat is a trophy goat.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: trophyhunt on November 02, 2016, 07:00:50 AM: Its a no brainer for me, like Plat said, do it! You may never draw in this state, if you haven't. I was considering applying for sheep in Idaho in the next couple years, good luck.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: jackelope on November 02, 2016, 07:09:58 AM: Do it. If you're into mountain hunting, there's nothing more quintessential than a big billy. Go for it.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: theleo on November 02, 2016, 07:17:27 AM: As long as you have the money to pay for the tag when you apply and can live without apply for any deer, elk, and antelope in Idaho next year, then go for it.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: nwwanderer on November 02, 2016, 07:27:02 AM: Do it, mine is etched deep
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: CLARKTAR on November 02, 2016, 07:53:04 AM: No brainer for me. I love hunting in mountains, and getting up above treeline is where I feel most alive.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: boneaddict on November 02, 2016, 08:41:34 AM: That's what I have been trying to do.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: JLS on November 02, 2016, 08:47:03 AM: Quote from: jackelope on November 02, 2016, 07:09:58 AM
Do it. If you're into mountain hunting, there's nothing more quintessential than a big billy. Go for it.

This. Mountain goat hunting CAN be the pinnacle of mountain hunting. Certainly there are some districts across the west where a mountain goat hunt may be no different than your run of the mill deer hunt.

However, should you go on a horse or backpacking venture into the wilds where the goats live, it will be a hunt you won't forget. Goat hunting is about the total adventure. If you're in it for inches, don't bother. I truly believe that goat hunting is only fully appreciated by folks who have matured as a hunter and GET the entire experience.

I shot my goat when I was 27. I wasn't quite there yet. It was a great hunt, and one that I'll forever remember, but in all honesty I would rather do it at this point in my life, as I could have more fully appreciated the experience and the opportunity for all that it really offered. I was more concerned about killing a goat than I was about savoring the opportunity.

My :twocents:
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: jackmaster on November 02, 2016, 08:51:01 AM: Why? Because they are huge animals and cool to look at, I got to go to a place with TROPHYHUNT and we snuck up on this billy actually I think the billy snuck up on us and I could t get over the size of them, definetly bigger than my pigmy goats holy smokes.. and not many regular people get the chance.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Falcon on November 02, 2016, 09:33:58 AM: I have been lucky to have drawn 2 tags in Washington back in the day.
Its a better experience to do it while you are young enough to handle the brutal terrain they live in.
A goat is a cool looking animal on the wall, and I pretty much guarantee you the experience will be long lasting.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: trophyhunt on November 02, 2016, 10:04:37 AM: Quote from: Falcon on November 02, 2016, 09:33:58 AM
I have been lucky to have drawn 2 tags in Washington back in the day.
Its a better experience to do it while you are young enough to handle the brutal terrain they live in.
A goat is a cool looking animal on the wall, and I pretty much guarantee you the experience will be long lasting.
Very nice goat Bryan.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Bob33 on November 02, 2016, 10:08:33 AM: You could (a) do it now when you know the odds are good and you know where some goats are, or (b) wait until you're older and less able to get into the mountains, and possibly have fewer goats or worse draw odds.

I know which option I'd choose.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: boneaddict on November 02, 2016, 10:24:51 AM: Nice thing about Idaho. NO POINT GAME
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Falcon on November 02, 2016, 11:22:28 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on November 02, 2016, 10:24:51 AM
Nice thing about Idaho. NO POINT GAME

:yeah:
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Falcon on November 02, 2016, 11:23:41 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on November 02, 2016, 10:04:37 AM
Quote from: Falcon on November 02, 2016, 09:33:58 AM
I have been lucky to have drawn 2 tags in Washington back in the day.
Its a better experience to do it while you are young enough to handle the brutal terrain they live in.
A goat is a cool looking animal on the wall, and I pretty much guarantee you the experience will be long lasting.
Very nice goat Bryan.

Draw a tag and lets go :drool:
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: coachcw on November 03, 2016, 05:38:42 AM: Do it while you still Can ! good luck .
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 03, 2016, 07:22:35 AM: Not much debate here, eh?
"I love you honey. What that charge? IDFG? Never heard of it. Must be fraud. I'll call the bank. Love you."
Just practicing...
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: nwhunter on November 03, 2016, 07:35:38 AM: I am an elk guy but have always been intrigued by mountain goats and wanted to get one before I was "too old". You have to walk thru and above sheep country to get to goat country is what they say. Mountain goats are tough beautiful animals and like has been said its about the whole experience and the beauty of the whole animal, long hair and all rather than dreaming of a 400 inch bull. I tried the Idaho deal to thinking the odds were easy but gave up after years of not selecteds..... However you have to get on a goat hunt if its what you really want to do go for it you won't be dissapointed if you are in shape. I dreamed about it and saved for it and finally figured out a way to do it so anyone can....Go for it...
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: go4steelhd on November 03, 2016, 03:22:17 PM: I have put in Idaho for Mt. goat every for the last 9 years. And I put in in the easy units to draw. I would not hold my breath on drawing. My dream hunt would be a combo Mule deer, elk, Mt goat hunt in Idaho. Also you may do some research on how they actually run there draw. It is very miss leading on the odds.
Maybe next year I will draw :dunno:
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Jpmiller on November 03, 2016, 08:45:56 PM: I ran into the biggest Billy I have ever seen on the opener of elk. Since then I have been looking at draws for most the western states. I would do it if it is within your means.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Falcon on November 03, 2016, 08:55:53 PM: Quote from: Mr Mykiss on November 03, 2016, 07:22:35 AM
Not much debate here, eh?
"I love you honey. What that charge? IDFG? Never heard of it. Must be fraud. I'll call the bank. Love you."
Just practicing...

Idaho goat moose and sheep are all the same price. I think it's 2100 bones
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 04, 2016, 11:56:28 AM: Quote from: go4steelhd on November 03, 2016, 03:22:17 PM
I have put in Idaho for Mt. goat every for the last 9 years. And I put in in the easy units to draw. I would not hold my breath on drawing. My dream hunt would be a combo Mule deer, elk, Mt goat hunt in Idaho. Also you may do some research on how they actually run there draw. It is very miss leading on the odds.
Maybe next year I will draw :dunno:
By "misleading" do you mean the most straightforward drawing process in the United States?? I don't even think that eastman's could eff up the ID draw odds...wait I take that back.

I guess the deal is that I don't get either warm, nor fuzzy when I think about hunting goats...trying to get there.
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: go4steelhd on November 04, 2016, 07:53:48 PM: Well how the draw works is all the names or actual numbers are let's call it put into a hat. This is for all mt goat hunts not just the unit you put in for. Then they draw number one and he draws what ever unit he put in for. Then they draw number two and he draws what ever unit he put in for. They keep doing this until all the tags are spoken for. So the odds are not 1 in 8 ish like you may think. It's closer to like 60 to 1000 odds. But they can very greatly with this system; especially as a non resident. In part due to as a non resident when the quota is hit they throw the rest out of the draw. So you can put in for a unit that has 4 tags that have not been drawn yet; but guys drew in another unit so the quota is met. And you are thrown out of the draw before one person drew the area you put in for.

With all of this being said it's still the best odds in the lower 48 states. So I put in :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Mountain Goat question
Post by: tonymoe on November 09, 2016, 10:14:06 AM: I believe mt. Goats are under rated. A lot of my hunting friends dont care for them. Maybe if they have lived with them for a few days or got off the couch and trekked with me in goat country, they might get it. I hold goats high on my list, in fact, nothing is higher! I've said it before, I'd give up all the animals I've taken if it meant I could have 1 shot at a goat!
IMHO, the most majestic animal I've ever laid eyes on.