Post by: jstone on January 29, 2017, 09:58:29 AM
Thank You
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 29, 2017, 10:01:54 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 29, 2017, 10:07:25 AM
I think they go to more treed areas. As long as the trees are above the snow, they can still get food--munch on the moss on the trees.
:yeah:
They don't migrate far, just to get cover from the wind. They are one tough animal. ;)
Post by: Okanagan on January 29, 2017, 10:46:07 AM
You see the elk and deer and some sheep at the feeding stations. Where do the mountain goats go when the snow hits? I am sure they are. tougher so they just move down into the valleys? The ones up Chelan do they go down to the lake and hang out for the winter? Just looking to get educated.
Thank You
Some of them move to windswept ridges rather than go down to lower elevation, and depend on wind to clear enough snow to feed. They will bed in tiny wind protected pockets not much larger than their body, as in the lee of a boulder or a stair step ledge. Some such calm pockets have wind blasting past an arm's reach away. Tough is an understatement.
Post by: elkboy on January 29, 2017, 11:25:17 AM
And like Okanogan says, windy ridges that remain snow-free are pretty important to goats. These can be at pretty high elevation! Sedges, grasses, low shrubs, and tree lichens ("witch's hair") are all important.
That said, keeping low elevation winter habitat more open (ie, not in dense forest) can benefit goats. This is especially important in the dry interior forests that have missed several fire cycles and become more dense. Goats tend to avoid dense forests.
Post by: mountainman on January 29, 2017, 01:18:17 PM
Post by: jstone on January 29, 2017, 04:14:44 PM
Thanks Again
Post by: JLS on January 29, 2017, 04:32:32 PM