Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: huntindoc on October 26, 2009, 10:11:00 PM

Title: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: huntindoc on October 26, 2009, 10:11:00 PM: Evening-

I will be chasing goats in the Goat Rocks. Late hunt, but other hunts and work schedule mandate this is the first time I get to go. Besides being tough to see, any suggestions for finding a billy in the snow? I am planning to hunt up around goat lake.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Axle on October 27, 2009, 07:44:37 AM: I'm no pro on goats, but I was told years ago by two people 'in the know' that goats stay up high in winter.

In my humble opinion, that may depend on the area they live in though. The reason they would be able to stay up high (and I have seen this in goats and big horn sheep) is because the wind sweeps away the snow and it isn't deep where they normally live out winter. Here in the PNW, snow piles up pretty deep and the wind doesn't keep the tops of the mountains free of snow due to how wet and sticky it is. This could force them down.

I say look for them up high where they would normally be and figure that there may be a transition stage for them if they do decide to come down. Probably still very high. Another thing about goats is - they go up and down mountains as per the weather. What I'm saying is - they will go down in bad weather and up in good weather. They are like weather predictors. Problem is - down for them is still high for us.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on October 27, 2009, 07:52:31 AM: check the timber.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Hornseeker on October 27, 2009, 08:10:44 AM: Up high on ridges, in the timber adjacent to south facing cliffs... if there's not too much snow, they can be anywhere... but they will winter at the TOP..the south facing rocks melt off in the worst of weather..that and the wind...

Good Luck... a late goat hunt is very tough....3 years ago I ate a goat tag because I waited too long... everything was white, hiking was exhausting, post holing in wind blown crust... the wind was hideous...the cold sucked....

Let us know how you do! GOOD LUCK!!!! This is a once in a lifetime tag! Go HUNT IT!!!
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: NWBREW on October 27, 2009, 08:18:19 AM: They hibernate. :chuckle: :chuckle: Oh wait....that's me. Good Luck on you oil. Hope you score big.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: joebear on October 27, 2009, 10:41:53 AM: We haven't received that much snow yet so they should still be in there general area. if it really starts to snow goats are not stupid they will hold up just at snow line or in high patch's of timber. Glass south facing slope when the sun is high.
I would hope your not haveing to go it alone it can get pretty hairy.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Special T on October 27, 2009, 10:54:46 AM: Piss On a Flat rock! they can smell the salt for miles... Used to do a lot of mt climbing... they will search it out let me tell you! Salty piss will work every time. :puke:
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: bowhunterforever on October 27, 2009, 03:33:04 PM: Quote from: Special T on October 27, 2009, 10:54:46 AM
Piss On a Flat rock! they can smell the salt for miles... Used to do a lot of mt climbing... they will search it out let me tell you! Salty piss will work every time. :puke:
Someone told me that samething. :dunno:
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: AKBowman on October 27, 2009, 04:17:01 PM: If you can stand the weather and the weather allows you to get to the goats the late season can be a good time of year. The lack of available feed will tend to congregate the goats to areas where there is food readily available. If you find one look harder b/c there are likely to be more within the facinity.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on October 27, 2009, 08:39:28 PM: I'll second the salty piss, and granola bars. My dad has pictures of mt goats eating granola bars, and his pack and rifle sitting right behind them. Closed area of course, but cool picture. I'll need to find it and scan it.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: shanevg on October 27, 2009, 10:17:11 PM: I'm not saying anything until you post a report from your BC goat/moose hunt. ;)
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: klickriverchromer on October 28, 2009, 07:15:50 AM: Holding out on us huh? I'll give you some info later this evening on the goats locations.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Halo on October 28, 2009, 12:23:32 PM: I shot my goat in I believe 2000 just above Goat Lake on the ridge. I put on well over 100 miles on the boot leather scouting so I know the area fairly well. I think you are starting off at the right place. That weather could be scary though. Plan on very cold and very high winds. I had my tent collapse and pop itself back up in the wind severl times one night. The wind would just flaten it. I also got cought in an ice storm and had had to chip the layer of Ice off my tent, and that was all in September. If the coyotes are as thick as they were dont leave your kill and plan on having it there the next day, It will be gone within hours. The coyotes were harrassing the goats all the time but couldnt climb as good. At least you wont have the bugs. Good luck. If you have any questions let me know, and remember, it's easier to climb up than down so be carefull.
Title: Re: Where do the goats go in the snow?
Post by: Houndhunter on October 28, 2009, 12:32:17 PM: uncle just drilled a nice one outa there, so many goats up there i wish they'd give out more tags.... but i guess thats the story every where :chuckle:

good luck on your tag, cant really give ya any pointers as i dont hunt round goat lake. but if you decide to try other spots feel free to shoot me a pm