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Author Topic: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits  (Read 17968 times)

Offline jackelope

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #105 on: April 25, 2018, 11:40:47 AM »
The third goat is actually a nanny. I’m the one who took that photo. I watched that goat for a couple of hours that day and saw her urinate to confirm she was a nanny.

I was going with nanny too. I can't remember where I found that picture. I have a few more of your photos that I saved on my phone for reference.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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Offline Bushcraft

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #106 on: April 25, 2018, 01:12:00 PM »
Great post Josh.  You definitely did justice to the OIL tag you drew. Bravo!

I have to admit that my jaw clenched a little when I read that an individual who successfully drew one of these highly coveted tags (for some of us anyway) and didn't hunt because “he didn’t realize it was so difficult”.  Say what?!?! That got under my skin because it effectively robbed someone else of the opportunity. What a jerk!  That joker should not have put in for it in the first place.  For starters, yes, it takes a little effort to hike into some of our mountain goat areas, but it isn’t particularly difficult if you are in decent shape, have decent gear, have some backcountry experience, and perhaps most importantly…time.  In my opinion, one should know what they are getting into and be absolutely willing to “embrace the suck”  before applying for the tag.  If not, don’t put in for the draw.  I suppose it’s probably better that he didn’t hunt because he would have likely just settled for a nanny like too many people do.

Which leads me to another thing that can get me a little hot under the collar: I personally think it is inexcusable to shoot a nanny in this state.  Other than the Olympic Peninsula population, the remaining pockets of goat populations are fragile and whacking a nanny is a selfish, lazy act that adversely impacts those populations.  It is NOT difficult to determine sex if you take your time.  It is actually pretty easy.  Spending time looking at pictures, or better yet…get out with someone that knows during scouting/conditioning trips.  There are so many resources available now that help people understand what to look for. And there are a TON of experienced people that would be happy to tag along on a hunt and help a guy out.

Take the pictures that you posted for example, if someone knows what to look for, it is pretty easy to get a good idea of which sex they are with a casual glance. Picture #1: Billy…The bases are significantly larger than the eyes. Picture #2: Nanny…small bases relative to the eyes with significant space between the bases.  They are relatively straight and tweak back a bit at the tops too.  BTW, I’ve got some pics of goats taken next to those same trees. Picture 3: This is could go either way since it isn’t clear just how big the bases are, but watching it for a while would clear it up.  Picture 4: Billy. No question.

Anyone that draws a goat tag should seriously consider joining an SCI/RMGA sponsored goat count.  Sitting with someone that knows what to look for can pretty dramatically improve the learning curve.  There will be a significant need for volunteers this summer. Stay tuned!

Best,

Allen   
Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy; its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill

Work hard. Hunt hard. Lift other hunters up.

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Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #107 on: April 26, 2018, 08:21:34 AM »
I have to admit that my jaw clenched a little when I read that an individual who successfully drew one of these highly coveted tags (for some of us anyway) and didn't hunt because “he didn’t realize it was so difficult”. 

Several years ago I helped a Lake Chelan N goat permit holder contact a local goat enthusiast who was willing to help out a stranger.  He made plans to go on an August scouting trip with him, they met in Chelan and the enthusiast pointed out where they would be going.  The permittee said "Huh", got back in his car and drove away, never to be heard from again. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline jackelope

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #108 on: April 26, 2018, 08:54:01 AM »
Full disclosure on the person who didn't hunt that I was referring to was that he was a tribal member with a permit he drew. Not a permit he drew from WDFW. I felt like I should clarify that.  Shouldn't really make a difference, I just realized it might be confusing because WDFW harvest stats said permit holders went 5 for 5 in the Goat Rocks.

:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline WAcoueshunter

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #109 on: April 26, 2018, 10:54:57 AM »
Speaking of goat hunts...reading Jackelope's story in Epic right now!

Offline jackelope

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #110 on: April 26, 2018, 11:04:51 AM »
Speaking of goat hunts...reading Jackelope's story in Epic right now!


:yike:

 :tup:  :tup: :tup: :tup:
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline 520backyard

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #111 on: May 05, 2018, 10:21:55 PM »
Drew a goat tag in 97 first time putting in for a goat tag took this billy in early October 9 7/8  5 3/8. That time of year older billies have a slight yellow tinge to them makes identification pretty easy. Saw a lot of goats and when I saw this one's size I had no doubt he was a billy and then saw the yellow tinge. Ended up roped off on some pretty steep stuff and had to rope off the billy as well in order to work on him. Couple things about goat hunting I know. If it's socked in you can't spot them remember you are up in the clouds when there is clouds, so hunt hard during blue bird weather. And you will see goats go to where you saw the goats and the goats will be gone. Bring rope.

So 97 was the last year before a goat tag became a OIL tag, so I can still put in and I do every year.
Swim hell, the fall will kill ya.

Offline sagerat

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #112 on: May 06, 2018, 08:14:54 AM »
My old man did the same thing. He was in on several goat hunts in Snohomish and Skagit counties back in the day. Now he’s got a goat on the wall and still sitting on max points hoping to draw again...

Offline Bob33

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #113 on: May 06, 2018, 08:24:10 AM »
1969:
Nature. It's cheaper than therapy.

Offline CaNINE

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #114 on: May 06, 2018, 08:45:47 AM »
For me, a goat hunt is the top bucket list experience of North American big game .  I’ve lived vicariously through other tag holders and helped scout and lead them, sometimes dragging, up the mountain.  I’m sitting on max points but with single digit draw odds I’m planning a BC or AK hunt in the next 3 years. If anyone has recommended outfitters please share them. 
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

Proverbs 12:27

Offline Timberstalker

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #115 on: May 06, 2018, 09:40:00 AM »
900 goat Permits in 1969. 900!!

We have 27 now.


If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline 520backyard

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #116 on: May 06, 2018, 10:02:19 AM »
900 goat Permits in 1969. 900!!

We have 27 now.

Now think of the number of mountain goats killed by the National Park Service in the Olympic nation park. It is well over a thousand, the exact number is hard to pinpoint might be double that, they like to hide that information. Now think of a 6 to 8% reproductive increase that the number of goats killed by the NPS in the Olympic national park would have had on the overall mountain goat population in Washington State had they been relocated. Mad yet?
Swim hell, the fall will kill ya.

Offline jackelope

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #117 on: May 07, 2018, 01:19:18 PM »
For me, a goat hunt is the top bucket list experience of North American big game .  I’ve lived vicariously through other tag holders and helped scout and lead them, sometimes dragging, up the mountain.  I’m sitting on max points but with single digit draw odds I’m planning a BC or AK hunt in the next 3 years. If anyone has recommended outfitters please share them. 

@archery288  Can you share an outfitter recommendation?
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline archery288

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #118 on: May 07, 2018, 01:30:01 PM »
For me, a goat hunt is the top bucket list experience of North American big game .  I’ve lived vicariously through other tag holders and helped scout and lead them, sometimes dragging, up the mountain.  I’m sitting on max points but with single digit draw odds I’m planning a BC or AK hunt in the next 3 years. If anyone has recommended outfitters please share them. 

@archery288  Can you share an outfitter recommendation?

Sure thing!  :tup:  I would HIGHLY recommend North River Outfitting in BC.  https://northriveroutfitting.com

I got a chance to hunt with them last year.  It was truly a top notch operation and two of the nicest people that you'll ever meet, own and operate it.  They hunt the Cassiar mountains which are inland up by the Yukon border.  While goats out on the coast in BC might be bigger, and when I say bigger I'm talking about the chance to kill an 11" goat.  Something truly world class, but they are few and far between.  In the Cassiars North River averages 9.5" on their goats.  I killed a 10" goat with them, which is very do-able if you hunt hard.  Seeing goats in not an issue at all.  They do their homework and know where they are and there's no shortage.  Plus, you'll get to fly in over 100 miles from the nearest road so you are truly by yourself. 

Here is a picture of the goat I took with them. 

Online Rainier10

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Re: A few thoughts on mountain goat permits
« Reply #119 on: May 07, 2018, 03:23:15 PM »
Sweet goat and photo.
Congrats.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

 


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