My First Mountain Goat

[khoffnbud]

Here we go, my hardest hunt to date. It took 3 seperate trips and several pre-season scouting trips this year (have had this LEH draw 4 other times over the last 10 years but never able to make it happen) and it came together on the last day of the last trip I was gonna do. Its really amazing how an area can grow up over a decade, which certainly did not make any easier, this area has somewhat of a centimental value to me hunting for goats over the last ten years here. I know theres much easier spots to get goats but I was determined to get one here and I made it happen with a 647 yd shot with my 300 Win Mag. Hes aged at 5 years old, 8 3/4 horns.

4609

[khoffnbud]

Sorry, don't know how to get bigger pics on here.

[Brez]

Way to go. Looks pretty good from what I can see. real nice coat on it,

[Rackmastr]

Congrats!!! They are awesome critters and sure require some work!

Sounds like a hard earned trophy!

[ru rancher]

thats awesome and agreed the mountains sure grow on a guy

[khoffnbud]

Was definatly a hard earned trophy

[Above the Treeline]

Great job! Nice looking goat!

[adriaticum]

Nice hillbilly, I mean, mountain billy.

[khoffnbud]

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1341_zps7f5fa37f.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1341_zps7f5fa37f.jpg.html)

[khoffnbud]

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1340_zpsf91848ff.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1340_zpsf91848ff.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1342_zps57468483.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1342_zps57468483.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1348_zps3c2f6b84.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1348_zps3c2f6b84.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1354_zpsf78a27b9.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1354_zpsf78a27b9.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1355_zps5bb51d56.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1355_zps5bb51d56.jpg.html)


HA! Got it.

[khoffnbud]

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1358_zps3c963291.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1358_zps3c963291.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4235_zps3d8b3521.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4235_zps3d8b3521.jpg.html)

[Davy Crockett]

Nice goat and at 647 yards nice shot! That's stretching it out.

[khoffnbud]

Thanks, it was definately a stretch but I had plenty of range time in prep for this hunt.

[pnbrock]

im no expert on goats but he doesnt seem to have glands on back of horns is this a age thing?

[HarryToolips]

Wicked goat congrats man I did my first goat hunt this year, theyre hard but a blast...

[toad]

congrats dude....just got my first last weekend

[GreatWhitePopogeebo]

That is crazy awsome. Congrats.

[ydouask]

Congratulations on your goat. Glands swell with age/rutting activity.

[ru rancher]

amazing coat on that goat what day did you shoot him?

[khoffnbud]

Got him on oct 22

[bighornbob]

Got him on oct 22

That's an awesome hide on that goat. Is that a northern goat or southern? What MU if you don't mind me asking?

Bhb

[khoffnbud]

All I'll say is its one of northern region 3 draws. Difficult to hunt, there's absolutely no getting above a goat there.

[ru rancher]

so you said it took ten years is that because of low goat spottings or just way to difficult to get in a good shooting position?

[coach]

Nice looking goat. Congrats on a hard earned trophy. Sounds like a hell of a shot. How did your Ox pack perform?

[Buck]

Congrats on a great trophy.Difficult hunt but worth it.

[khoffnbud]

so you said it took ten years is that because of low goat spottings or just way to difficult to get in a good shooting position?

you name it it happened, difficult terrain, lowish numbers ( biologists claim there's only 30 or so goats in that whole area). I think my problem with the draws I got 8-10 years ago I didn't know how to tackle mountain goats, I hardly ever did any range time before a few years ago, my closest encounter was the last time I got a draw for here (2008) I did a wonderful stalk on a billy to 400 yds only to have my browning bar totally self destruct. One year every time I was up there we had horrible weather and crazy low fog that would just not go away. After a while I started to feel like I was after a unicorn instead of a goat. Got a new gun in 09 and practice practice practice, if I'd done this before I might have had a better chance, I do a 7 inch group at 500 now with my xbolt

[khoffnbud]

*last draw there was 2008

[khoffnbud]

Love my ox pack, don't know how it would do on 7 or 10 day backpack hunt, but it's worked really good for me and I love ut

[ru rancher]

okay cool ya i know goat hunting is real difficult and really want to get into it though so just reading and learning what i can

[khoffnbud]

When I get a chance I'll load up a bunch of my pre-success pics

[Big Lew]

Congrats! Admire your perseverance! Looks fantastically well placed for such a long shot, good for you.

[Jim Prawn]

Nice billy, looks like a perfect shot for 647 yards, impressive! What scope do you use?
Congrats.
JP

[khoffnbud]

Thanks, leupold vx3 3.5-10, heavy duplex reticle. No BDC reticle or turret

[Duck Buster]

Awsome job good on you. I did my first goat hunt this year, no animal taken, but I am hooked for life...... There is no hunting like it.

[khoffnbud]

As promised here are some pics from this season

These ones are from june doing some scouting

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1288_zps71753ff5.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1288_zps71753ff5.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1289_zpsd1de2e72.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1289_zpsd1de2e72.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1285_zps781fe5bf.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1285_zps781fe5bf.jpg.html)

Me and the old man

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1286_zps16cd98fa.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1286_zps16cd98fa.jpg.html)

you wouldnt beleive it that there USED to be a road there with no alders on it 5 years ago

[khoffnbud]

Opening weekend, sept 1

was denied access to this drainage and the bikes took a beating going in there, only open spot we found on the road

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4164_zps6a256e7a.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4164_zps6a256e7a.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4165_zps773bc4c1.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4165_zps773bc4c1.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4166_zps797120ab.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4166_zps797120ab.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4167_zpsf382c2f4.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4167_zpsf382c2f4.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4181_zps75946272.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4181_zps75946272.jpg.html)

[khoffnbud]

Many hours spent spotting here but never saw anything

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4189_zps8a807b7f.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4189_zps8a807b7f.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_4190_zps84c8f2fc.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_4190_zps84c8f2fc.jpg.html)

[khoffnbud]

I'll get some more up tonight guys

[hawk-i]

congrats and good shooting!

[killer_shot]

good job mate !

makes me happy to hear such a story of tenacity. I know how those goat hunts go and its not easy big up congrats to you on a fine harvest you should be really proud of your self for never giving up and a great shot too !!!

[ryry4]

Great looking goat, congrats!

[BiG Boar]

Pretty awesome getting a goat. Its my favorite hunt now. Always a real trophy if you get one. There is no such thing as an easy goat.

[ElectricDyck]

Good job getting it done! Great beard on that fellow, beauty hide!

[khoffnbud]

Heres one of buddies, can't remember when this was exactly but it's mid-sept and up for a day trip. My previous trip on opening day we didn't see a single goat for 6 days but i'm blaming that on the heat a it was 25-30 everyday.

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1300_zps6460fbfd.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1300_zps6460fbfd.jpg.html)

saw one giant billy this day, cant see him in the pic but he's just above the big chunk of snow thats mid mountain

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1301_zpsfc6b9b8d.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1301_zpsfc6b9b8d.jpg.html)

[khoffnbud]

ok now this was my solo trip i did near the end of sept, heres camp

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1307_zpsd7745b12.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1307_zpsd7745b12.jpg.html)

Can you tell I had some weather? it rained everyday, nearly all day

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1319_zps516cac46.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1319_zps516cac46.jpg.html)

heres one of breaks in the rain we had for a few hours and spotted this billy, needless to say he'll grow really old where he is

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1660_zps0816d341.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1660_zps0816d341.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1322_zps2296f5ac.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1322_zps2296f5ac.jpg.html)

He's on the right

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1325_zps1c9c13f6.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1325_zps1c9c13f6.jpg.html)

[khoffnbud]

here he is again

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1326_zpsb5fb05ff.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1326_zpsb5fb05ff.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1334_zps8910be4e.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1334_zps8910be4e.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1685_zps58592e2d.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1685_zps58592e2d.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/IMG_1686_zpse8970c28.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/IMG_1686_zpse8970c28.jpg.html)

and finally, its the best pic i have of where i would eventually shoot my goat on my last trip. red circle is where he was and shot was taken from valley bottom

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/deadgoatspot_zps3187f047.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/deadgoatspot_zps3187f047.jpg.html)

the rest you've seen, thanks for reading guys

[khoffnbud]

Next year I'll be doing my first stone sheep hunt

[kennyj]

Way to persevere! Nice goat!
kenny

[North Star]

Awesome and congrats. Great pics too.

[porcupine]

Congratualtions on a getting your goat. It's a great trophy, especially considering all the time and effort put into getting your goat. They are a great animal to hunt and I hope yours also tastes pretty good.

[Mik]

Wow! thats a hard earned goat. Sounds like you're hooked (on hiking and backpacking) and already planning a sheep hunt. i hope ya get one sooner than 10 years ;) congrats on both the goat and the long range shot.

[Springer]

Thats going to make an incredible Mount !! Great camo on the Quads as well!! haha

[khoffnbud]

Thanks guys. Due back from the taxidermist in march. I think he's great as he is... for me hes my number one trophy (and probably always will be) and its not because of the horns, the trophy is the hunt, the challenge. While I appreciate guided hunts, I feel that the DIY hunts give a guy a better sense of accomplishment. Also, my badlands packs (hybrid and ox) both performed great. The sitka gear also performed great, core base and traverse base, 90% pants/jacket and stormfront pants/jacket, only exception was the sitka mountain gtx gloves as they did not perform as advertised. Oh, and if anyone wants to give a newb sheep hunter any tips, I'm all ears.

[Neff]

Great goat! I bagged my very first thiscyear too, but he is stil in my freezer. I dont know which taxi Im going to use. If yours is supposed to be done in March that is a great turn around time.

[nature girl]

Now that was a real earned goat. Great story and pictures.

[d6dan]

Well earned goat!. Great pics and story. Congrats to you.

[khoffnbud]

Well, just got him back from the taxidermist, I must say, he looks great

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/14E7821F-28E8-4F16-89D0-5795CBFAF869_zpsvc7jztjj.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/14E7821F-28E8-4F16-89D0-5795CBFAF869_zpsvc7jztjj.jpg.html)

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/khoffnbud/09EC9D46-7D2C-4197-8CC6-0E4A513156E5_zps27zkkogu.jpg (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/khoffnbud/media/09EC9D46-7D2C-4197-8CC6-0E4A513156E5_zps27zkkogu.jpg.html)

[d6dan]

Looks Great to me also!. :-D

[kayjayess]

He looks really great although with the low light it is hard to see him. I love your game room. Awesome.

If you don't mind me asking what grain bullet and type of round did you use for that hunt? Just curious as I am shooting an xbolt in 300 win mag also.

Congrats on a pretty trophy.

[khoffnbud]

Best I could do with my iphone for pics, hornady Superformance 165 gmx

[Husky7mm]

Nice well earned goat. I was admiring the mount and then I saw the tank mulie , whoa!! NICE!

[hunter1947]

Nice shooting from that distance you earned every inch of this goat pictures are a nice look as for your read thanks for sharing your story with us members,,congrats to you ..

[Deeboe]

Nice Goat! I remember shooting my first one. Will never forget that experience. Goat hunters are a crazy breed. Theres a reason why you don't see any other animals on a Goats habitat...

[warnniklz]

Friggin cool man!!! Looks like you got quite the hude away there.

[Fred1]

Great hunt! Great shot! See no scope turrets!! Well done! Turrets schmerits...

[BearSupreme]

Awesome goat mount and other taxi work. Thanks for all the pictures, Cheers!

[180grainer]

It looks like early in the year with green leaves on the brush around you. It has an awesome beard if it's an early goat. Looks like a good goat in any event and should make a good mount.

[khoffnbud]

It's a late ish goat, got him on oct 22

[SR80]

very nice man! congrats!