difference between goat and sheep

[chinook7]

Hi all.
I am new to this forum and new to hunting. Like new as in I have NEVER even fired a firearm ever... yes that much of a newbie. However I am an accomplished mountaineer and fisherman. Ocean fished all up and down our coast and steelhead fished all the main rivers in the province and climbed many of our highest peaks in our province. Anyway Im gonna practice my marksmanship all summer then this fall I am going hike some mountains and look for goat and sheep for fun while Im at it.
I know I shouldn't be asking for info on my first post but I think this an ok question without stepping on toes. Could anyone gives some differences and similarities to sheep and goat. In terms of habitat, time of rut, etc. any info would be appreciated. Like what features on a mountain if any would lead someone to believe that it looks more goaty or more sheepy. ... or you can just say hi to me instead:)
Great forum. Ive learned a lot from you all in this short time.

[Caribou_lou]

Neither of those hunts are easy! But both very rewarding whether you are successful or not. If I were you I'd start with the range. Welcome to the site.

[Good Old Outdoors]

If you're completely new to hunting especially sheep or goat, make sure you are current on the Limited entry areas and the zones within the MU. You pretty much need a law degree to read and understand the regulations and limited entry synopsis but once you do..... good hunting to you

[blackbart]

Have fun. Perhaps focus on Goats first.

[chinook7]

thanks guys. no I totally understand all the leh stuff. just looking to go peak bagging and scouting this summer and I jump from one location to another everyday based on google earth, leh stats and research. But I was interested about the difference between sheep and goat habitat. Because from what I have read it is more or less the same. But (just like in fishing) I'm sure there are subtle nuances that make one area more likely to hold goat over sheep and vice versa. But no biggie it'll be fun to look nonetheless. And yes I will be spending much of the spring and summer at the range.... just in case.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Welcome to the Site ! Both animals are tuff Hunts but it sounds like you are a FIT person Good Luck ! you have a ways to go before shooting one - cheers :wink: RJ

[Bugle M In]

:shock:..........................................

[boxhitch]

LOL aside from their obvious physical differences , the habitat they use can also be different .......or the same.
There is lots of overlap in the easy feeding areas but when it comes to escape terrain the goat will really turn it up a notch in steep and rugged .
They can both be found out browsing on the hills and benches , but goats can handle the cliffs better than sheep.
So for basic simple terms think rocks for sheep and cliffs for goats.

Mountaineer ? you have probably seen goats up close already ?

[Steeleco]

There are lots of goats up the sunshine coast and in various hills just east of the LML. Some good area's to go and study the creatures. We can't hunt them in these parts so the finding and watching might be easier than animals that have been hunted?

Welcome and good luck.

[rcar]

My thoughts on both is that Goats are harder to get to in many cases but Sheep are significantly more difficult to hunt. When you finaly get up to the Goat, there are no official restrictions....other than the hunter code of not taking a nanny. When you finally get to the sheep there are significant restrictions. You may see 20 rams and after days of hiking and stalking, you may never find a legal one. This hunt takes much more patients and personal will.

Keeping your mood and outlook positive is maybe the single hardest thing on any hunt and it will be tested to the max on a sheep hunt.

Welcome to the forum and don't hesitate to ask questions here. Also do a search of the forum before you ask as most everything hunting related has been bantered about many tmes and you will probably find your answers already here.

Happy Hunting!

[argyle1]

if you start hunting sheep this year, from what I hear, your ram will be born this spring. That's what my experience tells me too lol

[Cordillera]

One of the big differences is goats can tolerate deep winter snows and sheep can't. That is why goats are found in the coast range and not sheep. I agree the statement that during summer or fall, within overlapping ranges, goats will tend to cliffier ground even into some really gnarly stuff (get the movie about goats of the stikine rover canyon). Sheep are faster runners so can be found on high plateaus a little furthere away from classic escape terrain.

[Paulyman]

I'm a peak bagger as well, I'm intersted in goat hunting as well. Pm me if you'd like to chat about possibly getting out.

[chinook7]

Thanks so much for the info. Yeah my plan was/is to go to a mountain range that has goat and sheep overlap re: open/leh. That way I can observe and learn both species (potentially) in the hopes of gathering information when I become a component hunter/shooter. Thanks paulyman I'll send u a pm.

[E.V.B.H.]

Goats are easier to find, they have a broader range of habitat. They are most commonly found in the cliff bands or just under them in the alpine medows. They can on occasion be found down in the tree line as well. Especially if there is a mineral lick they will drop down to it. They are not that hard to hunt if your in good enough shape to get to them. What's dificult is telling a big billy from a small one and a billy from a nanny. It takes some time and lots of looking for the subtle differences to become obvious. An experienced partner is very useful to teach you what to look for.

Sheep are generally harder to find and require a much more specific habitat. Grassy high alpine medows and ridges. Generally more mellow terrain than goats. They will push up into the little chutes and draws between the cliffs but not right on the cliffs like goats. They are much more camouflaged then goats as well, look for the white ass. As stated confirming a legal ram can be very dificult as you have to get into the right position to get a square look at the horns

for general spotting binos will do for goats but a spotter is a must for sheep, although a spotter Is best for both when hunting.

[chinook7]

thanks for the info. I have seen some goats when hiking but I didn't pay that much attention to their location or their behaviours. The summit was all I cared about it. Definately will take some notes now. I also saw this sheep while fishing but Im sure he is mounted on one of your walls by now. At the time I thought "cool" but now the pic has got me all horny to get a sheep one day too. But based on your comments goat will be the first species Ill pursue.

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah44/steelhead77/DSCN0625_zpsfqpssavm.jpg

[.330 Dakota]

My thoughts on both is that Goats are harder to get to in many cases but Sheep are significantly more difficult to hunt. When you finaly get up to the Goat, there are no official restrictions....other than the hunter code of not taking a nanny. When you finally get to the sheep there are significant restrictions. You may see 20 rams and after days of hiking and stalking, you may never find a legal one. This hunt takes much more patients and personal will.

Keeping your mood and outlook positive is maybe the single hardest thing on any hunt and it will be tested to the max on a sheep hunt.

Welcome to the forum and don't hesitate to ask questions here. Also do a search of the forum before you ask as most everything hunting related has been bantered about many tmes and you will probably find your answers already here.

Happy Hunting!

Agreed Ray,,,and as a Guy that has hunted goats, I can tell you that sheep see you a mile away and split, goats see you and stay put for the most part,,,,theyre thinking,,,ha you cant get up here

[Ltbullken]

If you've trekked in the various ranges across BC, my guess is you already know some areas where sheep and goats live. I'd say they pretty much occupy the same terrain but that goats will tend to higher crags and cliffs while sheep will tend to be in more grassy alpine, but this is not absolute. I've spotted goats in some really ugly cliff bands and sometimes sheep too. You can call regional biologists if you want more detailed info about population densities in certain MU's. Sometimes they're helpful.

Sounds like you already have all the appropriate mountain gear to survive on the alpine but you can find mountain hunt checklists on this site too. Yes, time on the range is seldom wasted. Long range shots on sheep/goat are to be expected. You might also want to consider caping and meat handling. Are you experienced/comfortable with your skill set in this? It would be a real travesty to lose a good animal because you were not familiar with looking after meat and hide. If you're not confident in this, team up with an experienced mountain hunter who can show you the ropes. Or get some exposure or tutorial. Spring black bear is a good way to get some experience! (Bear sausages are awesome!) Expect that it might be a few years before all your intel, scouting and efforts align like the stars and you tag out on your first sheep or goat. There is a saying that the year you start sheep hunting, is the year your first legal ram is born... good luck.