The Cave and the Heartbreak: a 10 yr old boys first goat hunt

[Jimbob]

Even though there are so many negative issues going on in this province it still offers some amazing outdoor opportunities that no other place in the country can compare with. I moved here from Ontario last July and it has been one adventure after the other. I am so grateful to live in this province. So, I'll share a hunting story from this August that hit both ends of the emotional spectrum.

After a great bear hunt in the spring (find the story here: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?145032-First-BC-hunt-Bear-down) Josh drew a goat tag for an area nearby. Here is the story that ensues from our quest to fill that tag.

The Cave and the Heartbreak: a 10 yr old boys first goat hunt

Looking into a black hole in the side of a mountain brings about many emotions. Maybe it's the stories of monsters and trolls you were told as a kid or the thought of a grizzly or lion den or maybe it's just the unknown in the darkness that causes a shiver to run up your spine. Whatever it may be one thing is for sure our curiosity drives us to them and our fear halts us in our tracks. When I looked up into that cave on a recent goat hunt it captured my attention for more than a minute. It was only 40 yds away but up a 60 degree slope. Man I wanted to look inside it but it freaked me out. Besides I was looking for something else, I was in search of a mountain goat. But lets rewind to the day before when this goat hunt began.

Tuesday August 14 was another beautiful northwestern BC day. The morning air was crisp and cool and the sun was beginning to fill the valley floors as my son, Josh, and I were headed out on our first mountain goat hunt. Josh is only 10 years old but upon moving to BC a year early he jumped at the chance to take his hunter ed course and get the qualifications to begin his hunting career. Josh was lucky enough to draw a goat tag for an area nearby so we were pumped to begin hunting out west. In the spring Josh put to use years of his range practice and killed a beautiful bruin. Then on opening day of sheep season I harvested a gorgeous stone sheep on a solo hunt. We were ready for this goat hunt.

There was no prior scouting done (we had bought a house in the spring that needed renovations) so we hit a FSR in the draw area and headed to a spot chosen from a map. We pulled the Jeep over and glassed our intended target and BAM goats. Truth is, every hike I have been on around here I have spotted goats. I was expecting to see them. My concern was figuring out how to get through the thick dense forest and find a camping spot with water. We studied the map looked at the terrain and made up our minds on an intended route.

Off we go.

[Jimbob]

Down a steep bank, over blow down and across the creek and we find a grizzly trail, old scat and some scent marking trees but nothing fresh. It is going our general direction so we follow it for 1 km. Time to turn off and bushwack again. We cut to the creek and follow up and up to the drainage we want to hunt. The blowdown and fallen trees from a roaring creek in the spring are death for Josh. His little legs just don't get up and over like mine do.

http://i.imgur.com/d86H7Mgh.jpg (https://imgur.com/d86H7Mg)

[Jimbob]

8 km and 7 hours of grinding and this boy is done. I'm so proud of him, it was not easy for a grown man to get back here. He never complained the whole way.

http://i.imgur.com/V7s6NHOh.jpg (https://imgur.com/V7s6NHO)

[Jimbob]

One last climb to get to the only flat spot we can find and it's not even flat.
http://i.imgur.com/75pnbh1h.jpg (https://imgur.com/75pnbh1)

[Jimbob]

"Dad, super please."


http://i.imgur.com/pYdWmJbh.jpg (https://imgur.com/pYdWmJb)

[Jimbob]

"Ok, that is why we came here. Hey! those are goats up there" a nanny and kid were sharing this basin with us.

http://i.imgur.com/ZtmFA9gh.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZtmFA9g)

[Jimbob]

Spaghetti, a warm coat, and hat, and a comfy place to sit are all that's needed to bring total euphoria after a long day. Josh is learning how important the simple things in life really are, out here you gain a new perspective.

Josh climbed into his bag while I glassed until dark. At 10 pm a billy appeared on a cliff 800 yds away. He went in and out of sight a few times then left our drainage.
http://i.imgur.com/oqqjVR0h.jpg (https://imgur.com/oqqjVR0)

[Jimbob]

Unfortunately, I had no phone with me, an Iphone cannot be submerged in a river when salmon fishing (just so you know), and I forgot my watch so no alarm. I slept in till 5:45 am but Josh was tired anyway, regardless of a lack of an alarm there wouldn't have been a 4 am wake up this morning. None the less, I unzip the tipi and poke my head out and there are the nanny and kid in the same spot (in the cliffs safe from everything but a fall). As I scan the drainage BOOM goat much lower and close. Grab the binos and man that looks like a billy, range him at 350 yds. Set-up the spotter and yup he's a billy and he looks great.

http://i.imgur.com/61rO2zFh.jpg (https://imgur.com/61rO2zF)

[Jimbob]

Josh is too tired to get excited at the news of a billy close by. He says "cool" smiles and watches it from his bag then dozes off again. My eyes are glued to this billy as I try to put together a plan to kill him. He's in a spot we can climb too but he will see our approach. No way to get around or do anything but watch. BUT he is close and I am scared too much movement will spook him. I make oatmeal hot chocolate and coffee and climb back in the bag to enjoy with Josh while we watch the billy. He finishes feeding and beds down, it's 8:45 am and there is no chance at a stalk.




The billy can be seen as the tiny white speck bedded on the grassy slope in the middle of this pic.
http://i.imgur.com/aK0dpzVh.jpg (https://imgur.com/aK0dpzV)

[Jimbob]

We are geared up and ready for a stalk but we have to wait for the billy to move. Finally, at 9:50 he gets up and feeds to a new area then beds at 10:10 am. DECISION time. Option 1: We can do a loop below the billy and approach up the slope on the right-hand side. We can keep eyes on the billy and we will have a shot at him when in position. BUT the wind is going up with the thermals and if we can see him he can see us. Option 2: head straight to the spot he was bedded before. We can set up on a knob close to where he is now bedded. BUT we will lose sight of him and we will not be able to see him when we get up there, we will have to hope he feeds back to us or out to a spot we can see. I discuss with Josh and we weigh the options. I am afraid of the wind and him seeing us so we choose option 2.




In the picture below the billy is bedded at the WHITE spot. We are going to make our way to the YELLOW spot and set-up and wait him out. We will be able to see him when he feeds down to the RED spot.
http://i.imgur.com/SXnr9h5h.jpg (https://imgur.com/SXnr9h5)

[tinhorse]

Great pics and read. Looking forward to the rest!

[Jimbob]

We start the descent off our ridge then start climbing through the avalanche chutes and up to our spot. At the steep stuff, we dump Josh's pack and put his food in my pack. A little climbing and we rise over the grassy knob and I can spot the rock I marked where the billy was bedded, 70 yds away. It's 11:20 and the sun is already beating down on us. 12:30 and nothing, Josh is starting to lose patience. What if the goat left? Are we sitting here for nothing? It was a great time to hone and develop the mental side of hunting. Patience is everything when pursuing animals. Our minds start to doubt though and we feel like we might be wasting our time on a goat that's not there. I told Josh this was our hunt for today though. We climbed up here and we would force ourselves to wait it out. 1:30 and just more sun and HEAT. I wet a bandanna and put it under Josh's hat to keep him cool and protect his neck. We are prone waiting for the goat to make his move.

http://i.imgur.com/Flvc8ezh.jpg (https://imgur.com/Flvc8ez)

[Jimbob]

At least the views are nice.

http://i.imgur.com/0Xn8Smih.jpg (https://imgur.com/0Xn8Smi)

[Jimbob]

This is what we watched for 3 hours. We are waiting and hoping the goat appears at the green shrub in the lower right of the pic.

http://i.imgur.com/VlrG52wh.jpg (https://imgur.com/VlrG52w)

[Jimbob]

Suddenly, the goat is right there, right where we thought. My heart is beating through my chest. Josh is ready on the rifle. The goat is feeding facing right at us. I whisper to wait for a broadside shot. The billy raises his head and I feel like he is starring right at us. "Can he hear my heart beat, I feel like he can" He turns around facing straight away and I fear he is going to walk away. He relieves himself then turns to the right offering a perfect broadside shot. Josh's 7mm-08, a gift from Grampa before heading out west, goes off and the billy takes off and in two bounds jumps off a 20' cliff and out of sight into an avalanche chute. I jump to my feet and watch for any exits, nothing. Then a minute later we hear rocks tumbling and I am sure he is dead and rolling down that chute. Text Mom and Grampa the good news and hang out eating lunch before making our descent. I'm so proud. My smile in this pic is one of success and accomplishment but little did I know we hadn't completed anything yet.

http://i.imgur.com/76PeIcvh.jpg (https://imgur.com/76PeIcv)

[Jimbob]

Time to get down then head over to the bottom of the chute that the goat went in and look for him.

http://i.imgur.com/D8nel4uh.jpg (https://imgur.com/D8nel4u)

http://i.imgur.com/nBWRefVh.jpg (https://imgur.com/nBWRefV)

[Jimbob]

Headed up the chute looking for our "dead" goat.

http://i.imgur.com/3xygJfqh.jpg (https://imgur.com/3xygJfq)

[Jimbob]

We head up this nasty chute and NOTHING no goat. I am still sure he is dead. Josh is a great shot and he was only 70 yds away.

I head further up the chute, definitely higher up than where this goat should be. "I must be in the wrong chute". I try to climb up out of the chute to my left but no luck. I tell Josh to wait as I look for a way up. Further up the chute and around the corner I see "the cave". This is the cave I mentioned at the beginning of the thread. The cave was captivating but I need to find a way out of this chute. I try to climb the wall but only make a few feet. The rock is loose and creates a cascade with every movement. Back off the wall and rocks tumble down, I tell Josh to stay out of the way of the falling rocks, he is 15 yds below me. Then I hear more rocks coming down I look up to see some tumbling towards, that's weird I wasn't up there. My eyes follow the falling rocks up to the cave and there at the gaping mouth is the billy starring me down.

http://i.imgur.com/0TCB0r1h.jpg (https://imgur.com/0TCB0r1)

[Jimbob]

I yell to Josh that I found the goat and "get up here now". By the urgency, in my voice, he knew it was alive but asked "What? is it still alive?" As he was getting to me the goat went to make a move and I yelled and raised the gun, as if he knew what a gun was, it worked and he froze again. Just as Josh got by my side and I handed him the gun the billy moved and sent an avalanche of rocks streaming down at us. I grabbed Josh and pulled him close and turned my back using my pack as a shield. A baseball sized rock slammed into my calf and others pelted the rocks around us. Josh was trying to peek out from around me as he couldn't take his eyes off his goat. Once the rocks stopped Josh stepped out and put a bullet up through the goat's sternum that raised the billy off its front legs. When the billy touched his hoofs to the rock his knees buckled and he lurched forward. Rocks were no concern now as the billy was tumbling directly for us. I grabbed Josh and pulled him out of the way as the billy rolled by us mere feet away. He continued rolling down the chute coming to his final resting place 30 yds below us. WOW, that was intense. Josh and I looked at each other and there were no words.

http://i.imgur.com/mqgjl9mh.jpg (https://imgur.com/mqgjl9m)

[Dash]

Eagerly waiting for more... Great so far.

[Jimbob]

So proud of my son. This was a man's hunt. He earned every bit of this.

http://i.imgur.com/NRbUi7Qh.jpg (https://imgur.com/NRbUi7Q)

[Jimbob]

http://i.imgur.com/0f21d3rh.jpg (https://imgur.com/0f21d3r)

[Jimbob]

http://i.imgur.com/FPzgIxAh.jpg (https://imgur.com/FPzgIxA)

[Jimbob]

We were on cloud nine and we came down hard and fast. I pulled the book of our licenses out and there was my goat tag but where was Josh's? Then it hit me, I realized I never bought him one. I could give 1000 excuses about being busy but I SCREWED up. Making the best of a horrible situation I cut my tag hoping that might satisfy something with Josh being a youth hunter and me being the accompanying hunter. The decision was made that we would contact the CO as soon as we got back in town. We were sad but still thrilled about the hunt. The next day we hiked the goat out and stopped by the CO office back in town. No one was there. We called the hotline and reported our mistake.

A few days later the CO showed up at our home to get a statement then drove away with Josh's goat and most of my heart. I have never felt like such a screw up of a Dad. It sucks that my son loses out when I'm the one that should pay. We were given a warning but he said he had no discretion and had to confiscate the goat. I would gladly pay a fine if it meant my son could keep his goat. He earned it, every ounce and every inch. So proud of him and so disappointed in myself.

http://i.imgur.com/WC2PFl0h.jpg (https://imgur.com/WC2PFl0)

[whognu]

wow, great story

take heart, you have set your son up for a lifetime of always doing the right thing, and most importantly, doing the right thing when no one's looking

well done

chris

[tinhorse]

That is a heart break. I can't imagine what youre feeling. Your son will forgive and be ok with it but I bet it will be with you always. What a great hunt and harvest, just the misfortune of a tiny error that Im sure will never happen again.

[RJHunter]

What an awesome hunt to share with your son, he definitely earned his place as a goat hunter! Heartbreak for sure.

[Wrj]

What an adventure! Your son will have great memories of this for years. Regardless of losing the goat, what a great example of a man of integrity.

[silvertipp]

This is what you get for being honest
i know of one other person with a similar story
He was able to get it back
apparently they have an auction at the end of the year for the confiscated stuff
he had a taxidermist by it back for him
i would ask the co about this
I would also try to speak to his superior and see if there is something that could be done
good luck

[Jelvis]

People get busy they forget, the boy knows that now, hey his dad showed him what to do properly and that will impress people the most.
Jello -- You were honest and true -- and that is what is impressive to me -- very well done --

[Fella]

Great story, sucks about how it ended but you’re a great example for your son.

[Linksman313]

Great story and pics, youngster definitely handled the adversity like a man, now you both have every reason to go back again!
Thank you for posting, my daughter was elated to see this young man just a little older than her getting it done in the "BIG" mountains, she is now on google maps scouting Goat territory near our place in the Boundary!

[Buck]

Fantastic hunting tale congrats to your son.I feel quite bad for you gut wrenching hopefully it works out you set a good example congrats to you as well.

[whitlers]

What an awesome adventure! Too bad about the CO. That's what you seem to get for doing the right thing.

[MRP]

I'm impressed. At-a-boy. Hats off to the gide too.
Quite often a lot of things going on we all screw up once in awhile. We're all on your side even though the letter of the law isn't

[Elkhound]

That was an incredible account of things. Congrats to you both. Keep us posted about recovering the goat. I really hope it works out for you

[180grainer]

Excellent stuff and nice goat. Congrats.

[Red_Mist]

Congrats on the adventure, looks like you've got a hard core hunting partner !

[45freezer]

Man what an ending, I think my heart broke a bit as well reading that. Tremendous writing, awesome photos and a beautiful billy...definitely quite the oversight but it probably happens plenty of times every year and most guys just cross their fingers, drive home and punch a tag as soon as they can. You took full ownership, didn't make any excuses and without a doubt taught your boy the true meaning of ethics, that's big. Damn shame to lose the cape, I hope something is able to be worked out and that you guys were able to at least eat a few meals off him! Did you ever end up taking a peek inside the cave or was it just not possible to get up there?

[Shikari300WSM]

Excellent story and great pics. Sounds like your boy will enjoy the outdoors for many yesr to come. Congrats to both of you guys!

[Rattler]

What an amazing hunt and even better accomplishment for your son. Unfortunate about the tag but your son will always have the memories and pictures.

[HarryToolips]

This is what you get for being honest
i know of one other person with a similar story
He was able to get it back
apparently they have an auction at the end of the year for the confiscated stuff
he had a taxidermist by it back for him
i would ask the co about this
I would also try to speak to his superior and see if there is something that could be done
good luck
I agree with this, there's got to be a way $$$ wise to get your boys goat back....and good on ya for being honest, learn from your mistake and move on.....heck of a job dad and son, the biggest accomplishment you did Jimbob is mentoring your son in being a good and ethical hunter...

[srupp]

Amazing. .photos
Amazing adventure
Amazing Father
Amazing son
Amazing goat..

I too have walked in your shoes, honesty is always the best policy. .nothing the CO could hand out would match the punishment you handed out to yourself .the lesson your son learned far exceeds the trophy of a goat. .the memories of him and his Dad will live on for his entire life.
Thank you for sharing this monumental success.
Congrads to both Son and Father.
Srupp

[Jimbob]

Man what an ending, I think my heart broke a bit as well reading that. Tremendous writing, awesome photos and a beautiful billy...definitely quite the oversight but it probably happens plenty of times every year and most guys just cross their fingers, drive home and punch a tag as soon as they can. You took full ownership, didn't make any excuses and without a doubt taught your boy the true meaning of ethics, that's big. Damn shame to lose the cape, I hope something is able to be worked out and that you guys were able to at least eat a few meals off him! Did you ever end up taking a peek inside the cave or was it just not possible to get up there?

The first time I saw that cave I didn't think for a second the goat was in there but I did want to check it out. It must go in deep enough to hide the goat because I didn't see him in there until he came out. It was a very steep slope up to it so it would be a challenge to explore it. Very cool though.

The image of that billy standing at the mouth of that cave is burned forever into my mind. With the rocks coming down at us I was legitimately afraid. Baseball and golfball size rocks were bouncing off the slope and whizzing by our heads. It was as if the goat was kicking rocks down on purpose.

The first shot hit high through the spinous process of a couple vertebrae (the spinal cord was not hit) and took out a chunk of the offside scapula. There was not much bleeding as no major vessels were hit so it was not lethal. I guess the goat figured he would hole up the cave instead of taking off. Josh was actually really upset with himself about blowing the 70 yd first shot. His mistake was not supporting the rear of the stock, so it dropped a touch at the shot. It made for a heck of a better story though.

We ate the backstraps and tenderloins when it was still in our possession.

[Jimbob]

I'm not going to lie, my first thought was to buy a tag when we got back into town then wait a few days and cut it. But that would have tainted the hunt. I would have had to lie and then told my son to lie as well. Plus the consequence of getting caught would be way worse. Nothing can take that hunt away from us BUT if we got caught and lost our licenses for the next 5 years, how many hunts and great memories would we lose?

It was an honest mistake but it was our mistake to own.

[the_longwalker]

That was an awesome story and a few teachable moments as well. This sounds to me like the start of a Father/Son tradition. Well done the both of you.

[Thunderstix]

Reading that was an amazing way to start my day... Thank you.

[Jelvis]

Man you guys are in good shape to climb like that, Whoa! You must train all the time.
Those rocks could hurt Hahahaha
Jel -- nice thread.

[Bistchen]

Great hunt for the both of you, and thats all that maters ! good job, mistakes happen. Well done.
Remember, licencing is just the government selling our rights back to us.

[Wild one]

Congrats to you and the boy it will be a hunt neither forgets

[Dash]

Amazing story...Huge congrats to your son. That's a tremendous accomplishment and I can really see the pride beaming off you. The end was definitely heart wrenching.. However I think your honesty, and how you handled it was truly amazing. Thanks to you, your son will grow up to be (and already is) an exceptionally skillful and ethical hunter. You're not a screw up of a dad. You're a terrific dad.

[Jelvis]

I second Dash's post. Well said,
jel

[twoSevenO]

amazing story and hunt. thanks very much for sharing! Your boy's dedication and stamina is impressive for a 10 year old! Way to go!

Let us know what happens to the goat ..... honestly, i would not have self-reported that. You're a better man than I.

[Bugle M In]

Absolutely, a wicked and most awesome post in a long time!!!
Great pictures, and lots of them in detail, just incredible.
Congrats to both of you, something you both will always remember.
Reminds me of when I was young with my dad (got me a bit misty to be honest)
I can guarantee you, a hunt like that will just "cement the bond" between you and your son forever!!!
Awesome....and thanks. (just love alpine hunting)

[Steve W]

My vote for Post of the Year. Great story, well told pictures are an added bonus.

[caddisguy]

Definitely one of the best hunting stories I have read anywhere. Highs, lows, suspense, excitement, heart sinking. Almost felt like I was there, minus the strenuous work and getting pelted by rocks.

I think you handled the tag situation correctly and not tainting it. Had a scare with a tag once I misplaced after I cut it and couldn't find it. Finally found it after ransacking the jeep (already half way home) but contemplated asking my wife for her tag at one point before hand. I don't think I would have as I wouldn't want to implicate her... wrong reason I know, but nobody is perfect.

I am looking forward to your next story already. Thanks for writing all that up.

[Stone C. Killer]

Lots of rules to follow. Double that with a 10 yr old. Sucks when one slips through the cracks. Nice hunt and well done.

[BCbillies]

Well told adventure!!! Few 10 year olds could do that hunt with all its challenges. Most would never contemplate a second trip but I am confident there will be many more with your son. Many of us have done “stupid” things on hunts and have hopefully learnt from each. Have been in a similar circumstance with a buddy on a sheep hunt and it boiled down to what was the law, what kind of example would we be to our kids and could we live at peace with our decision in the years ahead. The right decision was made . . . no regrets.

[todbartell]

just seen this one. Wow great pics and story, what an accomplishment! The goat might never hang on his wall but he will never forget this hunt

[REMINGTON JIM]

I missed it too - Seen his thread on the spring Black Bear - Awesome Goat ! Great you GOT all the pics - don't Beat yourself up to Bad there Dad Stuff happens ! :wink: RJ

[Chewie]

That was a cool story. I was right there with you guys. I was raised the way you are raising Josh,that honesty is the best policy. He is lucky to have a father with the integrity that you have. The one thing that no one can take from you two is the memories of this first hunt.

[Jagermeister]

You did the right thing JimBob. Being honest is best example and you set that example. I applaud you and welcome to BC.

That said, the picture on post #23 is without a doubt the best photo I have ever seen here on Hunting in BC and that goes a long, long way back.

[sizedoes matter]

Awesome goat. Thanks for the story
what about your sheep hunt?

[Quesnel Kid]

Welcome to the NW and thank you for sharing your story. I still have a goat tag burning a hole in my pocket. I have been scouting the area and am just waiting for the right weather window. Fingers crossed.

[swampthing]

Just excellent!! A 10 year old on the mountain means a mountain man for life! Mistakes happen and how we deal is what we are made of. Fine job dad.

[madshawn]

You're honesty and how you handled the situation speaks volumes of your character. Your son is lucky to have a father like you. Amazing story!