My goat hunt 2012

[warnniklz]

You may or may not have followed my scouting thread I had going.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?82883-Pre-hopefull-2012-goat-hunt/page8&highlight=goat+hunt

But it's open season. Got out once so far.

I was talking to a ski guide in smithers and he told me about another trail that I could take in. So I figured I'd go check it out. Got to my parking spot late Friday night. So I just crashed in my vehicle for the night. In the morning I came across these tracks.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/523180_10152022316945387_838233590_n.jpg

Those tracks are in my tire tracks.

Anyways I found the trail head and started my way up nice and early. While it was still cool out. The trail was like a walk in the park compared to the other trails I tried to take in. Got to the first meadow in an hour.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292384_10152022318310387_428415083_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/547270_10152022319170387_1796942336_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/388064_10152022319360387_1909846207_n.jpg

No as I was taking that last picture. Up the hill I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I had to sort of look into the sun. At first I thought it was a wolf. I brought up the binos and about 200 yards away a small grizzly was standing out in the open. My heart was still beating from climbing and the bear kind of got it going again. He turned and took off up the hill and eastward (I wanted to go west) and wasn't hanging around for nothing.

I took a couple of steps and a grouse hen came at me out of the bush. They still startle me at the best of times. After seing the bear I jumped a bit. Some chicks came flying out and the grouse was still coming after. After fending her off and both of us getting away unscathed I continued on. The scenery and seeing the grizz had made my trip already.

[warnniklz]

I worked my way over to check out a bowl.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/408210_10152022344235387_1236844103_n.jpg

I sat for about an hour glassing the hill side. Then I decided it was time for some lunch. Cooked up a tsty little snack as I continued to take in the scenery. By this time it was probably 30 degrees out. I knew it was going to be tough spotting a goat out in the open in this heat.

So I went over to check out a big dirt patch to see what has been in it.
Well goats have been around
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417573_10152022348025387_65567570_n.jpg
Just not sure how long ago. All the goat tracks I did see were headed estward towards the timber. Something I'll have to check out more closely the next time I head up.

I thought this snow pack was pretty cool
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391494_10152022349175387_1933019170_n.jpg

I didn't see much of anything out that day. Just basically explored the area and took in the scenery.

[warnniklz]

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/484465_10152022349570387_2035042765_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420061_10152022350375387_704049479_n.jpg


http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/526063_10152022350935387_1940713376_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394409_10152022351740387_1470488741_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417413_10152022352405387_648724840_n.jpg

[BCHunterTV]

and then...? :razz:

[coach]

Great start on what I'm sure will be an epic thread! Looking forward to watching the rest of the story unfold. Thanks for taking all of us along for the ride..

[warnniklz]

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542545_10152022352940387_1107407246_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/428783_10152022353190387_1720109391_n.jpg


I did also see a badger... probably his home here
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427140_10152022354485387_898596327_n.jpg

I spent saturday night up the mountain and with all the heat I decided that I'd head off the mountain. If I did get something in the heat I'd probably lose it. Still have lots of time to get my goat.

[The Dude]

Very cool thread and pics. Especially for a rookie, you're doing it right!

We're all pullin, for ya!

[BiG Boar]

Goats are one of the best things to hunt in all of BC. They are so underrated. Once you've got one, you will make an effort to find them again.

[gerrygoat]

We are all pulling for you, nail a big billy. Now that the weather has cooled you should start seeing more critters. Funny story about the grizzly and grouse, those grouse can sure scare a guy at times :) Absolutely beautiful country you are hunting.

[ianwuzhere]

keep ater,
good luck!

[Mik]

Great photos, thanks for the story and lookin forward to seing your billy.

[4 point]

Way to go. Keep at it and you'll be succesful. Oh and nice pictures.

[warnniklz]

Well got out for a day trip this weekend.

Last wednesday I finally got my hands on some Hornady Superformance in 6.5x55. My rifle so far has only seen Federal Powershock and a handfull of Hornady Custom 140grain interbonds. Right off the bat I could tell there's a little more mustard in these.

I put a few rounds of the federal to make sure my rifle was still at it's zero at 200 yards. All was fine and dandy. Back down to the 100 yard target to try the Superformance ammo. Right away it felt different... in a good way. Hit 3" high. Made some my adjustments and went out to 200 yards. Took 3 shots and called it good.

Here's 3 shots @200 yards with superformance. Good enough for me.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/246705_10152075784450387_2011994994_n.jpg

So Friday night I left Burns Lake at 8pm. Made it to the trail head by 11pm. On the way in I caught a cow and a calf moose as well as a coyote in my headlights. Anyways I camped at the trailhead for the night. Woke up half hour before my alram was set to go off. Heard wolves howling away. At first it was one, then it seemed like four or five more joined in. So I crawled out of my sleeping bag and goldbonded my bag. Then it was up the hill.

On the way up there seemed to be more moose tracks than before. I had planned on hunting the timber a little more considering it was going to be smokin hot again. It seems to only be hot out when I wanna go up the mountain. Though I couldn't leave the other spots unchecked. Of course on one hillsides on the other side of the bowl, I was pretty sure I could see(with binos) a lone goat laying on the only patch of snow left. I sat and watched it for maybe a half hour to see if it would move.

Now I couldn't leave a stone unturned. So I worked m way along the ridge until I could get a decent look at it. Originaly direct line of sight according to google earth was 1,768 yards. I had go it down to 933 yards. By this time I could clearly see that it was just a hollow in the snow that gave off a weird shadow.

As I was crossing the ridge I came across this.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184046_10152084338865387_731128351_n.jpg

There was 2 sets of these puppies wandering around. They were not up there the last time I was. Not sure if they were chasing moose up the mountain, looking for goats like me or feeding on those huge marmots. I could hear one at different points of the day in the bottom of the bowl. I never could get eyes on him.

So I did headed eastward and checked out some other spots and didn't see anything. I slowly picked my way down through some timber. Stumbled across a respectable bull moose. He was probably 30-40 inches across and within bow ranger. Coudln't get a pictures. He didn't hang around long enough and he was in some ungly brush going up the hill.

I was prepared to stay the night on the hill but I had to do some other things today for work. So I got down off the hill just before I had to turn on my headlamp. So far no goats downed or spotted yet. Next time out, I plan on workign my way around another ridge to hunt another area I haven't been able to check out yet.


Here's a couple more pictures.

marmot jaw
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429969_10152084357790387_626184342_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402966_10152084358650387_1795582596_n.jpg

[kennyj]

You know there is a goat in the top photo in post #6 right?
Beautiful photos. What an awesome day you had.
kenny

[375 ultramag]

Great amount of work your putting into making your goat hunt a success. Your deserve a great billy. Good luck, keep us posted.

[limit time]

Goat tag...

[warnniklz]

You know there is a goat in the top photo in post #6 right?
Beautiful photos. What an awesome day you had.
kenny

Frosty the snow goat in that picture. I had just walked that ridge and that was looking back.

Today from the Boston Pizza parking lot I could count 8 goats up on Hudson Bay mountain (not my area). There's also been goats that have been taken in my area that were on the north side of the mountain. I've been hunting south facing slopes. I figure if I stay inmy area the goats will move in eventually. Next timeI get a chance to get up there... I may have to take an extra day and hike over the mountain onto the other side.

[killer_shot]

Wow you must be getting some legs on you by now.

I remember when i started hunting goats few years back i would do the death hikes up the biggest mountain with a loaded pack just to check it out. Its a great way to see if goats have been living around there. I quickly realized that i was expending way to much time and energy chasing ghosts. I quickly learned to find the goats before i go. They move so much and so fast that they are often not around.
I only say this to hopefully help you get your trophy. You might want to try this method if it works in your zone. Get to a good position to glass your peak early when they would be feeding. If they are not there after a good hard glass with binos and spotting scope, move to the next spot. If they are try to identify the billy. Once you think you are on a billy, mark the spot in your map. As you said it only took about an hour to get into the alpine, chances are he will still be around by the time you get up there.
I hope this helps as it helped my friends and my self . Its obviously just one way of hunting goats and may or not be applicable to your zone.

All the best luck to you, cant wait to see the rest of your season.

[warnniklz]

Advice is taken.

I think once they're in the area and I locate, things will come together quickly. I hope.

[porcupine]

Enjoying your posts! Can't wait to hear about the big one!

[ydouask]

Great hunting story and photos.... sure better than " Whack and stack" on the T.V.

[Call of the Wild]

Keep up the story, I like to follow how you progress.

[warnniklz]

Well it's been awhile since I've been out. Got a show to go to in Van the week after thanksgiving. So I've been busy trying to get ready for that. But my buddy from Williams Lake wants to get out this weekend. So I'll meet up with him late tomorrow night and head out. With it being cooler now (~10 degrees) I think it'll be a lot better.

Now I feel like I'm missing something.
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298640_10152127755600387_157646030_n.jpg
Rifle, Binos, Zip lock baggies, wool poncho(my buddy thinks he doesn't need a sleeping pad), caffine pills, rub a535, socks, emergenc-c, mountain house meals,shorts, boots, hot tape, longsleeve silk shirt, thermal underwear, longsleeve fleece shirt, 100 feet of paracord, headlamp, bug deterrent patches, ammo, tent, sleeping pad, laminated map, work gloves, frogg togg driducks rain gear, boots hockey tape, moisture wicking shirts, hat, tea, 4 power bars, snickers, pooh paper, stove, fuel, eating tool, safari tin, lighter, compass, hockey tpe, custom made knife, outdor edge stratus knife, sharpening stone, bandaids, outbound cup, outbound towel, mirror (for field shaving the gouch, tin of snoose, water tabs

I do have my sleeping bag, tripod, hutning license and spotting scope packed as well. I think I just need a goat on the ground

[sherpa-Al]

How long are you going for? One of those fuel cannisters will last 5 days on 3 boils per day (I have the same stove). I like to carry a couple of large clear bags for keeping the rain off my pack at night and keeping the goat hide and meat away from my gear on the trip down.

Al

[warnniklz]

my back has a built in rain cover that packs nicely into the bottom. and it also fits my sleeping pad in with it. just going for the weekend.

[decker9]

Awesome reading so far and some amazing photos warnniklz! All your hard foot miles and determination will pay off, trust me! Lookin forward to, the rest of the story!! good luck on your journey!!

[coach]

Great thread and pictures. Good luck on your next outing. Hopefully you can connect on a nice billy!

[sherpa-Al]

Good luck, looks like the weather is smartening up a bit. Cooler is definitely better, hot makes for hard goat hunting.
Al.

[warnniklz]

So back at the end of september was my last outing. My buddy called me up at 6 and said he wouldn't be coming because he left his gear in the back of the truck and it got soaked. So I got up early the next morning and headed out solo. Made my way up in the dark. It was a lot easier as a lot of the devils club has died. As I was making my way up the mountain, the sun came up.

There was some fog up high, but with the sun being up it started to break. As I got higher and higher, it got windier and foggier. When I got onto the ridge I wanted to move across, the snow was coming at me at a 90 degree angle because it was so windy. I pulled out the rangefinder and ranged the nearest visible rock. 40 yards came up.

I figured I'd just climb down a little back to where the fog wasn't so bad. There I'd wait to see if the fog would break up higher. So I made my way down the mountain. It started to get a little stteper than I remember and the visibility wasn't getting any better. I made my way out of the fog to find myself in a steep ass gulley. I could climb back into the fog and hunker down or climb down the mountain and stay warm and dry. After about 2 hours of climbing down the gulley I hit the main road again and walked back to the vehicle.

I've been away and too busy to go back out since. But the new snow has me wanting to go back out again to see what's moving.

Here's a video of the fog before it got bad.

http://www.facebook.com/warnniklz#!/photo.php?v=10152142473360387&set=vb.566510386&typ e=2&theater

[warnniklz]

Ok... now I'm done chasing deer and moose around... back to goats.

Looking at trying a new spot. Anyone framilliar with the Cedarvale Trail in the winter time? PMs would be swell, can't give out too much info to the lurkers here.

[BCbillies]

Ok... now I'm done chasing deer and moose around... back to goats.

Looking at trying a new spot. Anyone framilliar with the Cedarvale Trail in the winter time? PMs would be swell, can't give out too much info to the lurkers here.

Funny you should post as gerrygoat and I mentioned you this afternoon wondering if you were still going for a late season goat? There hasn't been enough fresh goats on here lately so we're counting on you. :) Sounds like you're good to go!

[warnniklz]

Funny you should post as gerrygoat and I mentioned you this afternoon wondering if you were still going for a late season goat? There hasn't been enough fresh goats on here lately so we're counting on you. :) Sounds like you're good to go!

I'll try not to disappoint...

[warnniklz]

Well today was a short day...

Went to a new spot I haven't been to yet. It's a 9km hike to the alipne from the highway... shorter if you have a sled or quad. Anyways I didn't make it very far. I was about 3kms back and was climbing up the hill through some blown over crap. I ended up bunging up my left humping muscle (pectineus muscle I think it's called). Anyways I was climbing over some deadfall and stepped up with my left leg. As I was about to push off my right leg, the snow gaveway. My right leg went back and almost ended up doing the splits.

I was more concerend about my rifle, so I tucked and rolled back. Got up and brushed myself off, Right away I could feel a tightness in my junkular area. So I stretched it for about 10 minutes and tried to walk it off. Still tight. So I busted out the A535 and applied liberally. Kinda burnt the testicular joint. Stretched it some more and took a break and had some tasty snacks. Pushed on a little further but I could lift my leg less and less. So instead of getting stuck up on the hill I slowly made my way out.

Got home and can't even go up a set of stairs right now. So tonight I'm icing it up and trying to loosen it up. See how it feels in the morning and go from there. I'd bust out my burner and burn some stuff up to figure out what's wrong, but I'm not a scientist.