Goat hunting 2013/2014 *taxidermy added*

[warnniklz]

OHHHH TAY!... 'tis the season again. Again I'll do a running thread on my goat adventures this year. Last year was a learning experience and a half. Ended up only seeing one goat during new years. He was on a knife ridge and I could have taken him(not sure if he was huge or not). But I knew if he went off the back side I wouldn't have been able to retrieve him.

Anyways. I put my brother, my buddy and myself in for a region 6 goat draw. Me and my buddy got our draws, while my brother got squat.

While working back in April, I was cruising home from work. Bored and gawking at the run off pulling snow off the mountains, I was checking them out trying to figure out how much longer I had to wait until bears would be popping up. I wasn't really paying attention, but then all of a sudden something caught my eye in a gorge(best way to describe it I guess). I whipped around and drove back. I had seen something just a little off white. Up with the binos(they always ride shotgun) and sure enough there was a couple of goats chilling out. How I seen them with the undressed eye is beyond me. They were half way down the mountain just below the snow line.

So from there on home I started watching for them a little closer. I started seeing more and more.

None of this spot the moose BS... lol
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So I started mapping out on google earth, where I had been seeing goats each day I was cruising by the area. It came down to 2 management units and those were the two we all applied for.

Same spot, later date... I think I counted 7 in this spot this day.
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same spot not through binos
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different spot... I counted 8 here. There in the picture... just quite a ways away
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[warnniklz]

I started checking google earth looking for access spots(basically non-existent being sans jet boat, but still there). Drove into one spot and started glassing around. Didn't see anything obvious but still nice to get terrain features and the lay of the land.

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good to know bears are around...
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a heavy size 12
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[BCbillies]

I think I've glassed those spots a few times . . . I wasn't lucky enough to get the draw. We're expecting you to knock one down this year! Looking forward to reading the stories and seeing the photos.

[warnniklz]

Found a spot last week that is a good spot to hike in from(will have to cut a trail) up a mountain that I was sure had to hold goats. Glassed for only 20 minutes as I also wanted to check out some other spots, so I didn't spot anything.

So today I went back to the spot I want to go in from and started glassing. Glassed for about half hour. It was foggy at first then it lifted. Trying to determine what was rocks and what was alive was a little tricky. Was willing some rocks into being goats.

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I all of a sudden caught some white movement in some alders. I pulled the binos down for a second and back up. I couldn't ever find it again. Kept glassing trying to figure out where I had saw the movement. Then finally a goat came walking out over the rocks. Watched it for fifteen minutes or so, then started looking to see if anything else was moving around. Caught two white spots way up on the ridge line. I'm 80% sure one was a goat. It was a long effin ways away, but I'm sure it was a goat laying down moving it's head side to side. Went back to what I knew was a goat and kept watching for a bit before heading on home.

There's a goat in this picture, but you can't really make him out.
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On another note... I've been staring at my gun cabinet trying to decide which rifle to take out with me. Last year I had my 6.5x55 out. But after recovering my bullet from my deer last November... I've been hesitant taking it back out for goats. So I've been leaning to my 30_06... which is also lighter than my 264(I could easily drop a lot of weight off of it). But today I came across a box of Nosler Custom ammo with 140 grain accubonds loaded up. So I'll have her at the range to make sure the zero is where I want it, and it'll probably get the nod while I take a dose of toughen the f up.

By this time last year I had already made a couple of hikes up to my area, but I've worked basically every weekend since june, so free time has been minimal. My first trip up will be either august long weekend or two weekends after that(stupid weddings and stuff)... but my buddy and myself are aiming for a week sometime in September to get serious.

[todbartell]

good luck Warren!

[Moe.JKU]

good start already. always nice to see some animals out gets you wanting them that more.
I know i was happy the other weekend testing out the new gps

[Trekker]

good luck, looking forward to more!

[kilometers]

My dad got the region 6 goat me and my bro got sweet f all.
No worries though we got our own area were goin into.
Looks like your goin down the right road to succes

[Duck Buster]

Looks like a great area. We are heading into an area that looks similar to this one but with 10 000 ft peaks on the East and West sides of it. I hope it will hold goats just like yours. Unfortunatly for us we can't get there to scout befor the hunt so we are doing it with topo maps, google earth and any pics we can find of the area. Looks like you are on the right track and I can't wait to read the story of your great hunt.

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[decker9]

Looking forward to this one!! Followed your tread last fall, was hoping to see your first billy on the ground, im sure this is your year!! Some good lookin country you have picked out! Iwouldn't hesitate with the 6.5, shot my first goat with one and worked great!, was using 160gr lead tho.

No goat draw for me this year, region 7 it is!

Cheers and good luck!!

[Rhyno]

Right on Warren, cant wait read story of your success!

[Samsquantch]

there is a road at the back end of that spot you want to take off from. About half way along (maybe a km or so) it there was a nice trail cut and flagged, it looked fresh in april but may be thick as hell now. I didn't hike up the trail to see where it went. I have seen 40 goats on top of that ridge from the other side of the mainstem (three years ago, most I saw this year was 15 or so) and late in the season down low on both the east and west side of that face. Good luck.

[Sitkaspruce]

Going to be another great thread!!! Good luck on the hunt Warren, goats are very addicting.......

Cheers

SS

[warnniklz]

Ready for more story?

[warnniklz]

"then the goat alarm will go off"

So Quesnel Kid(QK) got a hold of me a week or two back. He wanted to do some sort of mountain mission. We both picked out a couple of spots to check out and ended up settling on one he picked out. After really only a little bit of planning, it was set we'd head out to explore on August long for GOS goats.

Neither of us really knew anything about the area, but looked good on Google Earth.

Friday afternoon arrived. I pulled up to his house. He came out of the house and I said "are you QK? I'm warnniklz". He asked "ready to go hunting?" and we loaded up and were off. After a fairly short drive we were at the trail head. After a 3ish hour hike in we were at camp.

We got settled into camp and then busted out the spotting scope and binos. It wasn't long until I had a nanny picked out in the scope. She had a kid with her and it was running around with her.

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A minute or two later I had another goat in the spotter. Watched it for a few minutes. It was all alone and I was pretty sure it was a billy, but looking across the valley I couldn't be positive. We kept watching and sure enough it stretched out to drain the main vein. Billy it was. We kept an eye on him until he bedded down.
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We then started checking the terrain and discussing game plans for the morning. Shortly after we spotted a young grizzly bear crossing the slide and into the valley. Last we seen him he was on our camp side of the creek. We thought we'd have a visitor that night, but we think he made his way down the valley.

The billy bedded down in a good spot for himself, but shitty for us. We went to bed and in the morning checked the mountainside to see if he was still there. Sure enough he wasn't far from where he had bedded. We had a quick bite to eat and busted up the other side of the valley to make a play.

View from our camp
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[warnniklz]

We got up the other side of the valley and played the terrain the best we could. We peeked over the moraine and he was gone. It was already scorching out. We thought he may have worked his way into some shade to cool off and bed down. We hid ourselves for a few hours while glassing to see if he'd show himself again.0


(camera got a little damp and went a little ****y... so some reason panorama pictures were the only ones that were turning out... hence I went a little crazy with the panorama cheese whiz)
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Hiding out drying the feet out while glassing for goats.
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Some time went by and we decided to get to higher ground to see if we could get a better vantage point or if he made his way over the peak. We climbed up to a saddle between two peaks. We came across some serious goat trails and some goat down to boot. We spent several hours watching to see if something would move. But I think we were the only critters that were dumb enough to be moving around in 30 degree weather.

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[warnniklz]

Looking off the backside of the saddle
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Mmmm... my best buddy
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QK taking in the scenery
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Screw Off!, Muskol, Thermacel and all that other stuff... if you want bug repellant, take me. They'll leave you alone and annihilate me. But it's not goat hunting without horseflies and mosquitos.
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[warnniklz]

Mountain Molly (QK's dog who went everywhere with us)
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So we spent most of the afternoon sitting up in the saddle, hoping to spot something... but it was barren out there. So we figured if the goat did go down to hide in some shade, we'd have to make a play. We headed down and started to work the benches. As we did, we found lots of goat beds and a snow field full of goat shit.
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We never did get eyes on him again. We also found out that he had an excellent sightline on us as we crossed a slide. So we made our way back down to camp. We got back to camp, had something to eat and passed out for the night.

[warnniklz]

The next morning we were up at 5am. Sure enough we spotted a goat where we had seen the billy the morning before. We watched it for a bit and it took a squat. Not sure if it was a billy dropping the browns off at the super bowl or a nanny rockin' a piss. The plan was to watch it to see where it would bed down. Of course we missed that event and lost sight of it.

Knowing it to be another scorcher, our plan was to check out the valley that ran to the south east. It was a short and hot hike. Seemed like whenever I was in the sun it just drained me. We found some shade to set up and glass some shady cliff bases.

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[warnniklz]

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1146699_10153093586630387_138110505_n.jpg

QK trying to spot some goats.
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Me keeping a look out for white dots
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[warnniklz]

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Selena hanging out, waiting for action
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Drying the feet out... dry feet are happy feet
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After a couple hours QK and his dog took off to take a look over a peak while I was going to check out another area. Later we would meet up at a small lake/pond because there was well used trails around it.

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[warnniklz]

https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483897_10153093595010387_1995892121_n.jpg

As I was working an area, I found a goat trail that lead up to some shady green area.

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Always steeper when you get about half way up. Pictures don't really do it justice.
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looking down
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trying to show how steep it is... didn't really work
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[warnniklz]

I decided to get off of the trail here
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Still didn't get any easier... still a slick slope. Lots of goat hair in here, but no one was home.
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I crossed here along the base. Basically holding onto the rocks trying not to slip and fall. I wouldn't say it was scary, but there was a couple instances where I may have puckered up a little.
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The rendezvous lake
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[warnniklz]

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[The Dawg]

Awesome buddy! Keep em comin!

[warnniklz]

coming up on the lake
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looking off the backside of the lake
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I made it to the lake around 4pm and waited for QK and Mountain Molly to come back. Spotted this rockface and dubbed it "The Sleeping Samsquanch"
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[warnniklz]

So about 5pm QK and Molly were back at the lake. We spent a bit of time recovering in the shade, swimming and building a game plan.
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We were trying to figure out what ridge we'd set up on to glass for the rest of the evening. We decided to hit the ridge to the northwest of us and cook up a snack.
We got over there and found some cover in some spruce trees. QK asked "I thought you were going to cook up that meal". I told him "I'm waiting a bit in case we have to make a play". He replied with "good idea... if we were cooking, then the goat alarm would go off".

So after half an hour I busted out the stove and the hi mountain Cajun beans and rice. started to cook it up. As I was cooking we were both glassing the ridges. I was watching where we were the day before and had seen goats. Then for some reason I looked over to my left and with my naked eye I spotted a goat on a bluff with my naked eye. Only 500ish yards out. We focused the spotter and binos on it. It was looking behind itself. We were sure it was a nanny looking for it's kid. Sure enough it looked right at us. Busted! It went back over the ridge.

This is where the goat was.
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[warnniklz]

We waited for 45 minutes or so to see if the goat would show itself again. We decided that if there was a billy to come out, we should move down one more ridge to close some distance. So we packed up and relocated one more time.

We finished off our small meal and then QK said he spotted a goat.

He spotted a kid on the far side of the rock with the black vein.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/60465_10153093638060387_1829536367_n.jpg

We watched it for a bit, until it disappeared. Goats were definitely up and moving. Being our last night, we decided to make a stalk on it for fun. That's not to say we didn't have hopes of spotting a billy. We worked our way along a cliff face, all while keeping our eye on the draws and cliffs in case something was watching us. Just as we came around the corner of where we had spotted the kid, we spotted 2 nannies and 2 kids bailing up the hill at about 150 yards. We watched them for a bit.

We then started losing light and made our way back to camp. We got up this morning and made our way out. No goats hit the dirt but being the first time in the area and seeing the goats we did, I'd consider it a success.

[HarryToolips]

Goin to use my LEH for my first goat hunt ever cant wait! Nice pics by the way guys, and what tips ya got for me??

[Hammerhead]

Great write up and pictures, thanks for posting. Are you guys going to get a 2nd crack at it?
HH

[BromBones]

Good pics, looks like you had a good time.

I've got a Skeena goat tag as well, once I get back from up North I'll be doing weekend trips to try to find one.

[warnniklz]

Goin to use my LEH for my first goat hunt ever cant wait! Nice pics by the way guys, and what tips ya got for me??

Thanks. Only tip I really have is... glass the area you think goats will be, then glass somewhere else. That's where you'll see them.


Great write up and pictures, thanks for posting. Are you guys going to get a 2nd crack at it?
HH


Good pics, looks like you had a good time.

I've got a Skeena goat tag as well, once I get back from up North I'll be doing weekend trips to try to find one.

I got a LEH on the Skeena. A buddy of mine has the same draw as well. So not sure if I'll make it back to the same area... but I'll be for sure out again.

[decker9]

Hey great lookin goat country! And fantastic photos warn! Being up there in this heat sure drains a guy hey. Selena's a good rifle she seems, never put out on the first date! Lol. Hopefully you get lucky on your next one!

[warnniklz]

Hey great lookin goat country! And fantastic photos warn! Being up there in this heat sure drains a guy hey. Selena's a good rifle she seems, never put out on the first date! Lol. Hopefully you get lucky on your next one!

Ah ha... had her for awhile. She's dropped a few animals already. She's been getting jealous though.

[decker9]

Oh oh ic, thought that one was "your new girl friend" lol

[warnniklz]

Oh oh ic, thought that one was "your new girl friend" lol

Thought about taking the new one with me... haven't been behind her enough yet to feel comfortable taking longer shots with it yet.

[adriaticum]

Great stuff, thanks for the updates!

[Darksith]

right on, great adventure, can't wait for round 2

[warnniklz]

soooo... I've realized I don't really truly understand mountain goat habits. I know the basics... I'm sure. But I've decided to start taking notes/observations.

Today on my way home from work, I stopped to check out the one spot I've been keeping an eye on.

Last night there was some pretty heavy rain.
Today it was 19 degrees and overcast.
Pulled in at 6pm and spotted a goat at 6:05.
Goat disappeared back into some trees, out of view at 6:10 pm.
6:25 pm a light fog moved in and I continued on home.

I also made a rough sketch of the terrain and where I spotted the goat.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1016993_10153121932340387_1463032628_n.jpg

So I'll continue doing this and probably end up learning something... ????

[Rackmastr]

Some amazing pics and a great adventure so far!!! Cant wait to see ya with a dead goat!!

[HarryToolips]

Unreal pics there Warnniklz! Question for you experienced goat folk: How much do you guys pack on ya when headin goat huntin and for how long ya go for usually?? What kind of food ya bring to keep the weight down? I'm just thinkin of takin my sleepin bag with small rolled mattress strapped to my game-carry-out pack, along with a camel-back for my water (I'm sure I can find a re-fill source up on the mountain), plus binos and rangefinder and .30-06..for food I'm thinkin a bunch of jerky, energy bars, dried fruit, and a steak of course for a treat..I'm thinkin of not packin a tent, as I have slept on numerous occasions during survival camps with no tent, even in the winter so I know I can handle the cold, especially with a good sleepin bag like I got..

[Quesnel Kid]

Nice Waren

we gotta had up there again when the weather cools down a bit. In the mean time I have a couple more promising spots in mind if you wanna head out one weekend. I have revived some good beta from a bio recently.

[warnniklz]

Unreal pics there Warnniklz! Question for you experienced goat folk: How much do you guys pack on ya when headin goat huntin and for how long ya go for usually?? What kind of food ya bring to keep the weight down? I'm just thinkin of takin my sleepin bag with small rolled mattress strapped to my game-carry-out pack, along with a camel-back for my water (I'm sure I can find a re-fill source up on the mountain), plus binos and rangefinder and .30-06..for food I'm thinkin a bunch of jerky, energy bars, dried fruit, and a steak of course for a treat..I'm thinkin of not packin a tent, as I have slept on numerous occasions during survival camps with no tent, even in the winter so I know I can handle the cold, especially with a good sleepin bag like I got..

thanks... every time I head out I seem to be leaving gear behind that I had the trip before. For food I was packing energy bars, hi mountain dehydrated meals(because I had them on hand) and mountain house meals. Next trip out I'll probably bring some higher calorie foods... probably.


Nice Waren

we gotta had up there again when the weather cools down a bit. In the mean time I have a couple more promising spots in mind if you wanna head out one weekend. I have revived some good beta from a bio recently.

For sure I'll head out... may make a weekend warrior trip this weekend. My weekends are starting to slow down a little now.

I'll be out on the long weekend for sure. I'm also going to take the last week of September off, as my buddy is coming up to chase goats then as well.

[sherpa-Al]

You are on the right track Warren, spending time glassing, hiking, studying the terrain. The zone you have drawn has a good #of goats, but due to the amount of granite around they can be very difficult and sometimes dangerous to get to. This year in particular the bugs will be swarming the goats so look for dirt patches (the goats will be rolling in them to keep the bugs off) and look for off color or dirty goats which can be very hard to see. A lot of guys who get those draws spend most of their time glassing to find the goats and then wait them out. Sooner or later they will be in an area where a good shot is presented, and it's up to you to be in position. If you don't find an early goat, the first heavy snowfall will bring them down out of the cliffs and vulnerable to hunters. From then on until earl Dec they will be with or near the nannies getting ready to rut. Good luck,

Al

[warnniklz]

Thanks Sherpa... I'll keep the dirt beds in mind. I always watched the bluffs thinking the goats would be bedded there in windy spots to keep the bugs down. I usually catch them wiggling their ears. Dirt beds make sense. I've seen animals from cows and horses to deer and caribou rolling in dust to keep the bugs down.

[warnniklz]

There was another thread where someone wanted me to let them know how nosler custom ammo worked out of my 6.5x55. Couldn't find the thread, so I'll toss it up here and maybe they'll find it here.

Anyways... I've always had troubles with getting decent loads with my Parker Hale 1100 6.5x55. Found federal power shok(blue box) ammo to be the most accurate. I've also been shooting hornady superformance for game. Took my deer last fall with it. The 140 grain SST bullet blew apart on me... still did the job, but wasn't impressed really. Found a box of nosler trophy grade ammo with 140 grain accubonds loaded up.

Now... I haven't had the rifle at the range seriously in a month or two. I picked up 2 boxes Sellier and Bellot 140 grain full metal jackets to punch some paper.

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1175305_10153125936570387_1255016506_n.jpg

I was told by someone they use it at 1000 yard shoots and have won competitions...

So... get everything set up at the range. Put three 3 shot groups at a 100 yards. 1st shot high and left, 2nd way off to the right and 3rd a little left of centre. Four, five and six tightened up a little more... maybe first 3 were shooter error and next 3 I was settling down?... Seven, eight and nine were in the same class as 4 5 and 6.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1157650_10153125950435387_69616365_n.jpg

Next... out to 200 yards. 1 and 3 were alright grouping wise, while 2 was out to lunch. 5 and 6 were touching while once again... 4 was out to lunch. Seven, eight and nine were lousy as well.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1148826_10153125951710387_1448331870_n.jpg

What I haven't told you is, I had my rifle spit some burning powder a couple of times into my upper lip. Could smell burning metal and smoke was pouring out from the side of my bolt. Now on their website, they claim muzzle velocity is 787 metres per second. Which translates to roughly 2581 feet per second. Not really a hot load. So I was wondering if it was maybe my firing pin, head spacing or maybe lousy primers. Still don't know really.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1174533_10153125941435387_980069663_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1184836_10153125947565387_956419431_n.jpg

Blew through two primers(sorry for the shitty second picture), and had a few primers that raised up around the firing pin. Only one round was a little tight to open the bolt, and the primer looked fine on that one.

[warnniklz]

So thinking it may be my rifle... tried 4 rounds of federal power shok... all shot fine. Hit the 6 inch gong at 200 yards with ease and the primers came out fine.

Then I pulled out my nosler 140 grain accubonds. Since I only found one box, I wanted to save some for goat hunting until I pick up another box or two. Wanted to save 11 rounds to be exact.

Put 3 shots down range at 200 yards. They were way too low and a little spread out. I realized I hadn't adjusted my parallax properly. Fourth shot was low and right. Made windage and elevation adjustments. The next five shots were decent... I guess.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/552671_10153125953930387_1951307816_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1001420_10153124808180387_63690115_n.jpg

So I'll be definitely be buying more nosler ammo, and I'll be packing my six five on my next outing.

[warnniklz]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1175301_10153136454205387_287076819_n.jpg

Plan for the weekend was to cut trail to the base of the mountain. So I set my alarm for 5am in hopes of getting the trail marked out and maybe sneak in an afternoon hunt. But I ended up passing out again. Was up at 8 and into my spot at 11. When I pulled in to where I wanted to camp, I was surprised there was someone camped there.

Went to make small talk with them. Next thing I know I'm shooting the shit with them for a few hours while watching 4 goats on the mountain top. 3pm rolled around and I finally set off cutting/marking trail. It was pretty easy going for the most part. But there was some serious blow down, alders and devils club to clear out. When I started to come up a meadow, the grasses were 5 feet high. So I had to basically swim through the. I'll have to take a machete up next time.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1150144_10153136455360387_424086651_n.jpg

I reached the base of the mountain at 6:30. Had a different view of the terrain and a better idea for a plan of attack when things get serious.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1146456_10153136483940387_2041570528_n.jpg

Fog was rolling in pretty good so I headed back down.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1186754_10153136484740387_382745875_n.jpg

Only took half hour back to the bottom... it was a lot easier when you're not trying to clear trail. Went and talked with the campers until 11 last night and headed home.

[HarryToolips]

Unreal pics cant wait til my first goat hunt next month..I use the Federal Blue box ammo for my Savage .30-06, for the money federal makes awesome ammo..if you get the best groupings with the blue box stuff, I'd try the Federal Fusions with your gun, shoot the same as the blue box out of mine anyway and the fusions hold together well in my experience on big game..

[Darksith]

keep it coming, can't wait to see you holding a beauty goat in your hands...well deserved and thanks for taking us along

[warnniklz]

Unreal pics cant wait til my first goat hunt next month..I use the Federal Blue box ammo for my Savage .30-06, for the money federal makes awesome ammo..if you get the best groupings with the blue box stuff, I'd try the Federal Fusions with your gun, shoot the same as the blue box out of mine anyway and the fusions hold together well in my experience on big game..

The nosler custom 140 grain accubonds have far outdone any other ammo in my 6.5x55. The power shok is accurate enough... but the possibility of taking longer range shots, I'm sticking with the accubonds.

Out of my vanguard ought six, it likes the hornady superformance 165 GMX.

I have family members that can knock down moose with 180 grain power shoks out of their 308s all day long.

I think simple built bullets like the power shok bullets have less chance of having a flaw... but I just don't have enough experience with them on animals

[warnniklz]

Stopped into the spot today after work. There were 4 goats in the area. One was still on the same rock from saturday. One I'm sure is a nanny (sans kid). It's slender in the shoulders and has a big ol' goato booty. There's one in the group that is stockier and noticably bigger(think I mentioned this in an earlier post. But I'm on my crackberry at the moment) than the others. Couldn't really make out the black horns against a dark grey rock wall. But I've decided that he's going to be the one, and if the weather is half decent this weekend, I'll make a solid attempt at him.

[Darksith]

big ol' goato booty. .

well played :)

[todbartell]

good luck!

[BiG Boar]

shoot em first thing in the morning as they come down to feed. A-they're closer, B-you've got all day to work with them.

[behemoth]

Awesome thread. Good luck this weekend

[warnniklz]

I've been in the market to upgrade my spotting scope.

So about 2:00am on Wednesday morning... I decided it was time. I did some stalking and got Todbartell's secret home phone number. I dialed his number and he answered... Now it's a little nerve racking calling TB... meeting Jim Shockey and all makes TB a legend. So all he probably heard was heavy breathing. I panicked and hung up. So I pounded back a bunch of Jim Beam... feeling a little more confident I called again. He answered.

Told him I was in the market for a spotting scope and he recommended one. He said he just absolutely loved looking through it, and loved the image he saw through it every time. Sound pretty good to me. So he shipped it out that afternoon (he probably slept in because I talked to him until the sun came up). I had it on my doorstep this morning! Stoked!

Busted it out when I got home from work this afternoon to take a look... see what he loved looking at so much. This is what I saw

actual picture
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1208916_10153153769815387_417089510_n.jpg

Turns out he use to be in some sort of underground black market roller derby mafia or something.

Anyways... it was just that picture slipped between the eye piece and spotting scope body. It was easily removed, burned and ashes flushed down the toilet.

Set it up in my front yard and took a peek at the mountain side. It's just over 5 km away.

pictures taken through scope with crackberry
highest magnification
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1186070_10153153717065387_315220456_n.jpg

lowest magnification
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1185256_10153153716640387_559323691_n.jpg

Here's a couple from the old spotter on Tuesday
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1001261_10153146626180387_801200215_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1002904_10153146626885387_1054923260_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

So I decided to go for a weekend warrior trip. Forecast wasn't looking pretty. But I figured I'd giv'r anyways.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1005810_10153160998270387_964131294_n.jpg

Pulled in at 6:30pm on Friday... set up the spotting scope to see what was moving. Only problem was, the fog was nice and thick.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1186015_10153161090720387_441169813_n.jpg

So I mixed up some sleep aid and burned through some reading material.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1173685_10153161090045387_1385113900_n.jpg

The fog did have some short breaks in it. so when it did clear I glassed what I could. First couple of breaks I couldn't pick anything out.
Then finally a little break... I picked out a goat on the skyline. It went over the back side of the ridge while 7 others came over. Then the
fog came in again. And once again it broke again for a short period. In the fifteen minutes that it took for the fog to break, thy had made
their way down quite a ways.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234068_10153161089595387_1175925147_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1239861_10153161089730387_1050142951_n.jpg

There was one kid, one juvenile, two nannies and one I couldn't determine what it was.

[adriaticum]

Great thread, keep up the good work!

[warnniklz]

I figured I'd set up camp before it rains. Sure enough... it started to pour.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1157706_10153161091020387_229637757_n.jpg

Cooked up something to eat
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1173908_10153161091235387_1896222552_n.jpg

and retired to the sleeping bag. It rained all night long. It didn't really bother me because if it poured all night,
hopefully it'd clear out the fog. Alarm went off at 5:30am. Poked my head out and it was still pouring out and no visible light yet. Alarm
went off again at 6. It was still raining and the fog was still thick. 7am I poked my head out and I could see the mountain! I was up and
dressed. Had a power bar and b vitamin for breakfast while I set up the spotting scope. I could only find one goat and couldn't determine
what exactly it was.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1239817_10153161090430387_608911685_n.jpg

So I geared up and made my ascent. Made it through my trail I cut in short order. I was now at the bottom of the hill. So I started my
way up. From below I knew it was going to be steep and knarly. I also though I had a route picked out... that constantly changed as I went.
I had to cross a creek. Being early in the day I didn't really want to compromise my dry feet early on. So I carefully made my way across and
made it with little problems. As I made my way up out of the creek valley, I slipped on the wet grass and ended up smashing my ankle.

A few years ago I rolled my ankle playing ball hockey. Took a week off, thinking it was going to be all good and went out to play again. Rolled
it once again. It gets sore every once in awhile, but when I was out on August long, I had rolled it again.

So this time I had it all doctored up. So it was a little tender, but not too bad. So I kept on kepting on.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1175139_10153161091515387_154900411_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/541744_10153161092365387_1552725494_n.jpg

[Caribou_lou]

Seeing that stroganoff made my stomach turn! I had a bad experience with it one hunt. Great thread. Keep pressing. Hides should be growing in nice with the cooler weather.

[warnniklz]

https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/946375_10153161091685387_777832116_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555561_10153161091900387_979718326_n.jpg

It was basically all spiderman work. Scalling rock walls and using what shrubs I could to haul myself up. Was taking it one step at a time.
Had a few breaks that were a little better for climbing.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559790_10153161092385387_390658439_n.jpg

Started to get into some thick shrubs. Also started to find some piles of deer pooh. Deer pooh also meant some low game trails.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234427_10153161092815387_805370329_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1175008_10153161093325387_1771480498_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

Seeing that stroganoff made my stomach turn! I had a bad experience with it one hunt. Great thread. Keep pressing. Hides should be growing in nice with the cooler weather.

The stroganoff isn't my favourite... but when I'm hunting... I can eat almost anything.

[warnniklz]

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1235254_10153161089325387_1873175301_n.jpg

I was at a bit of a dead end... but I ended up finding my way through some thick shit. I was finally 3/4s of the way to the ridge I wanted
to get over. Then I ran into my worst fear... the slot I wanted to go up was impassable.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1184761_10153160999195387_1134868373_n.jpg

I tried going up the green patch. It was about 30 feet up the ledge.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1185961_10153160999640387_136886680_n.jpg

I was using the shrubs to haul myself up. I made it about 3 feet off the ground and lost my footing.
I smashed my knee and ended up sliding down. Flexed my knee a little and walked around... knee
seemed alright. So I went again... once again I didn't make it that far up and lost my footing again.
Once again banged my knee and slid down. This time as I slid down I bumped my elbow. What was
worse is I bumped my right nut. Not hard... but you know that little flick that hurts more than a kick.
It was one of those.

So I retreated. Took a seat and caught my wind. Had a cliff bar and analyzed the wall I hit. To the left
was shear rock wall. I tried to the right. But if I did slip once again... it was a lot longer fall than 30 feet.

Figuring a goat wasn't worth it that bad, I made my way back down the mountain with little excitement.
Just had to use shrubs to repel down some spots. Now it's back to the drawing board on trying to get
to that spot.

I had to set up the spotting scope one more time. Sure enough there was this guy hanging out quite
a ways away from the other goats.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1175607_10153161093280387_1300395578_n.jpg

I've also since upgraded my pack to the eberlestock dragonfly J107. What a dream to pack around. Only thing is it pinches the side boob
a little when swinging a machete or hatchet. Nothing too bad though

[decker9]

One of my favorite books! Should read it again one these days.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/webkit-fake-url://3A30FDC8-FEC2-448B-A926-5E8ED628927F/imagejpeg


Keep up the hard work, good huntin and photos!! It'l pay off! Good luck!

[IslandmanDan]

Love it....cant wait to get out there! Good luck man,,,IMD

[Rackmastr]

Keep it up man! Great pics and some pretty sweet lookin country you're in.

[coach]

Awesome thread again this season. Keep it up. Looking forward to seeing you close the deal on a nice billy.

[warnniklz]

So skimming through the regs...

My draw is for a management unit in 6-X. Now in the regs it says 6-X is open season for goats from aug1 - nov 15. Just realised I have a lot more open season in my management unit(not limited to sub unit) than I thought... until Nov 15th.

So my LEH just gives me a longer season in my sub unit... at least that's how I read the regs.

[Krico]

Anywhere there's LEH, there's no open season. You can hunt one of the open areas, during the regular season and/or hunt in your LEH draw sub unit during the date specified on your authorization, which I'm guessing runs until Feb 28.
Your LEH authorization does not just extend dates. Without it, you cannot hunt in the particular sub zone at all.

[Krico]

Anywhere there's LEH, there's no open season. You can hunt one of the open areas, during the regular season and/or hunt in your LEH draw sub unit during the date specified on your authorization, which I'm guessing runs until Feb 28.
Your LEH authorization does not just extend dates. Without it, you cannot hunt in the particular sub zone at all.

I don't remember the exact wording but the regs will state something about portions of the area being on LEH auth only and to see maps XYZ...

[BCbillies]

So skimming through the regs...

My draw is for a management unit in 6-X. Now in the regs it says 6-X is open season for goats from aug1 - nov 15. Just realised I have a lot more open season in my management unit(not limited to sub unit) than I thought... until Nov 15th.

So my LEH just gives me a longer season in my sub unit... at least that's how I read the regs.

Yup . . . the LEH zones generally provides you with better access (especially in the winter) and the long season. The other areas within the general MU offer some quality goat hunting until mid November . . . thinking about taking a week off myself.

[warnniklz]

Anywhere there's LEH, there's no open season. You can hunt one of the open areas, during the regular season and/or hunt in your LEH draw sub unit during the date specified on your authorization, which I'm guessing runs until Feb 28.
Your LEH authorization does not just extend dates. Without it, you cannot hunt in the particular sub zone at all.

I don't remember the exact wording but the regs will state something about portions of the area being on LEH auth only and to see maps XYZ...

Ahhh... I had my hopes up. See special area map FX. It's shaded where it's LEH only.

Oh well there's plenty of other open areas.

[treehugger]

This is a great read... Can't wait to see how it continues to unfold! I was in stitches reading about your nut incident... not at your expense, I've been there too but never on a goat hunt. Good call descending... no matter how many sat phones and GPSs you have that solo stuff can get hairy

[Trekker]

Really enjoying this thread, hope to chase goats soon, maybe next year!.. good luck.

[Mik]

Fantastic photos. You seem determined enough to get one. Good luck, great hunting and i sure hope your successful.

[warnniklz]

Didn't have a chance to get out really hunting this weekend. But managed a day to get out and check another spot out.

The trailhead was suppose to be in a certain area and marked by orange flag tape. Pulled in and couldn't find the trailhead. I started to make like safe sex and pull out. On my way out I spotted some orange flagging tape. So I started my way in through an overgrown trail.

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1174687_10153192245040387_1756257525_n.jpg

The trail was marked pretty well and ended up opening up pretty well. However the trail went up and hooked in the opposite direction I wanted to go.

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1238747_10153192295040387_799130654_n.jpg

I realised then that I wasn't on the trail. So I started up the ridge. The ridge took me to a base of a small bluff. I knew there was a creek to the north of me, so I went along the base of the bluff. I ended up cutting across the trail I wanted.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1235230_10153192294560387_1044549821_n.jpg

I could tell the trail use to be marked... however most of the flagging tape has fallen off. The trail was easy going and pretty obvious. About two thirds of the way to the base of the mountain, it started to get a little more technical.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1005802_10153192297130387_1268927517_n.jpg

There was a bunch of blow downs. Talking to some campers, they figure the blow downs happened over the winter or in the spring. Their friends had hiked the same trail last summer and hadn't come across blown down trees.

So it was under, over, around, across and through the blow downs. I wasn't exactly sure where the trail came out on the other end. But I did end up picking it up again. On the far side the trail wasn't marked and the blueberries had grown over pretty thick.

So I ended up stocking the gullet with berries.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1238177_10153192244780387_143010461_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

The trail was a little slow going after the blow downs because of the trail not being marked very well and being grown over.

I made it to the base of the mountain just before dark.
https://sphotos-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1239543_10153189540660387_1418556890_n.jpg

On my way out, I kept losing the trail. I ended losing the trail for good as I was making my way through the blueberry patch. I ended up with the choice of doubling all the way back to the base of the mountain and trying the trail again. Second choice was following a knarly gully down to the creek and following that out... but past experience told me that following creeks aren't the best idea. Third option was going over the top and down some open timber on the other side of the mountain.

So up and over I went. Made my way down the mountain. Ended up making my way out and was a whopping 3 minutes walk back to the vehicle.

Ended up spotting some nannies, kids and an immature goat(small face and horns shorter than it's ears). I also spotted a small red fox with some nice looking guard hairs.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1150863_10153189542365387_1382575723_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

Well the weather has cooled down and it's raining. On my way home from work today, had to take a peek at my usual spot. Last day before the serious trip.
Only had my binos with me, but I was able to pick out 9 goats. I think this cool weather has brought them back over from the north side of the mountain.

Friday my buddy will be in Prince George and suppose to arrive here in Terrace around 1pm this coming Saturday. He has to head back earlier than we had planned(something about his mom's b-day and hard labour). But we should get a solid 5 days of hunting in(as long as we don't get fogged in), but hope it only takes a couple days to get our goats.

[warnniklz]

Buddy should be arriving at my place around 1pm tomorrow. He hasn't had a chance to sight in his rifle properly, so he'll be packing Selena(my 30_06).

He's been doing quite a bit of hiking in the last 2 years(spent most part of a year backpacking in New Zeland). Though he's done his fair share of hiking, he hasn't been on a hunting expedition yet. Last night we were on the phone discussing gear... there was a lot of "you don't need that" coming from me. This is his first real hunting expedition, and if I can get him onto a goat it'll be his second animal he's taken.

Last weekend he was hiking the Sugar Bowl near Prince George. Had a major allergic reaction to nuts (so no broke back mountain stuff going on during this trip). According to doctors he's lucky to be alive... so an eppy pen will be in his kit. I promised his mother that I'd bring him home alive... but no promises on one piece.

The weather isn't suppose to clear up until Wednesday... but it's off of the Skeena River... so who the eff really knows. We're expecting a lot of wet shit.

Knocking down a couple bone beer and going over gear... so hopefully next week there'll be some dead goats on this thread.

[Amphibious]

Sugar Bowl/Raven Lake is a nice little afternooner. Good Place to find grizzle bhar. Took a few dates to that Cabin for the weekend :)

Once you knock down a billy you won't be allowed to drink that weak, pale, roadhunter brew any more. Have to find some sterner stuff!

Good Luck!

[BCbillies]

Nothing like breaking your buddy in with a fall coastal goat hunt . . . should be entertaining. Tell him to bring the video camera as you'll want to catch the moment as he breaks through the thick stuff with a goat on his back throwing out colourful language questioning why he signed up for this expedition! I'll be up there in three weeks doing the same thing with a friend. :)

[warnniklz]

Once you knock down a billy you won't be allowed to drink that weak, pale, roadhunter brew any more. Have to find some sterner stuff!
Good Luck!

Actually bought my first mickey ever last night... Jack Daniels will be there to celebrate(fingers crossed)

[Trekker]

good luck look forward to the report

[decker9]

Actually bought my first mickey ever last night... Jack Daniels will be there to celebrate(fingers crossed)
I always pack over proof rum, 151, because you only need half as much! Lol. It's very good in a hot tea on a wind and side ways rainy kinda night. Cheers!

[decker9]

Buddy should be arriving at my place around 1pm tomorrow. He hasn't had a chance to sight in his rifle properly, so he'll be packing Selena(my 30_06).

He's been doing quite a bit of hiking in the last 2 years(spent most part of a year backpacking in New Zeland). Though he's done his fair share of hiking, he hasn't been on a hunting expedition yet. Last night we were on the phone discussing gear... there was a lot of "you don't need that" coming from me. This is his first real hunting expedition, and if I can get him onto a goat it'll be his second animal he's taken.

Last weekend he was hiking the Sugar Bowl near Prince George. Had a major allergic reaction to nuts (so no broke back mountain stuff going on during this trip). According to doctors he's lucky to be alive... so an eppy pen will be in his kit. I promised his mother that I'd bring him home alive... but no promises on one piece.

The weather isn't suppose to clear up until Wednesday... but it's off of the Skeena River... so who the eff really knows. We're expecting a lot of wet shit.

Knocking down a couple bone beer and going over gear... so hopefully next week there'll be some dead goats on this thread.
Looking forward to reading about it, good luck!!

[180grainer]

There was another thread where someone wanted me to let them know how nosler custom ammo worked out of my 6.5x55. Couldn't find the thread, so I'll toss it up here and maybe they'll find it here.

Anyways... I've always had troubles with getting decent loads with my Parker Hale 1100 6.5x55. Found federal power shok(blue box) ammo to be the most accurate. I've also been shooting hornady superformance for game. Took my deer last fall with it. The 140 grain SST bullet blew apart on me... still did the job, but wasn't impressed really. Found a box of nosler trophy grade ammo with 140 grain accubonds loaded up.

Now... I haven't had the rifle at the range seriously in a month or two. I picked up 2 boxes Sellier and Bellot 140 grain full metal jackets to punch some paper.

https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1175305_10153125936570387_1255016506_n.jpg

I was told by someone they use it at 1000 yard shoots and have won competitions...

So... get everything set up at the range. Put three 3 shot groups at a 100 yards. 1st shot high and left, 2nd way off to the right and 3rd a little left of centre. Four, five and six tightened up a little more... maybe first 3 were shooter error and next 3 I was settling down?... Seven, eight and nine were in the same class as 4 5 and 6.
https://sphotos-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1157650_10153125950435387_69616365_n.jpg

Next... out to 200 yards. 1 and 3 were alright grouping wise, while 2 was out to lunch. 5 and 6 were touching while once again... 4 was out to lunch. Seven, eight and nine were lousy as well.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1148826_10153125951710387_1448331870_n.jpg

What I haven't told you is, I had my rifle spit some burning powder a couple of times into my upper lip. Could smell burning metal and smoke was pouring out from the side of my bolt. Now on their website, they claim muzzle velocity is 787 metres per second. Which translates to roughly 2581 feet per second. Not really a hot load. So I was wondering if it was maybe my firing pin, head spacing or maybe lousy primers. Still don't know really.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1174533_10153125941435387_980069663_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1184836_10153125947565387_956419431_n.jpg

Blew through two primers(sorry for the shitty second picture), and had a few primers that raised up around the firing pin. Only one round was a little tight to open the bolt, and the primer looked fine on that one.

It looks like the number three shell front is cratered. You're most likely running high pressure. There's some thing wrong a)with the ammo if the other ammo bought was ok, or b) your gun.

[warnniklz]

It looks like the number three shell front is cratered. You're most likely running high pressure. There's some thing wrong a)with the ammo if the other ammo bought was ok, or b) your gun.

I think it's the ammo. I've ran federal, hornady and nosler ammo with no problems. But I have talked to another guy that says it's my firing pin, but it should be fine if I'm not having problems with other ammo.

[Rackem]

Good hunting, looking forward to pics and story!!

[warnniklz]

Back to the hunt...

My buddy (we'll call him Tranquilizer...) Arrived at 1pm last Saturday.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/524073_10153264083085387_891269992_n.jpg

We quickly went over our gear. Then we bailed. Like I said earlier, this is Tranquilizer's first hunting expedition but not his first time in the mountains. So I took him to a river that is our western boundary. We took a look at some mud flats to see if there were any fresh bear tracks. There wasn't. So we headed back east a little ways to my spot I check out for goats. We pull in and get our binos out to scan the ridge top.

Tranquilizer asked "so how do you spot goats?".

They way I've learned to do it is to, look where I think they should be then somewhere completely different. But Tranquilizer hasn't really done any reading about goat behavior and habitat that I know of. But sure enough right away he spotted goats. Right on! Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

We spotted 3 goats and then took off to where we were going to park and hike in. By this time it was 3ish. My though was it was only an hour to a waterfall, then it's probably only another hour/hour and half up to where I wanted to camp.

So off we go.


https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1186073_10153275516345387_446471329_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1231151_10153275516020387_998226082_n.jpg

Tranquilizer liked the tree to my right in the picture
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1233981_10153275516240387_1708662856_n.jpg

Then I kind of fell in love with it as well

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/558910_10153275516960387_43303282_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

We ended up making it up to the falls in fairly short order.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1240167_10153275517215387_2027977326_n.jpg

However with the fog moving in and it still being later in the day, we would be fighting darkness a little going up. From the base of the falls in the picture above, I hadn't had a chance to get past. So we decided to go up the north side of the falls as there was somewhat of a trail. But first we had to cross a creek.
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734400_10153275518235387_1924879471_n.jpg

And this is where I dubbed the trip "The Prune Toe Expedition"
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/r270/1374930_10153275518875387_433099057_n.jpg

She was a little cold
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/r270/563598_10153275518425387_25936162_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/r270/1235162_10153275518895387_1975205177_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

After the creek crossing, we were basically blazing our own trail. But kept coming upon somewhat of a trail and flagging tape.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1374240_10153275519000387_2076397726_n.jpg

The trail was a lot of bushwhacking and straight up the hillside. The hour/hour and a half trip up the waterfall was much longer than anticipated. Darkness was setting in. Along with that came the cold and we were already soaking wet. So we set up camp for the night.

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https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1378201_10153279389180387_495901813_n.jpg

So we camped in the middle of the trail on a stupid hill. The pictures don't do it justice, but once in the tent it was rather comfortable.

Woke up in the morning and continued the climb. As we made the climb we decided we weren't coming down this way. A fellow member told me a way to go up the south side.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734400_10153275521260387_641816204_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234593_10153275522890387_2134055252_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/r270/1376982_10153275523745387_1892694655_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/r270/1376316_10153275524710387_99941085_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551173_10153275525190387_1082154426_n.jpg

So after 2 hours of hiking, we finally made it to where we wanted to camp.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1238802_10153275526660387_1823525160_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/9707_10153275527895387_963024253_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

So we set up camp and were getting hungry.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1013833_10153275527590387_1410663950_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/993418_10153275528030387_1928682297_n.jpg

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[coach]

Great stuff! One of the best threads ever on HBC. Keep it coming. Awesome looking spot to camp, BTW.

[warnniklz]

So I set up my spotting scope and was putting the finishing touches on camp. Tranquilizer was under the siltarp... finished his hot kimchi he started glassing. Right away I hear "goats".

I grab my binos and start scanning. Tranquilizer was trying to explain to me where he saw them. Turns out I was looking closer than what he was trying to explain. It was only early afternoon. I told him we were going to make a play. Only thing I knew was they were on the south side of the lake. We crossed the out flow creek and worked along the rocky lakeshore. We went through a couple draws. Tranquilizer thought we were getting close. So I stripped off my pack(he didn't have his). As I was doing so I noticed goats on the north side of the lake. We kept note of them and kept moving as we were getting closer to our other goats.

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1231200_10153275528535387_571388896_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1376454_10153275529160387_631345934_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602043_10153275529460387_1236473768_n.jpg



We peeked over the first ridge... nothing. Tranquilizer figured they'd be over the next, then the next, then the next. About the 6th ridge Tranquilizer peeked over... nothing! As I slowly went to go over the ridge I looked around a protrusion, I noticed a goat on the bluff. I turned to Tranquilizer, "goat" I whispered. I could see he started to get a little excited. He said there should be one lower as well.

So I crept over the ridge, sure enough there's another. Glassed them a bit closer. The goat on the bluff turned into two goats. Nanny and a kid. So now the focus turns to the lower/closer goat. 212 yards in the range finder. The goat wouldn't turn it's head, so I couldn't get a positive sexual ID on it. Finally it turned and was an obvious nanny.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1016498_10153275531680387_1469265355_n.jpg

We watched them head up a gully. So we watched the goats on the north side of the lake for a bit. That night we seen a total of 12 goats. There was one above a bunch of brush all alone from what we could see. I figured it was a billy. We wouldn't have time to make a play on any of them. But we figured we would fully check out the area to see what else was happening. We figured a plan may be to move camp to the west end of the lake and then make a trip up the glacier and up to the saddle so we could look at 4 different bowls.

As we were scouting the area, we noticed grizzly and goat shit everywhere.

[warnniklz]

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1376602_10153275530040387_918599134_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1231226_10153275530985387_485404032_n.jpg

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https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1374880_10153275531265387_673392997_n.jpg

This is where we were thinking of going to check the other bowls... didn't happen.
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1377464_10153275531390387_829298493_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

By now we were soaked and it was starting to get dark. So we went back and grabbed my pack and made our way back to camp. We dried off had some dinner and hit the sack.

In the morning, it was clear to the east and it was cold. To the west it was dark and cloudy.

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1374035_10153275531870387_67058675_n.jpg

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We got up and put our wet gear on. We tried to circle the lake on the north side. It was nothing but brush and slow going. We decided that the south side of the lake would be better. So back we go. As we're about to cross the outflow creek, I catch something out of the corner of my eye. Binos come up. And up behind camp, there was a goat standing there. Kept scanning and sure enough there was a nanny and kid laying to the west of it. But the other I was unsure of.

So we decided to make a play. We worked our way up some bear trails. Finally we were 206 yards. I told Tranquilizer to use his pack as a rest on the rock and don't shoot until I say so. I set up the spotting scope and got behind it. Started watching. I was still unsure of a billy or nanny. after half hour, it turned and took a step. Obvious tits on it.

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/66839_10153275535105387_1874604074_n.jpg

[The Hermit]

You have inspired me to get a decent camera and start taking some pictures. Enjoying the thread again. BTW - I never thanked you for the DVD!! Thanks!

[warnniklz]

You have inspired me to get a decent camera and start taking some pictures. Enjoying the thread again. BTW - I never thanked you for the DVD!! Thanks!

No problem... it's just an iphone taking the pictures. We were thinking about taking the 7D up... but we're thankfull we didn't.

[warnniklz]

So we decided to hit up our old plan of circling the lake and trying the goats on the north side. By this time it started to get colder and was raining. We set up the spotting scope, started glassing and boiled up some water and made a hot emergen-c. I wasn't really paying attention. We were soaked, cold and sleet was coming down hard. Tranquilizer was asking about what the weather would do to the goats behavior. I told him they'd just be doing their thing. So I turned around and right away spotted a goat. Then another and another. Lots of nannies paired up with kids. Then two more came off a ledge. Another nanny and kid.

But hold the phone!

I spotted another lone goat up on a bluff. Got behind the spotting scope. I was watching it the best I could through the sleet and fog. All of a sudden I got the albino kiwis in the eyes. BINGO!

I looked at Tranquilizer.

"He's a billy. But he's young, still has a short dished face. He's probably only 7 or 8 inches in the horns" I said.

His reply was "I came for the adventure. We can make a play on him. If we get him great, I just want the meat if possible. I'm over being soaked and cold, but if I go home empty handed I'm still happy".

Good enough for me. We studied the terrain and where he was to figure out a game plan. As we were making our approach the nannies and kids started to make their way up higher. The billy was now with another goat and crossed to the far side of a waterfall we were working up.

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/r270/1240314_10153275534235387_364547146_n.jpg

We crossed the waterfall and made a desperation play of going straight up from below them. We got behind a big rock and peeked around it, up to the goats. I tried to range them but I ended up breaking it between making a hot drink and climbing. I was looking at them trying to figure out our next move. The goats were very aware of us.

Then I hear "I can make that shot".

I looked at Tranquilizer and then back to the goats.

"What the hell" I thought. "ok move those rocks, put your pack on the big one for a rest" as I was setting up the spotting scope on another rock.

Tranquilizer was getting a little excited "I want to take the shot before they move".

"They feel safe, we have time" I told him. "line up the shot but don't touch the trigger until I tell you".

So he unstrapped Selena my weatherby vanguard 30_06 from his pack and lined up. I was watching the goats through the scope. Sleet was still coming down hard and trying to watch them was tough. Trying to see them through the sleet and my body heat kept fogging up the eyepiece on my spotter.

Finally I got the green light from the goats.

"Ok, DON'T touch the trigger yet. Not until I tell you. Turn the safety off. You're going to take the goat on the left"

I looked over at tranquilizer and he gave me the nod. "Settle in and get steady" I told him. The goat was standing face on looking right down at us. "Put the crosshairs right on his nose, when he looks at the other goat let one fly".

All of a sudden the goat turned his head and Selena sang. A 165 grain GMX was cruising through the air.

[coach]

And then??? You're frikin' killin' us here! :-D:-D:-D

Great job, keep it coming!

[warnniklz]

Through the spotter I seen the goat drop his right shoulder. I heard Tranquilizer cycle the action.

"Crosshairs on the left shoulder and hit him again" I said. I didn't hear it but felt the concussion of the rifle's sweet Georgia brown.

Through the spotter I could see a solid impact on the goat. "Hold on! Just watch him" I said.

The goat staggered, then reared up and jumped off the bluff. It only went down one ledge.

"He's down!" High fives!

So now we got to get to him...

We pick our way up through the alders and brush. Then it was out onto the granite waterfall, up 5 feet then out onto the ledge. Still not 100% sure how we got out onto the ledge. But we managed. Got some pictures of the rookie hunters second ever big game animal.

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1374954_10153275535370387_1498827264_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/r270/1237045_10153275536175387_1075126749_n.jpg

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We measured him at 8" long and I counted 4 annuli (I'm no expert at that part, but I figure he was 3 or 4)

So I started in on the caping process. It was tricky on the ledge for sure. Then magical words came from Tranquilizer's mouth.

"I'm here for the meat. I just want a euro mount and a throw like they do with sheep"

Awesome, I took the head off and kicked the rest off the ledge. put the skull in the pack and climbed down to the carcass. We skinned and deboned it and tossed everything into game bags. We had to make some quick work of it.

The first shot was in the shoulder and we recovered the bullet.
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1374752_10153279120420387_1555813688_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1378656_10153279122475387_1083539630_n.jpg

[coach]

Awesome stuff! Well done!

[warnniklz]

The second shot went through his chest and came out just in in front of the back right leg. Destroying everything in between.

We packed everything up and headed back to camp.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/11494_10153275537140387_121102440_n.jpg

We thought about bailing for the truck that night. Then thought we could have a hot meal for dinner, then hot breakfast and take our time getting out.

So we submerged the hide and meat in the creek to keep the critters away. Now I said there'd be no broke back on this trip... but...

We were soaked and cold by now so there was no drying off outside. We stripped off our gear and had a smallest penis contest... we both lost and we both won...
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1236381_10153275275045387_1009558838_n.jpg

Jack Daniels brought over some fireball to celebrate.
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1236739_10153275538055387_1025567501_n.jpg

We bullshitted the night away and passed out.

[warnniklz]

We had decided to put all our eggs in one basket... we'd go down the south side of the waterfall instead of the north.

We woke up at daylight to a cool clear morning. Tranquilizer went over to the creek to get some water. When he came back he said all the meat and skull were gone(the skull was in a game bag with some meat). I thought he was shittin me... but Tranquilizer can't tell a lie to save his life. I thought eff that and went to take a look.

Sure enough in the creek, only the hide was there. Tranquilizer was wondering how 3 bags of meat could float away. I was wondering the same. He went across the creek and we started scanning the edges to see if something was caught up somewhere.

Things weren't making sense to me. I spotted something white on the far side of the creek. I walked Tranquilizer in to it. It was a game bag. Sure enough a trail of scraps of meat was leading into the thick brush. We followed it for as far as we could until we lost the trail.

A grizzly in thick brush, in the fog on a kill did not sound like a happy place to me. Disappointed we broke camp, loaded the hide and gear into our packs and started our way back down.

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1377384_10153275537895387_1501310365_n.jpg

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It was pretty easy going for the first little while. Then we were into alders on a steep slope, down gullies and creeks. It was some serious monkey business. We just knew we weren't going back up. We came out on a granite slope. We could see the trail at the base of the falls. We knew when we hit that it'd be home free and easy going to the truck.

Tranquilizer just said "where grass grows, we can go"

Good enough for me. We carefully made our way along a 4 inch ledge and down some cracks. Then we ran out of footing. We decided that we'd lower packs down. So off with the packs. Tranquilizer carefully made his way down barely holding onto a crack. He slid a couple feet then got his footing back on a crack. He shuffled over onto a little bit bigger of a ledge behind a little 2 foot drop. He scouted out the edge of a granite. He told me that there was a 20 foot drop off, then a 10 foot drop onto some rocks. We could probably lower ourselves down off the ledge.

So I pulled out some paracord from my pack, tied them up and lowered them to Tranquilizer. Then I started to scurry down the same route Tranquilizer went down. I ended up losing my footing and started to slide. I started to pick up speed. I seen Tranquilizer's hand reach out. I spotted it and grabbed it. I felt him pulling me slightly to my left. I felt him starting to slide and I looked up at him. I seen he was on one foot. So instead of both of us going over... I let go.

[warnniklz]

I kept sliding, and went over the edge. I spotted my landing. It was some rocks. Went over feet first. When I came down I and started to feel the rocks under my feet, I started to bend my knees. Expecting some rocks following me over, I tucked and rolled off to the side.

All I could hear from up top was "OH F*CK OH F*CK!".

I just yelled back up "I'm allright"

Still laying on the ground, adrenaline pumping I looked up to Tranquilizer looking down at me. I got up, toes wiggled, fingers worked. No tingling sensation anywhere. No massive blood coming out of anywhere, didn't hit my head. Just really scarped up hands and tore my Sitka pants.

Tranquilizer lowered the packs to me, carefully lowered himself down. We geared up again and made our way back to the truck.

I think Tranquilizer grabbing my hand slowed me down enough to spot my landing and swung me over just enough so I didn't go over a bigger ledge.

When we got back to the truck, I just turned to the mountain and said "F*ck you bitch... can't destroy me!"

[warnniklz]

Now I still gotta get out for my own goat.

[kilometers]

Good job guys. Damn bears ruining a good hunt.

[Coop]

Awesome story!!! Sorry to hear of the loss but at least you have the pics and the memories. Thanks for sharing.

[Rackem]

Excellent story telling, amazing pics, god damn the bear! On our sheep hunt, there was grizzly sign everywhere, where they had excavated the arctic ground squirrels...

[d6dan]

Awesome hunt Goat Roper:wink:, friggin bears. Too bad about his horns, but better to play it safe than not. man I miss goat hunting. Thanks for the excellent story and pics and congrats to your buddy.

[Krico]

Tough luck on the skull and meat, but not worth risking your life trying to retrieve it.
Good job guys, congrats!

[coach]

Great thread so far! Best of luck on getting your own goat. Sorry to hear about the grizzly issues. Who knows? That bear may not have chewed on the skull. Maybe you'll find it some other time. That would make quite the story.

[Rob Chipman]

Excellent story!

[decker9]

Awesome stuff right here warn!! That's how great memories are made! Crappy deal about the bear, glad it only got your guy's goat tho! Your a great story teller, always look forward to your next wright up!! Good luck on your goat! Can't wait to read about it, reading goat story's are my all time fav, cheers!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I had some catching up to do on this thread. Sure glad I did!!

Pure will and determination! Well done!

A goat hunter is born....no...a goat hunter has evolved!

Since there was no sheep hunt this year, a Jan/Feb goat hunt is in the cards. Thanks for the inspiration!

Congrats!! (Damn bear)

SSS

[BCbillies]

Thanks for the great story and photos. Has all the elements of a memorable goat hunt including a few "wow . . . that was close" cheek puckering moments. Was only a matter of time and you were bringing out a goat . . . the great part is you get to rest up and go back out for yours now!

[sherpa-Al]

Great story. You have a unique way of telling the tale that makes the reader feel like he is right there with you, awesome. Too bad about the thieving dirtbag grizz, I've been on the receiving end of that situation as well, sucks. I guess you didn't find the rope I hung on the north side of the granite bluff, glad to hear you're not too banged up.

Al

[warnniklz]

Awesome story!!! Sorry to hear of the loss but at least you have the pics and the memories. Thanks for sharing.

I think I'll have to get a framed picture for Tranquilizer so he at least has something hanging on the wall


Excellent story telling, amazing pics, god damn the bear! On our sheep hunt, there was grizzly sign everywhere, where they had excavated the arctic ground squirrels...

I thought we would have at least seen the bear with all the sign everywhere. I figured since we hadn't seen any they had moved through the valley up higher.


Awesome hunt Goat Roper:wink:, friggin bears. Too bad about his horns, but better to play it safe than not. man I miss goat hunting. Thanks for the excellent story and pics and congrats to your buddy.

I felt a little bad for him losing everything... sent him home with what little deer meat I had left to keep his Miss Lady happy.


Tough luck on the skull and meat, but not worth risking your life trying to retrieve it.
Good job guys, congrats!

I figured I'd run away to run another day


Great thread so far! Best of luck on getting your own goat. Sorry to hear about the grizzly issues. Who knows? That bear may not have chewed on the skull. Maybe you'll find it some other time. That would make quite the story.

I may have to go back up to take a look for the skull. But there'll probably be snow the next chance I get up there.


Awesome stuff right here warn!! That's how great memories are made! Crappy deal about the bear, glad it only got your guy's goat tho! Your a great story teller, always look forward to your next wright up!! Good luck on your goat! Can't wait to read about it, reading goat story's are my all time fav, cheers!

The bear probably sniffed our tent and realized it reeked so moved onto the creek. At least it was a bear and everything hadn't floated down the creek.



I had some catching up to do on this thread. Sure glad I did!!

Pure will and determination! Well done!

A goat hunter is born....no...a goat hunter has evolved!

Since there was no sheep hunt this year, a Jan/Feb goat hunt is in the cards. Thanks for the inspiration!

Congrats!! (Damn bear)

SSS

Starting June 2012 I didn't really know anything about goat hunting. Now reading back it's something else to see how much I have learned.


Thanks for the great story and photos. Has all the elements of a memorable goat hunt including a few "wow . . . that was close" cheek puckering moments. Was only a matter of time and you were bringing out a goat . . . the great part is you get to rest up and go back out for yours now!

I was telling Tranquilizer as we were on our way back to camp with the goat, that there's always something that goes a little sideways on a goat hunt. Nothing really weird had happened to that point. We got a double dose. In 2 weekends we both had close calls.


Great story. You have a unique way of telling the tale that makes the reader feel like he is right there with you, awesome. Too bad about the thieving dirtbag grizz, I've been on the receiving end of that situation as well, sucks. I guess you didn't find the rope I hung on the north side of the granite bluff, glad to hear you're not too banged up.

Al

We didn't find the rope. May have missed it. I'll have to go and look for it and if it's not there I'll have to string another up.

[5.56 Medic]

Wow! Awesome storey and pics! Thanks for taking the time to post. That sounds like a great hunt, minus the meat loss. I love the process and the adventure of the hunt almost more than getting the actual animal. The journey in life is usually better than the destination.

[warnniklz]

well... I'm still not done.

On my home from work today. Had to make a pit stop into my observation post. With a dusting of snow on the ridge I wanted to see what the goats were up to.
https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/734102_10153299140990387_1283505586_n.jpg

Sure enough... right away with the naked eye I spotted some goats the lowest I've seen them since I've been watching the area(juneish). Couple of nannies and kids. They were only about a third of the way up.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/598936_10153299289380387_2038793868_n.jpg

Then up top this guy/gal was hanging out all alone. I'm pretty sure it's a billy, but with the rain I couldn't make tits or dicks of it.
https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1382908_10153299165470387_1802593390_n.jpg

[3006pg]

thanks for the good read looks like you had a blast ! darn grizzlies !

[warnniklz]

Well... It'll be close but I'm moving in the middle of November. So I have 2 weekends left. Checked my spot today. Only spotted 2 goats on a cliff I'm not sure if I can get to. Also spotted 1 way up high in another spot. Should be able to get to him/her... but I'm not sure if it was a nanny or billy, we'll see what happens...

here's a pic of the one goat
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1392937_10153398622150387_236758811_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

I think mother nature just doesn't want me to get a goat. Checked the weather for the weekend, it looked good on weather network. On my way out on Saturday it was foggy. But I went and continued working on my trail up the hill. Marked my trail up to the 400 meter elevation and ran out of flagging tape. I couldn't see very far, so I figured if I got near goats they'd be gone before I ever seen them. So I headed back down the hill.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1422466_10153419854810387_36283891_n.jpg

As I got back down, I went and checked out another spot I've been kind of keeping my eye on. I spotted one goat still up pretty high and then blasted on home. As soon as I crossed my eastern boundary, it was crystal blue sky.

Today I kind of slept in so I was contemplating on if I should go out or not. But it was a nice blue sky out and I'd hate myself for not going out. So I headed out. I stopped to check the one spot I've been keeping an eye on. Right away I picked out a nanny working her way down the mountain. I watched her until she disappeared. Then I blasted off to my go to spot. Sure as shit it was foggy there. The mountains I guess have been holding it there. So I decided to maybe go back to where I seen the nanny headed down. I thought it'd be a quick jaunt to the base of the mountain. I can see why I didn't go through in the summer. I spotted one goat down lower, I was pretty sure it was a nanny but anyways. I was crashing through the alders and devils club, the low goat disappeared. However I spotted a goat up high. As I was crashing through I stopped to take a look at him and he was looking down at me. I carried on and then I seen the high goat headed up higher. I got to the base and being later in the day I turned around and crashed my way out.

I did find some flagging tape and somewhat of a trail, but it's pretty overgrown with alders now. Wouldn't be hard for someone to clear it out.

Still holding fog today
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1424446_10153424175250387_2124163694_n.jpg

[Rhyno]

I hope you have some better glassing conditions next weekend! You deserve a goat , good luck man.

[warnniklz]

Well it started snowing today. Guess that's why the goats were moving down low. Should be good this weekend.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1463199_10153427103690387_1672121141_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1424429_10153429634920387_1936930194_n.jpg

[NorBC]

sunday is the day!

[kennyj]

Awesome goat adventure!!! Thanks for sharing your great photos and story. Theres a big billy out there with your name on him.
kenny

[warnniklz]

What kind of noise do goats make?

Thought I heard one that sounded like someone was playing with a baby hoochie mama elk call... or it may have been another critter...

[LBM]

What kind of noise do goats make?

Thought I heard one that sounded like someone was playing with a baby hoochie mama elk call... or it may have been another critter...
Its hard to describe could be what you heard, kind of a grunty, bleaty, snorty sound can make a similar sound with a deer grunt tube.

[warnniklz]

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1393918_10153452700395387_360422362_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74924_10153452701055387_1116791065_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1462840_10153452701585387_1962459058_n.jpg

How the frick did I get this little doozie in my leg?
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1425541_10153452701355387_1118081304_n.jpg

[sherpa-Al]

What kind of noise do goats make?

Thought I heard one that sounded like someone was playing with a baby hoochie mama elk call... or it may have been another critter...

Kind of a soft thump, like a pillow hitting a big rock.

[Rhyno]

Your not going to put that tooth brush back in your mouth are you?:-D

[warnniklz]

Your not going to put that tooth brush back in your mouth are you?:-D

no... that ones for getting devils club out of my taint LOL

[warnniklz]

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1426607_10153456529140387_277123753_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1422512_10153456528740387_763822980_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1450946_10153456529435387_913412993_n.jpg

[BCbillies]

Your PM box is full . . . looking forward to the read tomorrow. :)

[warnniklz]

Your PM box is full . . . looking forward to the read tomorrow. :)

cleared......

[warnniklz]

I was going to wait until later to post... but I'm done waiting.

So I geared up for a light hike to check and area I haven't really been in, but have been keeping my eye on. A couple members on here both basically said "go here". One was even kind enough to pin point on a map the exact spot I should look.

So spotting scope, rifle, knife, couple granola bars and a bottle of Gatorade, I was off. I wandered around the base of the mountain a little bit at first. Seen some sign way down low. I took a look at a canyon to the east of me that ran north south. There was timber on the east side of it and the west side. I guess the goats hang out in the timber there. But just to the west of that is some alders and then a big granite face. The granite has some small run off creeks going through it. It also has a huge gorge running east west along the bottom of it. If one was to fall in this gorge, James Franco wouldn't have a movie to star in. Maybe Michelle Joyner would have a part or that raccoon from Ace Ventura.

Anyways... I head up the alders just west of the canyon. The fog was rolling in and out. I was starting to get closer to the snow line and I happened to look to the far west side of the granite slope. I caught something that just didn't look right. I busted out the spotting scope. There was a goat looking over at me. I tried to make out if it was a billy or a nanny, but was too far away to say for sure. But it was do or die weekend for me, so I figured I at least had to get closer. As the fog rolled in again, I packed everything up and made my approach.

I used the fog and creeks for cover while going across the granite. When the fog lifted I got low in a little creek hollow. pulled out my spotting scope to take a look. The goat was in the same spot looking at me head on still. Still too far to say for sure if it was a billy or nanny... but it started to look promising. The fog rolled in again and once again I packed up and started working the creeks. I used the creeks to hopefully cover my sound.

About 15 minutes later the fog lifted again. Again I hunkered down. Peeked over the top and the goat was still there looking at me. Spotting scope up and now I was a little more sure that I could make the shot. Looking at the goat head one, I was sure it was a billy, but not 100%. On top of that I didn't really have a good angle on it. So I waited for the fog to roll in again.

It didn't take long until I had my cover and I was off up the hill again. I was starting to get excited, thinking that this may actually happen. But I stopped myself and started telling myself it was a nanny and not to get excited. The fog lifted all of a sudden. I dropped behind some cover. I looked around but I couldn't see a goat. Then I caught some movement behind some alders. I put the camera on the tripod and grabbed Vanessa (browning x-bolt 325wsm). I had the tripod in my teeth and Vanessa across my back. I need my hands and feet to get up a little higher than the goat. The goat started to move out from behind the alders. I set up the tripod and put the camera on video mode. Then I found a flatter rock I could sort of lean against, as I didn't have my pack or anything for a good rest.

The goat was just now clearing the alders and I was lined up. As it came out it was broadside and I was sure it was a billy.

[warnniklz]

I lined up and sent a 200 grain accubond down range. The goat hobbled a bit, but was still standing. Lined up and fired again. This time there was a big thud. I seen blood down the side of the goat. The goat took two steps back behind the alders and fell over. I sat there for a few moments and watched it. I scooted back down to the camera. As I hit play, the footage wasn't what I was hoping for. It was a shitty camera, yes... but went I hit the record button the camera shifted. There's a close up of the muzzle of my rifle and that's it. So I grabbed that and packed up the rest of my gear. By now it was 1 o'clock.

I had to head back down and over to the east side of the granite, then up to the top, across to the west side, down a bit and back up. This took me an hour. But during this time I started to replay what went down in my head. Then doubt of weather it was a billy or not started to creep in. Everything I read about judging goats and all the goats I've watched said it was a billy. Wide bases, gradual curved horns, dirty patch on his ass, big shoulder told me it was a billy. But the horns seemed a little long... maybe the bases weren't as heavy as I though, maybe it was a nanny... but it was alone, so if it is a nanny, I didn't break any laws. I just wanted to get to the goat and make sure.

When I got to the goat, I ended up a little lower than it. But when I looked up I seen blood everywhere in the snow. As I was walking up the blood trail went to my left. Looked over and there was a goat face looking at me. All I could think was "Sully... you son of a bitch". The goat was maybe only 10 yards away through alders. I climbed up a little higher, with my rifle in hand to get a better view. Just as I got a clear line of sight, the goat jumped up. At the same time I got my rifle up and put the last round into it.

As he lay
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1466262_10153455988255387_1525813433_n.jpg

I finally got to put my hands on my first billy goat gruff. I grabbed his horns. At least twice the size of my penis... so he had to be at least 6". But he wasn't in an ideal spot to work on. I unhooked him from the alders and he went sliding down the hill and shooting through the frozen alders. I was almost behind him, but I was hanging on to the vegetation.

Got back to my feet and climbed down to him. He still wasn't in a great spot, and letting gravity pack him off the mountain seemed a lot better than hiking him down. So I carefully played goat plinko down the hill. Until he ended up out of the snow. Then I had my photo session. This was around 4:00pm.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1463177_10153455987025387_2124979438_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1470303_10153455987160387_222822354_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1467247_10153455987150387_1132080630_n.jpg

Only had bit of daylight left and I wasn't set up for an overnighter what so ever. I deboned him as best/quick as I could. Loaded up some meat and started my way down via head lamp. I didn't really want to leave the cape and skull behind... or at least near the rest of the carcass. So I grabbed some string and ran it along the length of the horn and cut it to length. Then I wrapped a piece around the base and cut it to length. I put the two pieces of string in my pocket and left the skull and cape behind.

By now it was pitch black and the fog had moved in. I had to travel five feet at a time. I also knew below me somewhere(and not very far) was a big death gorge. So I slowly picked my way over to some alders. Climbed down those until I ran out. Every step was calculated and made sure It wasn't more than two feet down to my next step. When I ran out of alders, I'd go up the other side until I could cross over to more alders.

At the one point I ran out of alders, there was only another granite face about 10 feet wide. On the other side I could see cedar trees. I held onto the alders and reached out with my leg and found a footing. I got out there, but couldn't reach the cedar branch on the far side. I couldn't reach back to the alders either. I also didn't know what was below me. At this point I was getting pretty tempted to hitting the SOS on my Spot. I could almost reach the cedar branch. So I made a big leap of faith to try and grab the branch. I got a hold of it but couldn't hang on. I ended up slipping off and down I went. I slid maybe 10 feet into vegetation again. Vegetation that ended up being at the bottom of the hill I was trying to get off of. I didn't even try to find the trail out. I just made a straight bee line through the trees back to the road. I ended up coming out 20 yards from the vehicle.

By now it was 10pm. I seen the measuring tape in the cup holder and remembered about the string in my pocket. Put them against the tape... 10 inch length and 5.5 inch base. Obviously not official... but bigger than anything I hoped for.

[shallowH2O]

Congrats on the trophy. It's been awesome to follow you on your adventures the last couple years

[Krico]

Congrats on a great billy, what a hard earned trophy!

[warnniklz]

I didn't have any real physical help... but if it wasn't for HBC I would have never had got this guy. So I think I owe a bunch of people a huge thank you... except for d6dan for the following idea when I moved up here;

The hell with fishing!, Get a hold of BCBillies and chase some goats!!! I had not/would not have thought about hunting goats if it wasn't for that comment. This obsession is your fault... and I thank you for it.

BCBillies moved away before I moved up. I think he didn't want to pack some rookie's goat out of some hell hole. To be fair I wouldn't either. Still have to toss a shout out to him. Last year and this year he provided me with a lot of info on goats.

Sherpa-Al because I think he felt sorry for me, so he basically pinpointed every possible spot where I had a chance at a goat and when.

Gerrygoat especially last year when I didn't really know where to start, I bombarded him with questions about gear, goat habitat, behavior and other general knowledge.

Kitnayakwa77 for this full Star Wars thread http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?85118-August-Long-Weekend-Billy that really got me excited about getting a goat.

Rhyno for getting a goat before me and pissing me off lol... gave me that extra push to make me get it done.

decker9 for always being excited about my adventures, which in turn kept me excited about going out

Todbartell and the rest of the Nechako gang for helping out with a lot of my shopping for gear.

Quesnel Kid for taking me into a new goat areas.

Marc for creating HBC that basically started all of this mess and hooking me up with the people above.

There was also a bunch of what I believe to be non members that helped out:
My dad
Shaun Flanagan
Brian Patrick
Jeff Carlson
Thomas Euverman
Alex Tranq
My G-Parents
My brother... basically for not telling my mother about my adventures

[ElectricDyck]

Way to perservere! Goat hunting is addicting. Long horns on him, how old is he? G

[warnniklz]

Way to perservere! Goat hunting is addicting. Long horns on him, how old is he? G

I aged him at 9... but I could be wrong. I'll let you guys know for sure when the inspection is done.

[khoffnbud]

Right on! Good job, way to stick with it.

[Buck]

Nice Billy congrats and how about Grizzly hunting now:evil:

[Ambush]

I finally got to put my hands on my first billy goat gruff. I grabbed his horns. At least twice the size of my penis... so he had to be at least 6".

Put them against the tape... 10 inch length and 5.5 inch bases... but bigger than anything I hoped for.

Nice work and a wild ride!!! You got beat up a bunch over the season, but you came out ahead. Tough or too dumb to quit, doesn't matter, you got the goat!! Congratulations!!.

And by the sounds of it , you've been selling yourself a bit "short". If the billy's horn is twice the length of yours and he's ten plus, well you can "enlarge" your add on all those dating sites. :-D :mrgreen:

[ThinAir]

That's a booner goat!! Nicely done:)

[BiG Boar]

Goat hunting is incredible! Great job on taking your first

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Huge congratulations!!! It was an entire journey and a well-earned, beautiful billy waiting at the end!!!:-D:-D

SSS

[Trekker]

awesome man. thanks for taking us along. im glad all your hard work and determination payed off!

[d6dan]

Wow!, nice 1st goat. He looks to score good. Great story and pic's. Thanks...

BTW, I still stand behind what I said.:wink:

[Sitkaspruce]

Awesome Goat!!!!!

This story is one of the best this year, thanks for bringing us along and this wild ride.

Goats are the unltimate mountain trophy and you earned yours!!!

Cheers

SS

[Rattler]

Congrats on a dandy billy.

[warnniklz]

Obviously not official, but...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1452066_10153460200330387_1869166325_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1395138_10153460200840387_1194540414_n.jpg

More to come...

[warnniklz]

Left Horn

length
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560096_10153460216165387_336320880_n.jpg

Base
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/603993_10153460221905387_262567915_n.jpg

1st quarter
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1457616_10153460293325387_1157505908_n.jpg

2nd quarter
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1454763_10153460297055387_249763375_n.jpg

3rd quarter
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1391747_10153460301435387_2048971309_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

Right Horn

Length
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/945453_10153460340395387_372784069_n.jpg

base
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1441547_10153460344790387_1175856168_n.jpg

1st 1/4
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1461330_10153460348705387_818370853_n.jpg

2nd 1/4
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1452228_10153460355125387_833496742_n.jpg

3rd 1/4
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1450917_10153460360540387_1465534723_n.jpg

[Ambush]

WOW!! Hopefully he holds up after drying. You may end up with a mid fifties billy!!

Let him dry in a cool spot, with no wind. Don't let it freeze.

Better start writing up your story for the Eastmans Hunting Journal.

Congratulations on a true once in a lifetime Billy!! You bought it with sweat, blood, energy and perseverance.

[BCbillies]

Huge congrats on a CRANKER at the end of your season . . . most impressed with your determination, passion and for helping your friend earlier in the season. It is great to see you rewarded!

That boy carries his weight well and scores high! Most hunters will never have the opportunity to see a live goat like yours.

[warnniklz]

I think next season I'm going to get Mr. Rancher to take me out caribou hunting... that way I can fall off horses instead of mountains...

[Ambush]

I think next season I'm going to get Mr. Rancher to take me out caribou hunting... that way I can fall off horses instead of mountains...

HAHA!! Yeah, you can have my mount, I'm still not quite over it yet. At least rocks don't have evil intentions. They did find the caribou on the last day this year though, SO maybe........

[gerrygoat]

BcBillies texted me about this goat so I thought I had better check in again after not being on HBC for a long time. Congrats on you goat he is a real bruiser, most guys never even see one like that let alone actually get one. That is some real tough country you hunted, worse than most goat areas here, glad it all worked out for you and that you made it through it all safely. Well done :)

[sobirch]

Right on, great hunt, great story

[TSW]

Awesome to see you connected on a smasher Warn!! That thing is a brute. It'll look great on the wall!

[adriaticum]

Congrats on your successful goat conquest!

[Salty]

Man for a guy with a 3 inch hammer and devil's club stuck in his nads you sure keep up a positive attitude dude :mrgreen:

Mr. niklz, take a bow young man you've just pulled off a big deal here.. and then some. New, solo but with enough stubbornness and maybe a bit of a fetish for self torture.. lol. you've earned a fine fine trophy. Congratulations and thanks a lot for sharing the story and pics well done man!

[sherpa-Al]

Well I have to tell you guys I just had my hands on this billy and he is a beast! I won't reveal the details (I'll let Warren do that) but this brute is everything that a goat hunter could hope for, solid bases, old and carries his weight throughout, a true representation of a mature billy. It's rare that a person just starting out hunting an animal takes one that is so exceptional (unless you are 12 and from Saskatchewan and your first buck is a 200 incher). This thread and his story is so true of the struggles that a rookie goat hunter can go through in this area of the world, short on time, last weekend, a season full of bruises, cuts, nearly broken bones but not beaten Warren pulled it off in a big way, almost like it was meant to be.

Al

[warnniklz]

Washed him out a bit and dried him off in the shower LOL.

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1424394_10153461082185387_117919527_n.jpg

Sherps came over this afternoon and caped him out for me
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1467185_10153463686430387_2128655873_n.jpg

Solid right to the bases
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1470362_10153463631705387_1661323755_n.jpg

He also put the tape to him and got a green score
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/993454_10153463623875387_1882648985_n.jpg

Right horn:

length - 10 7/8
base - 5 5/8
first qtr - 4 6/8
second qtr - 3 4/8
third qtr - 2 1/8

Left Horn:

Length - 11
base - 5 5/8
first qtr - 4 6/8
second qtr - 3 4/8
third qtr - 2

Difference of 2/8 of an inch. With a green score of 53 4/8

[warnniklz]

Man for a guy with a 3 inch hammer and devil's club stuck in his nads you sure keep up a positive attitude dude :mrgreen:

Mr. niklz, take a bow young man you've just pulled off a big deal here.. and then some. New, solo but with enough stubbornness and maybe a bit of a fetish for self torture.. lol. you've earned a fine fine trophy. Congratulations and thanks a lot for sharing the story and pics well done man!

Animals aren't afraid of what's in your pants... they don't laugh at it either...

And you aren't goat hunting until you have thorns in your corn

[d6dan]

He's what some of us goat hunters call a "ball dragger". You set the bar pretty high with that one warnniklz. Going to be fun to better him in the years to follow. I will be looking forward to reading your future posts. Congrats again. :-D

[kitnayakwa77]

great job on a beautiful billy! way to persevere and get it done!

[Neff]

Wow, wow, wow. Seems you got the town talkin with that Billy! Even brought Gerrygoat out of hibernation :)
Great goat Warn, and equally impressive write up. Puckered a bit just reading it and following along. I had the good fortune of experiencing a goat hunt in that part of the province this year, and appreciate your story all the more because of it. Thanks for taking us along. Congrats on a beauty!

[Coop]

Wow!!! Congrats to you! Great read

[Avalanche123]

I followed your hunt from day one as I recognized the area. Good to hear you connected with a beauty Billy. Well done and excellent job of keeping at it. :)

[buford19]

Just met you last week at the rifle range, hey good on you. Very impressed, nice to see hard work pay off. All I can say ( CRANKER). Good luck next year.

[BCbillies]

With that caliber of goat you join HBC's 53"+ members of the likes of ThinAir, Gerrygoat, Sherpa-Al and Kitnayakwa77. Two of you did it solo to boot! This thread will inspire a few of us to keep at it! :)

[warnniklz]

Sully(that's the name I gave him) Goat's current state of affair.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1422554_10153471459530387_1126514123_n.jpg

I've already put away the heart and back straps into my gut.

Also have a big roast for my rod and gun club banquet. Then I have another that was the same size cut into 4 different pieces, so I can try some different techniques.

I thought I was done with Mr. Sully. But now I gotta hunt down a taxidermist that wants to do him up and start planning my next hunt.

[BCbillies]

Looks delicious . . . any stink to him? The odd goat had been known to smell at this time of year!

[warnniklz]

Looks delicious . . . any stink to him? The odd goat had been known to smell at this time of year!

None! I was a little surprised. A buddy is showing up tomorrow night to pick up a load of my stuff. I think I'll serve him goat tacos.

[decker9]

Holly hell! How did I miss this!?!? Warn, I'm speechless! Now thats what goat hunting is all about! The time, effort, blood, sweat, and even maybe even a tear of HELL YEAHHH!!! You put into your goat hunting, you so deserved that billy! you are a true goat soldier man!! IMO, your whole post here is the best read iv read since I joined HBC. That is one heck of a stomper! Probably a once in a lifetime billy. And to do it solo!? Ya, speechless warn! Huge congratulations!! On your trophy, and a fantastic wright up!! Definetly looking forward to your next quest! Thank you for taking us along every step of the way, cheers!!

[argyle1]

I haven't checked out HBC for a while---my son (decker9) told me I had to check out your thread Warn--what a hell of a goat season you had--HUGE congratulations on a hell of a job--you are a true goat hunter

[warnniklz]

thanks guys.

Here's a picture to give you a better idea of where my goat was. He is actually in this picture. You just can't see him.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1461789_10153555659695387_1604297793_n.jpg

Here's my goat still alive
https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1441435_10153555659805387_1101900720_n.jpg

So since Tranquilizer's goat was robbed by a greasy grizzly turd... he has nothing to hang on his wall.

But his b-day is on the 10th and fishmas just around the corner, I got these done up for him today.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1454910_10153557467675387_533514962_n.jpg

Better idea of the pic above
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1471324_10153557548135387_939434670_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1471376_10153557467795387_714102272_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

The lady at wally world stayed an hour after she clocked out to help me. She said she didn't like hunting... but sure liked my pictures.

[tanker]

wow amazing thread cant wait for more nextyear that inspired me to get out there! i may just have to go this weekend broken leg and hobblin

[markomoose]

Took me a while but what a wicked read!Nice billy!Awsome pics too!

[warnniklz]

So a little update. So as you know Tranquilizer lost his goat to a big fully stomach with claws and teeth.

Don't know if I mentiomed it. But right when we got back to town(the same day we realized it was snatched), we went straight to the CO's office and told them what happened. They heard out our story and didn't mark anything down... except Tranquilizer's hunting license, tag, LEH authorization and drivers license.

So just around christmas (between the 22nd and 26th) he was contacted by the CO to get information to do a report. CO sent Tranquilzer the following:

"Please email me a statement with the following information:

1. with whom you went out hunting with
2. specie(s) targeted
3. who was holding species tags
4. date and time you hiked into the area
5. date and time you shot the goat
6. length of horns if possible
7. sex of goat
8. date and time you stored what of the goat (meat/hide/skull?)
9. detailed description of: kill site, site you stored the goat and camp site plus
10. map/image (attached to email) with places marked where meat was stored and camp site was (eg. Google Earth image or drawn map)
11. date and time you discovered what was gone
12. why you thought it was a bear that took your trophy
13. date and time you hiked out"

Tranquilizer was a little fuzzy with the info as it was 4 months after the fact. We'll see if anything happens.

[sherpa-Al]

Should've told him to just read this thread, more than enough info plus pictures!

[porcupine]

That's a fabulous goat that you got. Congratulations on well earned and well deserved trophy. I'm jealous, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Well done and thanks for the great stories.

[warnniklz]

That's a fabulous goat that you got. Congratulations on well earned and well deserved trophy. I'm jealous, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Well done and thanks for the great stories.

Gotta say, this thread was inspirational as well
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?55468-My-mountain-goat-hunt&highlight=mountain+goat+hunt

[decker9]

The first and only goat hunt I ever guided was on that mountain ^^^^ for that outfitter. Ill never ever guide another goat hunter again!! Lol. That is a great story he posted tho. Some beauty big Billy's in that range, and a very easy hunt. 2 hours of nice trail from the pickup and your hunting.

[Trev769]

Hey guys, I'm looking for someone to host a couple alberta boys on a goat hunt. We would host in return for anything we can, or anything you might be interested in. Thanks!

[Hunt-4-Life]

Don't hijack the thread, and by "host" I think you mean guide, which requires a license. Start your own thread.

[warnniklz]

It's allright. He's new and actually offered info for info. Plus this thread is pretty much dead until my mount is done... I think anyways

[Hunt-4-Life]

I was just really enjoying the read and didn't want it pulled off topic. Outstanding goat man, and outstanding effort.

[warnniklz]

I was just really enjoying the read and didn't want it pulled off topic. Outstanding goat man, and outstanding effort.

Thanks buddy

[Trev769]

And actually by "host" I meant host! Not guide. Completely different. In BC it is called accompany to hunt, in alberta it's called hunter host.

[NorBC]

It's allright. He's new and actually offered info for info. Plus this thread is pretty much dead until my mount is done... I think anyways

Speaking of which.. Your 60 days must almost be up if not already. Have you decided who your going to get to do your mount ?

[warnniklz]

Haven't got an "official" score. Got my goat down to Ganders on the 12th. So in a year and a bit or so... I can say I'm a lot antsier for my goat than my deer.

[warnniklz]

going for something like this
https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1922061_10153808545685387_970804969_n.jpg

[misinformation]

wow that's an amazing thread, I hope to accomplish something like that in a few years once I can drive, I cant wait to see the mount and you certainly are a gifted story teller

[sherpa-Al]

Full or semi-sneek will really show off his length, contrasting against his hair, sitting upright, chin up, not so much

[Rhyla]

What a read! My fiance and I were cheering you on as we read through all of the posts. I was heartbroken when the bear got the first goat, but a huge congratulations to you both for all of your perseverance and hard work! Absolutely incredible story and pictures.

[warnniklz]

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17883553_10158584123175387_5600068637613047278_n.j pg?oh=1f522ab87503094fa0990534bbd226e1&oe=599B51B4

Well... Just got a phone call. He's done!

[monasheemountainman]

Wow I really like that mount! Looks awesome man congrats

[guest]

Nice mount, good looking Bill, thanks for the share.

If ever get another prized Beast the Color of Winter, I'm going to do a similar mount, 1/2 body, out of a corner, one hoof hanging over the edge of Boulder like yours .

You now have a memory on display to share your hard earned reward from your efforts . Congrats.

[warnniklz]

...
If ever get another prized Beast the Color of Winter, I'm going to do a similar mount, 1/2 body, out of a corner, one hoof hanging over the edge of Boulder like yours...

BETTER BE SIMILAR AND NOT THE SAME!!! lol

I basically told them all I wanted was it laying on a rock. The rest was in the hands of the taxidermist. Spent the last couple years looking at similar mounts and thinking I may have made the wrong choice. But definitely came out better than I expected. I've yet to see it in person. But pictures are