Nickziegler
WKR
First off I want to thank everyone who gave me any advice prior to my hunt it was all very helpful.
I arrived at Calgary Airport Sept. 22 and had a nice scenic drive through Banff and Yoho national park prior to arriving at Camp for the next 10 Days. Surprisingly that night I slept very well. Then next morning I met my guide Chad. Who was 28. We got along right away and I knew he would do his best to make the hunt great.
Day 1 we headed out for a day hunt. I think it was a test run to see were I was for conditioning. I was feeling pretty confident in my self but didn't know what I would be in for. We parked the truck and started at the trail at about 5,000 feet elevation. The hike took us maybe an hour and a half or two hours through several chutes and thick timber and was about 3 miles in. When we arrived at the first basin to glass the view was amazing. Walking out of the trees to a theater like view of the mountains all around.
Right away my guide saw a goat climbing what looked like a crack in a vertical cliff about 700 yds away. There was snow on day 1 so it took a bit for me to find it. getting out the spotter we decided it was a nanny. We continued glassing and found 1 more nanny and kid and either a small billy or nanny.
After not seeing much more we decided to pack up and continue up the trail. We continued for another 2 miles of so until the trail opened up from the timber. Chad started to glass and I just kind of stood there taking in all the views. Right away he spotted a goat bedded above us at about 450 yds. Determining it was a pretty good looking billy to me, we made a plan to get closer. Slowly we worked our was up and out of sight from the goat. We knew if we could get to a shelf below him we would have a pretty good change at a shot if he didn't spook. Once we got to that shelf we were still out of sight so slowly made our way across to where we thought he was. Both of us dropped our packs. Chad was able to pick the goat out and he was still bedded above us at 130 yds. The goat didn't really seem to care we were there. I was able to work my was to a good size rock a few yards away and set up for a shot. after 45 minutes with the billy in my sights he finally stood. My gun went off and I immediately chambered another round. Chad said the first was a hit. I squeezed again and the goat fell. He did take a small fall but nothing was broken or no facial damage.
When we got to him it was such a great feeling. 3 years worth of training had paid off and I had my goat. He was in a perfect spot for great pictures. We got him skinned and quartered and packed him out before it got dark. I don't think any type of training can prepare someone for a loaded pack like that side hilling and descending in snow and loose rock. Thank God for trekking poles!
I arrived at Calgary Airport Sept. 22 and had a nice scenic drive through Banff and Yoho national park prior to arriving at Camp for the next 10 Days. Surprisingly that night I slept very well. Then next morning I met my guide Chad. Who was 28. We got along right away and I knew he would do his best to make the hunt great.
Day 1 we headed out for a day hunt. I think it was a test run to see were I was for conditioning. I was feeling pretty confident in my self but didn't know what I would be in for. We parked the truck and started at the trail at about 5,000 feet elevation. The hike took us maybe an hour and a half or two hours through several chutes and thick timber and was about 3 miles in. When we arrived at the first basin to glass the view was amazing. Walking out of the trees to a theater like view of the mountains all around.
Right away my guide saw a goat climbing what looked like a crack in a vertical cliff about 700 yds away. There was snow on day 1 so it took a bit for me to find it. getting out the spotter we decided it was a nanny. We continued glassing and found 1 more nanny and kid and either a small billy or nanny.
After not seeing much more we decided to pack up and continue up the trail. We continued for another 2 miles of so until the trail opened up from the timber. Chad started to glass and I just kind of stood there taking in all the views. Right away he spotted a goat bedded above us at about 450 yds. Determining it was a pretty good looking billy to me, we made a plan to get closer. Slowly we worked our was up and out of sight from the goat. We knew if we could get to a shelf below him we would have a pretty good change at a shot if he didn't spook. Once we got to that shelf we were still out of sight so slowly made our way across to where we thought he was. Both of us dropped our packs. Chad was able to pick the goat out and he was still bedded above us at 130 yds. The goat didn't really seem to care we were there. I was able to work my was to a good size rock a few yards away and set up for a shot. after 45 minutes with the billy in my sights he finally stood. My gun went off and I immediately chambered another round. Chad said the first was a hit. I squeezed again and the goat fell. He did take a small fall but nothing was broken or no facial damage.
When we got to him it was such a great feeling. 3 years worth of training had paid off and I had my goat. He was in a perfect spot for great pictures. We got him skinned and quartered and packed him out before it got dark. I don't think any type of training can prepare someone for a loaded pack like that side hilling and descending in snow and loose rock. Thank God for trekking poles!
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