Central Idaho Mountain goat behavior

[WRO]

I was lucky enough to draw a mountain goat in the sawtooths, we spent our first scouting trip this weekend.

I have heard early season the goats aren't as visible, that being said we saw a few nannies with kids, We found tracks and sign in several areas we hiked into. Most of the goats we saw were lower (~7K) although we saw sign up to 9200 ft.

When do the goats start to spend more time in the open? Should I be focusing on North slopes more early? Is it an early morning/Evening game? What specifically should I be looking for.

 

[wowzers]

My experience is they are pretty dang visible from March on. I counted 18 plus one day in the Seven Devils in April. While not the Sawtooths, in the Larkins' I would see them throughout the day, same for the Devils.

 

[WRO]

My experience is they are pretty dang visible from March on. I counted 18 plus one day in the Seven Devils in April. While not the Sawtooths, in the Larkins' I would see them throughout the day, same for the Devils.

Did summer temps make a difference?


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[wowzers]

Did summer temps make a difference?


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I’m not sure. I did do one survey in the Frank years ago towards summer and didn’t see squat, so maybe.

The Larkins I don’t think so though because everything I’ve been in there from June though August I see goats.

 

[littlebigtine]

I saw a couple billies (not the best judge of sex) at about 9000’ in the Sawtooths on a e/ne aspect evening of july 4th. They nearly shedded their winter coats. It seems to me that they move around quite a bit throughout the season but stay in a drainage for a couple days to a week at a time.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Depending on where there’s water, they will move it it early/late if they have to come off cliff systems and be more exposed in lower areas. I’ve seen this with creeks was well as alpine lakes.

 

[naneumranch]

Last year scouting in the seven devils the Billy’s were right at the tree line in timber pockets and the nannies and kids were at the base of the bluffs working in the rock shoots with that being said the Billy I found in July didn’t move 400 yards from the spot, I shot him in October


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[IDVortex]

I presume you're looking all day long, including from afternoon-night fall? Goats really get going especially in the heat at the end of the day.

Just did a survey for goats in MT this weekend, envious of your tag! Need a hand scouting?!

 

[WRO]

I presume you're looking all day long, including from afternoon-night fall? Goats really get going especially in the heat at the end of the day.

Just did a survey for goats in MT this weekend, envious of your tag! Need a hand scouting?!

Yup, try to spend all day out there.


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[ianpadron]

I used to deer hunt a spot in WA state that was nearly identical to the Sawtooths in terms of elevation and terrain/vegetation.

Spent a few weeks every summer up there when I was younger and learned a ton about goat tendencies (and caught some huge trout!)

Biggest thing I noticed was that the big boys were usually bedded on high timbered benches all day in the summer, you'd have no idea they were there until the last hour of light when they'd all come creeping out into the open to feed.

If you're pressed for time just rip a high ridge route looking for sign in those places during the day but if you're trying to pick a big Billy or 2 I'd make a plan on being setup with maximum vantage the last couple hours.

As the summer rolls on and they start getting fuzzy again look/listen for dusting activity in the high scree fields, makes one helluva racket and with a good wind you can see the dust clouds easily.