Colorado Goat

[DirtyD]

I thought you guys might like this one. Although, I'm a little embarrassed posting after reading about some of the REAL hunts!

http://thinairoutdoors.com/2014-g-5-chicago-basin/

 

[DirtyD]

And a couple pics of some nice billy's that didn't make the blog write up. Of course i killed a little nanny

 

[DirtyD]

 

[chindits]

Wow, I never comtemplated that part of the wilderness down there. I had no idea it was so heavily visited by the general public. I figured there were a few backpackers and kayakers doing the narrow gauge rail access, but not to the extent your link suggests. So how was taking the harvest back out on the train? Were you able to conceal the harvest from the rest of the train riders? Any negative encounters from the public? We have local goats, so I don't think I would do that hunt, but maybe a photo backpack trip....

 

[justin davis]

Cool write up. A lot of guys have done this hunt and rode the train. I've never heard of people having issues.

 

[DirtyD]

Most the passengers were none the wiser that we were loading a goat into the train. We checked a cooler as cargo on the trip in, cached it in the woods when we arrived and then stuffed the goat in it when we made it back to the trailhead. The only reason a few hikers knew what was going on was, I was smart enough to stash an iced down 12-pack in there. So after the goat when in and the beer came out we were the most popular guys at the depot waiting for the train to pick us up.

Overall everyone was super cool, but I was definitely nervous we'd run into the one guy/gal that would start busting our balls about hunting and that would have been a huge buzz kill. Thankfully that never happened.

 

[gonhunting247]

Thanks for a great write up. Great work on your goat. Congrats!

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Nice dude! You are fueling my fire.

 

[bowuntr]

Right on.... congratulations. Great write up. I have over 20 years in to the N/R Colorado goat draw. I will draw someday... Ed F

 

[7stw]

Congrats on the goat. Sounds like an awesome trip.

 

[TheHardWay]

Nice story and congrats. In all the years living here, I still haven't ridden the train! One day....
While I do realize that we as hunters have to try to maintain a responsible image with the general public, I saw screw having to tip-toe around the hikers, tree-huggers, hippies, etc. I get it that we don't want to cause any confrontation (especially when we are on cloud nine after a successful hunt!), but we have every right to be in the backcountry hunting as they do, hiking. Wilderness is multi-use, and a hiker with any sense should realize it. Be proud of your hunting heritage, don't hide it or apologize for it. I know I am preaching to the choir, but I refuse to walk on egg shells.

 

[orionthehunter1]

+1, and cool story

 

[Muledeernv]

Congrats on your hunt.

 

[JP100]

good work man. its pretty weird hunting in popular spots like that. our glacier valleys where I hunt Chamois are much like that with hundreds of people a day walking around.

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

My hunting partner drew this tag today, so I'll be along with him in September. He's not on Rokslide. I would love to chat with any of you guys that have experienced this hunt.

 

[bradyhunt]

My hunting partner drew this tag today, so I'll be along with him in September. He's not on Rokslide. I would love to chat with any of you guys that have experienced this hunt.

@Lil-Rokslider how'd your buddies goat hunt go?

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

@Lil-Rokslider how'd your buddies goat hunt go?

It was epic. 5 of us went down in September for a week long hunt. We avoided the Chicago Basin area, in search of a bit of a different kind of adventure than CB had to offer. We hiked into some of the wildest country that Colorado has to offer. Glassed up a big billy on the first evening, and made a plan to go after him in the morning. Then it began to rain overnight, and didn't stop for 48 hours. Snow and fog so thick that you couldn't see 20 yards makes for impossible goat hunting. By the time it cleared, the creeks that we had to cross were now roaring rivers. It made things exciting. We weren't able to relocate that Billy, and we never found another goat on that trip. We put on LOTS of miles, and saw all the drainages and mountains that you would expect to hold goats along the way. Gained and lost lots of elevation everyday. Then came home without a goat, but filled up from an epic adventure with good friends.

Then, just last week, my buddy with the tag went down by himself and met up with an acquaintance in the area to give it one last try. They day hunted out of Silverton, and he killed a nanny. He was able to sneak into 30 yards of her bedded and put an arrow into her. She ran 30 yards and bedded on a ledge. About a minute later she took her last breath, and fell 1,000 vertical feet down. They were able to get to her with some scrambling, and tied a rope around her to move her down to a flatter spot to butcher her. Her coat is beautiful.

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

Also, many Roksliders sent Dm's with helpful intel that helped us come up with a gameplan. Another reason I love this place.