Drew My Dream Tag

[muleman]

I live at the base of the Willard Peak Goat unit and after ten years I finally drew this tag. Over the years I have applied for both the Beaver and Willard units. I really wanted the Willard unit as I feel it is my backyard. From my house I'm lucky enough to be able to spot goats. I had to read my email a half dozen times before I believed that I actually drew.

 

[Matt Cashell]

That is awesome. How is cell service there?

Live Hunt perhaps?

 

[muleman]

Cell service is good. I'm toying with the idea of a Huntin' Fool article. So we'll have to see about a live hunt.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Cell service is good. I'm toying with the idea of a Huntin' Fool article. So we'll have to see about a live hunt.

Sounds good. I have a suspicion there will be some pretty sweet photos coming out of that hunt.

 

[shaun]

Thats awesome man congrats! I am still awaiting my email from Utah. Everyone else I have talked to have recieved theirs.

 

[muleman]

Thats awesome man congrats! I am still awaiting my email from Utah. Everyone else I have talked to have recieved theirs.

Utah is usually pretty good about getting emails out a little early. Results are scheduled to be posted tomorrow. Have you checked your credit card for charges? Here is a number for them if needed.

Utah Wildlife Administrative Services
(800) 221-0659

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Congrats on a heck of a tag. So cool to be near home too!

 

[muleman]

Did a quick scouting trip last Friday night and Saturday morning. Moved away from the nannys and young goats to find mature billies. Only saw three goats, two confirmed billies and an unknown. The solitary goat at a mile and half away looked promising. It looked like it had a big body from that distance and no other goats visible.

 

[Bighorse]

Fun

Looks promising. That close in view isn't really clear to me. It has the potential to be a good gentics young Bill and mature Nanny. I'd want some infield time with that pair to confirm. I often ignore horns all together and look for a sack. A big bodied bill that solitary can really fool ya too. The body is so big the horns look small.

If this is your first Mt. Goat hunt I can't emphasize the enough the importance of patience. Let the goat move into favorable terrain. Be prepared gear wise to wait a long time......sometimes over 24 hrs. Don't destroy a perfectly good goat with gravity. I know I've seen plenty end up less than pretty.

Don't stress the reporting BS. Have fun and hunt like a wild man.

 

[muleman]

Looks promising. That close in view isn't really clear to me. It has the potential to be a good gentics young Bill and mature Nanny. I'd want some infield time with that pair to confirm. I often ignore horns all together and look for a sack. A big bodied bill that solitary can really fool ya too. The body is so big the horns look small.

If this is your first Mt. Goat hunt I can't emphasize the enough the importance of patience. Let the goat move into favorable terrain. Be prepared gear wise to wait a long time......sometimes over 24 hrs. Don't destroy a perfectly good goat with gravity. I know I've seen plenty end up less than pretty.

Don't stress the reporting BS. Have fun and hunt like a wild man.

Bighorse thanks for the advice.

Both of the goats in the first picture were packing sacks. I originally thought the lower goat was a nanny until he turned and gave me the money shot. The heavier goat didn't look very old to me and I don't think his horns are long. He does look like he has a heavy horn gene.

Money shot of the smaller goat. The picture is a screen shot from a video and kinda washed out.


Here is another shot with the heavier goat's ears visible.


My next trip is out to find that lone goat and see if it look like a shooter. I have scheduled the whole hunt off from work and plan on using the time to get a mature billy. I welcome any and all your advice as I'm a goat novice.

 

[muleman]

Didn't have enough time to make it into the area to scout for the loan goat from last weekend. I was able to check out an area a buddy who has taken a goat and guided a few other hunts had told me about. Sure enough I found two solitary goats.



I was also able to see several bands of nannies and kids. Each band had between 5 and 12 goats.

 

[muleman]

I was really surprised to see how young the goats harvested in Utah are. It gives me hope that I'll connect with a nasty old billy. Average days hunted is like 2.6 with a 96% success ratio.

 

[Rizzy]

Yeah it looks like there is probably some old ones available for you, some of the other areas are producing 7 yr olds. Are you heading in to find the big loner next weekend?

 

[muleman]

I'll be scouting a few areas this weekend. Hopefully a couple afternoon trips too. I want to get some good pictures of a couple promissing goats as well as some more areas to scout.

 

[cmeier117]

Awesome, can't wait to hear about hunt.

 

[Sunspot]

Congrats on a great tag!

 

[muleman]

It's starting to get real, just five more days. Just met with my taxidermist to go over his preferred measurements and hide prep.

 

[Shrek]

Tick................tock............................tick................................tock......................................tick............................................tock........................................

Just a little reminder of the painfully slow creep of time when you're all ready to go !

 

[Jtelarkin08]

It's starting to get real, just five more days. Just met with my taxidermist to go over his preferred measurements and hide prep.

Man that's like getting the net out b4 the first fish. Bad luck!!!

 

[muleman]

Man that's like getting the net out b4 the first fish. Bad luck!!!

Well, I hope not. I prefer to think I'm being prepared.