Idaho Mountain Goat Scouting and Hunting Trip Reports

[mmbackpacker]

Finally had a couple of days off to head up and do a banzai quick scouting trip. Rough country, the pics won't do it justice... but it is amazing up there. Standing on a peak, 360* views of nothing but waves of ridge lines to the horizon, the only other sign of civilization is two fire lookouts and an occasional bush plane or the contrails from a jet. Absolutely refreshing. The goats were right where I thought they'd be, unfortunately I didn't get to poke around as much as I'd like due to time constraints, but there should be a few more bands in the general vicinity. It's going to be a tough hunt with the longbow (and I am going solo...). Water and campsites are also big issues I wanted to figure out on the scouting trip, which I think I did for the most part. You may notice the huge areas of burnout from last year or the year before. Absolutely huge areas of stark barren trees. With the huckleberries in full display, I thought for sure I would see some bears, but no... no deer, elk, or wolves either, but that's not what I was after. Anyway, on to the pics!

The last road I saw for the time. Never saw another vehicle on it.


Saw the first goats right there.... from that far away...


See her? It is hard holding up the camera to the spotting scope for a picture, impossible to get a movie. I am going to have to get one of those phonescope or digicam gizmos.






There are 4 goats in this picture.... and Waldo too, find him for extra bonus points!

 

[mmbackpacker]

6 here...




The kids are on the cliff.... they are just a few months old. Amazing grace, balance and dexterity!

 

[mmbackpacker]

Camp on a ridgeline. Thats a small, craptastic one man tent wedged up against a couple small trees... only a 1000 foot dropoff to either side.



First "verified" billy spotted in the morning, bedded down right about... there.



Notice how he looks blockier? Hard to tell with my stellar photography.


The life of Mike.


Ridgelines forever. FOR-EV-ER!

 

[mmbackpacker]

I always make a point to take time to enjoy the small blessings as well. Idaho mountain wildflowers (and huckleberries).

 

[Rizzy]

Nice pics and report. Are you going to hunt the goat with your long bow? I have recently been considering using my long bow on my hunt too.

 

[muleman]

Great pics, they make me jones for another goat tag. Good luck, you have your work cut out for you solo and with a stick bow. Are you considering using a rifle as a fall back?

 

[mmbackpacker]

Nice pics and report. Are you going to hunt the goat with your long bow? I have recently been considering using my long bow on my hunt too.

I am planning on hunting with my longbow, yep. Not going to be easy!

Great pics, they make me jones for another goat tag. Good luck, you have your work cut out for you solo and with a stick bow. Are you considering using a rifle as a fall back?

I have a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 30-06 for backup.

 

[muleman]

Getting close can be done. Last year I was able to stalk within 5 feet of some juvenile goats. It helped a lot they were in some timber and one of the goats was chasing a small muley buck around in a shale chute nearby.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I am planning on hunting with my longbow, yep. Not going to be easy!



I have a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 30-06 for backup.

What unit are you in? Reason I ask is that I was deer scouting this last weekend and saw a really nice billy.

Randy

 

[mmbackpacker]

I am in unit 27-5.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I am in unit 27-5.

You're way north of where I was. And way to go going after it with a longbow---the real stick and string. Good luck!

Randy

 

[jwb300]

great work - thanks for sharing