Mountain goat removal in Olympic National Park

[northwesthunter]

The way I understand some apps were eliminated initially if they were incomplete or downright unqualified but then it was just lottery luck to make it to the 40 groups that were actually picked based on their applications.. So to me it came down to luck to getting picked not so much how good a team you put together at all and then I think hunting experience appealed to them a lot less than other things.. Good luck to those that got picked and remember how well you make this happen will help the park systems to decide hunters can be a useful tool in management so play by their rules..

 

[270quest]

My team did not get selected - thought we may have had a slim chance as we had 2 hunting guides, one who is currently active military sniper, and the other who has passed and certified backcountry medical response.

 

[slick]

For those of you selected...are you bringing an ice axe & semi-auto crampons?

Edit to add: Twin or double ropes too?

 

[hikenhunt]

For those of you selected...are you bringing an ice axe & semi-auto crampons?

Edit to add: Twin or double ropes too?

Didn't get selected, but I think that will depend on the unit(s) they got assigned to. Some are much more accessible than others.

 

[6.5x284]

For those of you selected...are you bringing an ice axe & semi-auto crampons?

Edit to add: Twin or double ropes too?

Depends on the unit, but I am planning to pack my Grivel Air Tech Light crampons and a SMC 100cm Kobah axe.

 

[Quicksilver]

Any updates or stories to share on teams who have made it back so far?

 

[pyrotechnic]

Team members had to sign a "no social media" document. I'm doubting you're going to see much in the way of stories and experiences.

 

[Quicksilver]

Ahhh that makes sense. Dang was looking forward to some stories.

 

[Fonkie]

From what I understand from some locals here that were part of teams, there were not many teams that saw goats, let alone killed any. Weather & Feds trying time organize a hunt made for tough or no hunting in the small windows of opportunity. Both things were my 2 biggest concerns involved with this opportunity. Glad I didn’t get chosen to get involved in that disappointment.

 

[mtwarden]

I guess that being the case, glad we weren't chosen either. Would have been a large chunk of vacation committed, possibly for naught.

As it turned out I was able to get a permit for the Wonderland Trail (Rainier) and spent my time there instead

 

[Fonkie]

I guess that being the case, glad we weren't chosen either. Would have been a large chunk of vacation committed, possibly for naught.

As it turned out I was able to get a permit for the Wonderland Trail (Rainier) and spent my time there instead

I have to get up there one of these days before I’m too old. Does that trail take off from paradise?

 

[CoffeeGoat]

I guess that being the case, glad we weren't chosen either. Would have been a large chunk of vacation committed, possibly for naught.

As it turned out I was able to get a permit for the Wonderland Trail (Rainier) and spent my time there instead

I did the timberline trail (My Hood) 15 years back and it was amazing, I'd love to get the wonderland as well.

 

[mtwarden]

I have to get up there one of these days before I’m too old. Does that trail take off from paradise?

You can take off from numerous points- it basically circumnavigates Rainier entirely; we took it from White River (and finished at the same), but you can start/finish at numerous spots. Roughly 100 miles, but it's the climbing and descending that makes it really challenging- roughly 26,000' of ascent (and descent). You also have the option of taking the Spray Park alternative route- some additional climbing, but we thought it was worth it.

We did it in 4 days (4 long days ), after that I'd recommend taking a little longer

We're going to go back with the wives (if we can get a permit) and shorten it a bunch, but still get into some of that gorgeous alpine country.

 

[Fonkie]

Cool gonna have to go up there

 

[hunterednate]

Here's the official press release from the ONP regarding the success of the lethal mountain goat removal:

Mountain Goat Removal Complete for 2020 - Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

31 goats killed by 20 teams. Sounds like no major PR issues, so hopefully this keeps the door open for the NPS to consider recruiting hunters as volunteers for future lethal removal operations. Well done to the forum members here who were selected and participated.

 

[Elk830]

Why would they limit the dates? Seems kinda counterintuitive.

 

[mtwarden]

Way to go guys!

Wish we could have participated, maybe next time

 

[mtnwrunner]

We were part of the volunteers that were selected. If anyone wants details, they can PM me.

Randy