Optics for BC Goat Hunt

[Ron.C]

BC hunter here. I have hunted goats in and adjacent area and hope to be hunting the same MU as you this October.

Your guide should have the optics and ability to determine if its a billy and the quality of the billy before you embark on any climb or stalk. No harm in bringing your spotter/tripod for down low use and leave them there. Then you can appreciate the light 8.5's on the climb. In that country, once you climb up to relocate the animal, you are not glassing far.

I use a 65mm spotter / 10x bino combo. Both are Vortex Razor's so not the best glass on the market but they do. Worked well enough for me but the spotter/tripod stays almost always stay below and will certainly stay with the truck in this area.

I like the idea of a quality 15X bino/lightweight tripod combo. Be a good option for a guy that hunts alone and packs into an area on foot a good distance where he may need a little more than a 10X to sex a goat before he commits to a climb.

 

[HornPorn]

I’m looking at horseback assisted goat hunt and planning to take 80mm spotter for sure

If back backing I’d stick to 65 or smaller

 

[JasonM]

A lot to consider…..

I had 10s on a west Texas aoudad hunt few years ago my buddy had 15s.

The 10s were about worthless locating animals at least in that scenario….which was a good ways off probably 1/2-3/4 mile…. Once we climbed the 10s were fine closing in that final distance for the shot

That’s what makes me think this might be the same scenario….run the 15s at the truck and take the revics with me up the hill!

 

[Blockcaver]

I've glassed up goats at 6 miles (map distance, peak to peak) with 10X42 Swarovision EL's. I like binos to find them that can be hand held or used on a tripod. Then use the spotter and magnified digiscope photos to really check them out.

 

[JasonM]

I've glassed up goats at 6 miles (map distance, peak to peak) with 10X42 Swarovision EL's. I like binos to find them that can be hand held or used on a tripod. Then use the spotter and magnified digiscope photos to really check them out.

I guess goats stand out a little more than aoudad in west Texas desert. Unless there is snow. I’ve never goat hunted but I felt I couldn’t do a good job glassing with 10s for aoudad….

 

[Ron.C]

I guess goats stand out a little more than aoudad in west Texas desert. Unless there is snow. I’ve never goat hunted but I felt I couldn’t do a good job glassing with 10s for aoudad….

Sure will. Spotting goats in any given watershead in this and most other east kootenay units will not be an issue. Your G/O will know where exactly where to go and look. The goats can usually be picked out at a distance pretty easily without optics.

Even in snow, especially earlier in the season, the goats can appear yellowish to off white against the snowy backdrop and not hard to locate.

It will be all about which ones are accessible (your fitness has a huge part in this) and recoverable.

I'd say on a guided goat hunt (in your area) , the clients fitness and attitude are far more important then the choice of bino/spotter they bring.

 

[JasonM]

Sure will. Spotting goats in any given watershead in this and most other east kootenay units will not be an issue. Your G/O will know where exactly where to go and look. The goats can usually be picked out at a distance pretty easily without optics.

Even in snow, especially earlier in the season, the goats can appear yellowish to off white against the snowy backdrop and not hard to locate.

It will be all about which ones are accessible (your fitness has a huge part in this) and recoverable.

I'd say on a guided goat hunt (in your area) , the clients fitness and attitude are far more important then the choice of bino/spotter they bring.

Good points.

I’m not sure what kind of d of routine will prepare me the most but I plan on hiking up and down lots of steep (steepest I can find here in western Pennsylvania mountains) with a loaded pack ….when I’m not hiking and hailing a pack I’ll be running and some weight training….

 

[Jimss]

I would go totally nuts not bringing a spotter to watch and judge goats. I have such a great time watching goats and you will miss out on that without a spotter. You can also watch the goats up close with spotter while your guide explains how to tell Billie’s from Nannie’s, mature Billy vs nanny, etc.

I’ve been on many goat hunts in Colo and Alaska over the years and wouldn’t hesitate to bring a spotter plus 8 or 10x binos. 15x are middle of the road and not needed.

 

[dapesche]

If you only bring 10s, then you better bring a spotter.

10s will let you know a goat but you won't be able to judge one.

Bring a spotter if you are bringing 10s.
If you don't have a spotter you'll be standing beside your guide waiting for the opportunity to judge the goats for yourself.

Sent from my SM-S928W using Tapatalk

 

[derrickbouwman]

Bring a spotter if you have it. I’d take [emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]]]]’s and a spotter

 

[JasonM]

Bring a spotter if you have it. I’d take [emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]]]]’s and a spotter


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Huh?

 

[JasonM]

If you only bring 10s, then you better bring a spotter.

10s will let you know a goat but you won't be able to judge one.

Bring a spotter if you are bringing 10s.
If you don't have a spotter you'll be standing beside your guide waiting for the opportunity to judge the goats for yourself.

Sent from my SM-S928W using Tapatalk

I’m set on the spotter

Probably bring the 8.5x swaros and the br4

I’ll take the Revic binos on an elk hunt this year and see how I like them they may get the nod

 

[ckc07]

following

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Revic RF Binos and your spotter
Don’t overthink it all your bases covered here
Happy hunting and good luck

 

[teamsprock]

Rather than starting a new thread, I will jump in here. I drew a mountain goat tag here in Montana. We are going be backpacking in 3-4 miles to timberline and then hunting up from there. There will be two of us, so the plan is to be light and nimble.

Here is my current optics setup from years of elk hunting, suggestions on what you would take or change?

10x42 Swarovision EL's
15x56 Swaro SLC's
80mm Swaro ATS with the 25-50x wide angle eyepiece
Sig Kilo Rangefinder (nothing fancy but has always worked well out to 500 yards)

I am considering buying some rangefinding biino's so I could combine these two items. I would consider 10x42 bino's with a range finder and then leave the 15's in the truck.

Spotting scope - I like having the power of the big spotting scope, but I am considering buying the compact Swaro. (17-40x56)


other items of note - I will be carrying in a carbon fiber tripod that can handle bino's and a large spotter as needed. We are hoping to locate and kill a mature billy.

 

[dreamingWest]

I'd take your 10x42 EL, ATS 80, and the reliable Sig Kilo and being happy knowing it's difficult to have a better combo. You and your buddy could split some gear to help justify someone carrying the 80.

If you're looking for an excuse to buy RF binos, then yeah it's a good hunt to do it. I'd buy 10x42s and since you are used to Swaro glass I'd have to suggest the Swaro TA or the Leica Geovid Pro. I do think 17-40x56 would be plenty for goats since you're not counting rings. That would be sweet combo for your goat hunt if you want to add more glass to your collection.

As much as I love the 15s for finding game, I'd leave them out for this hunt.

 

[Blockcaver]

I sure like the new ATC17-40x56 spotter with the Phone Skope/iPhone for some additional magnification. Replaced my 13 year old Swaro 20-60x65mmHD and am totally happy.

 

[umbellus]

Have a hunt booked in southeast BC - the hunt may be a ride or walk logging roads glassing for the right goat OR we may spike out depending on where the goats are……looking for some insight on what optics to take, here is what I have available:

Swarovski EL 8.5x42 2023 manuf

Revic BLR10

SLC 15x56 2022 manuf

Swarovski ats 65mm

And a BR4 range finder….

Outfitter says bring spotter if desired….but not mandatory

I’ll be looking for a decent billy not looking for any record book animal.

This is my first goat adventure…any recommendations or guidance is greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Jason

Personally I would want my own spotter. I love watching goats crawling around way up there, so I would bring the ATS. The choice between binos I think comes down to the way you like to range, if ranging with the Revics is your go-to habit take those. Note also, your guide will be with you when you shoot, and they should be able to give you a distance.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Rather than starting a new thread, I will jump in here. I drew a mountain goat tag here in Montana. We are going be backpacking in 3-4 miles to timberline and then hunting up from there. There will be two of us, so the plan is to be light and nimble.

Here is my current optics setup from years of elk hunting, suggestions on what you would take or change?

10x42 Swarovision EL's
15x56 Swaro SLC's
80mm Swaro ATS with the 25-50x wide angle eyepiece
Sig Kilo Rangefinder (nothing fancy but has always worked well out to 500 yards)

I am considering buying some rangefinding biino's so I could combine these two items. I would consider 10x42 bino's with a range finder and then leave the 15's in the truck.

Spotting scope - I like having the power of the big spotting scope, but I am considering buying the compact Swaro. (17-40x56)


other items of note - I will be carrying in a carbon fiber tripod that can handle bino's and a large spotter as needed. We are hoping to locate and kill a mature billy.

I helped with a MT goat tag a few years ago so used that as an excuse to get the swaro ATC. It was awesome for the scouting and hunting with a digiscoping setup. But since you’ve got an ATS, pretty easy to just stick with that, if you can stomach the weight. I was the guy doing main goat ID and didn’t have issues using the ATC for it.

One thing on the RF - you can hand a separate unit to your spotter while you’re getting a shooting position setup. I’ve found that helpful, personally.

I don’t think 15s make sense. They are easy to find/spot.

 

[StopMakingSense]

10's and a 65 ... don't over complicate goats, you aren't hunting coues deer. I use 10x42 Geovid Pros and a 66a personally for goats in BC

All of these goats below the past two seasons were spotted with 10's and only one wasn't seen with the naked eye before checking them out. All were verified before shooting with a 65 to make final calls. If you want further info on how I judge them send me a message, I'll give you my notes I use in the field.

Good luck, goats are the best!

7 years mid 40's mid-sept



9 year low/mid 40's mid-nov



8 year 51 2/8 late-oct



10 years 52 2/8 early-nov