Phone scouting- what to ask biologists, wardens and those who have been there....

[mmbackpacker]

Now that I officially have my Idaho mountain goat tag in my hands, I am getting ready to begin the process of talking biologists, wardens and the like.

What are your go-to questions? What are the wise questions that bring about useful answers?

 

[tuffcity]

Bio's: latest population surveys, herd health issues, kid recruitment
Wardens: where do most of the people concentrate, problem areas (both things to avoid ), access issues.

Couple of things of the top of my head.

RC

 

[Nick Muche]

Know specifics about the area, don't fish... The more YOU know, the more THEY will be willing to tell you... That is my experience...

 

[luke moffat]

Know specifics about the area, don't fish... The more YOU know, the more THEY will be willing to tell you... That is my experience...

Great advice Nick!

 

[mmbackpacker]

Know specifics about the area, don't fish... The more YOU know, the more THEY will be willing to tell you... That is my experience...

I had to read it twice because I thought you were actually telling me not to fish! Good advice, thanks!

 

[mmbackpacker]

Access, fire areas/ fire closures (as in there are lakes where you can't have a fire within 250 yards of the lake), population surveys, water access...

Good questions Tuffcity!

Thanks guys, I'll be calling them soon. Anyone else have any gems?

 

[robby denning]

ya, don't fish or you'll end up on the same mountain as all the others who tried that... and I always ask if there are any previous hunters I can talk to. They usually dodge it but I had one Colorado biologist send me every name/number of everyone who drew the hunt the previous year (not hard on a unit with low tag numbers). Huntin' Fool also has their member draw list and there might be someone on there who's had that tag.

 

[cleatus]

I would also ask about road closures. Especially logging roads. Ran into this in Montana this spring roads didn't open till the day I left. Just made for a lot of walking.

 

[Rizzy]

Maybe you already read these, but the mountain goat reports are here;

https://collaboration.idfg.idaho.gov/WildlifeTechnicalReports/Forms/AllItems.aspx

It looks like if you find the report done on a year they flew it, the goat location are marked on a quad map. It was for my unit at least.

 

[Lukem]

Know specifics about the area, don't fish... The more YOU know, the more THEY will be willing to tell you... That is my experience...

Best advice there is Nick.

On the other end of the spectrum, don't ask "where do you hunt?"

 

[mtnrunner260]

Have a notepad, map and Google earth up during the call. Don't limit yourself to just the fish and game. Talk to the fs as well. Have a couple spots in mind. Don't start with "where can I find the biggest goat" start with "I was thinking of starting here and hiking to here" the more prepared you are the more help you'll receive.