The Fog Factor while hunting Mountain Goat

[alaskalund]

Some people never move in fog. Some use it strategically in the right circumstances. Which are you?
I've got an article coming out in the next few days about handling fog on a recent goat hunt in SE Alaska. I'm sure the reaction will be mixed. Stay tuned.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I just published Jeff's article on hunting in the fog. Check it out!

Hunting In The Fog

 

[Wyoming Hart]

On my Kodiak goat hunt in 2021, the first huntable morning, the mountain that we had a billy on was fogged in up high after the storm that blew in the night before. We didn't get in a hurry that morning, but the packer that was with us, went for a quick look and came back quickly and said that the billy was down low, out of the fog. We went and took a look and the fog started to lift as the sun starting to shine through. We put a stalk plan together and got over on the other mountain and got above him; killing him around 4 that afternoon. I would be one who would use the fog to my advantage and make moves into position if in that situation and it is a high percentage chance at getting a shot. The only downside I see to moving in the fog is if the goats would move as well and you could end up make a big hike/stalk as the goat is headed out of the basin/area.

 

[alaskalund]

On my Kodiak goat hunt in 2021, the first huntable morning, the mountain that we had a billy on was fogged in up high after the storm that blew in the night before. We didn't get in a hurry that morning, but the packer that was with us, went for a quick look and came back quickly and said that the billy was down low, out of the fog. We went and took a look and the fog started to lift as the sun starting to shine through. We put a stalk plan together and got over on the other mountain and got above him; killing him around 4 that afternoon. I would be one who would use the fog to my advantage and make moves into position if in that situation and it is a high percentage chance at getting a shot. The only downside I see to moving in the fog is if the goats would move as well and you could end up make a big hike/stalk as the goat is headed out of the basin/area.

Yeah there are a lot of variables to analyze before foolishly heading into the clouds with a #fullsend attitude. Consider the situation and make the call. I've hunkered and I've moved and been happy with both decisions, notched tag or not.

 

[Nate Strong]

Some people never move in fog. Some use it strategically in the right circumstances. Which are you?
I've got an article coming out in the next few days about handling fog on a recent goat hunt in SE Alaska. I'm sure the reaction will be mixed. Stay tuned.

Grew up there…be ready for wet wet wet

 

[alaskalund]

Grew up there…be ready for wet wet wet

No question about that. The big decision comes when you're up there and the fog rolls in.

 

[Nate Strong]

Fig and rain can last a bit

 

[GMhunts]

I just published Jeff's article on hunting in the fog. Check it out!

Hunting In The Fog

great share thank you.

 

[Short Track]

I did an Ibex hunt. The guide took advantage of the fog to move around. Mountain goats can see you from 500 yards away, and they watch you carefully. They know you're there and get skittish.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Waiting for the fog to clear at altitude after several days on the Kodiak, AK mountain goat hunt was mentally much more stressful than the actual physical part of the hunt.

Sitting in a spike camp with virtually zero visibility day after day is not fun. Paid off eventually but the weather will test you. Happy hunting to all and good luck, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Short Track]

Waiting for the fog to clear at altitude after several days on the Kodiak, AK mountain goat hunt was mentally much more stressful than the actual physical part of the hunt.

Please explain how that affects you mentally ?? Is it because you can't move around?? Can't see, or just have to hang lose in a tent ??

 

[Flymost]

Just a guess, but probably has something to do with saving for four years, bribing buddies to cover shifts for you. Missing a child’s important event and having listen to your wife every time money comes up how you spent HOW MUCH to sit in a tent in the rain for ten days!

Some peoples lives make these adventures much more stressful than others.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Please explain how that affects you mentally ?? Is it because you can't move around?? Can't see, or just have to hang lose in a tent ??

Weather is not a factor that anyone can control. I have heard of some hunters never leaving base camp or spike camp in their entire hunt due to weather. Very mental, stressful, and unexciting endeavor to sit around day after day because of the weather…

I booked a 10 day guided mountain goat hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska after 7 years of application to draw the tag. We sat in town the first 4 days of my hunt because the planes couldn’t fly in the fog and rain. We finally got to fly out late one afternoon.

We sat the next 2 days at altitude at spike camp after flying in where we could see only about 100 yards in any direction due to fog.

Luckily, Day 7 was a blue bird day and we killed a billie the first morning of the actual hunt. Counting off the days without any hunting or activity on these premium hunts is a mental battle. The actual physical hunting part on Kodiak Island wasn’t that bad.

Good luck on your mountain goat hunt! Pray for good weather, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Jimss]

Every situation may be a little different. The last thing you want to do is blow goats out of an area in the fog that smell you. I would definitely keep wind direction in mind. In addition to having amazing eyes, goats have incredible noses.

With that said, my buddy and I watched some billies for about 3 hours in an almost unapproachable area. A small chunk of clouds/fog moved in for around 30 minutes which gave me time to approach to 100 yards of a nice billy. Although it rained nonstop for the remainder of the day I got a great billy that we packed down the mtn and through the wet jungle to the boat.

 

[NealMustard]

I've had two sets of experiences with mountain hunting in the fog/clouds

1. While goat hunting fog, low clouds, and a constant drizzle has made it impossible to glass up for goats. In that scenario I used my time in the field to get to know the area. Were there areas to safely maneuver from ridge to ridge, bowl to bowl etc. The biggest frustration I've run into with goat hunting is that so much of the terrain you can see isn't huntable from your glassing spot.

It's probably safer to learn your terrain when there isn't en external factor of chasing a big billy pushing you to make bad decisions.

2. While sheep hunting I've managed to find sheep by sound while hiking in the fog. What I'll do is keep walking along the bases of mountains and listening for rockfall. Whenever I hear movement I hold still to listen for continued rockfall which cues me into sheep above me. This hasn't worked while goat hunting yet -I've heard rockfall, but never found the animals.

 

[AK Troutbum]

View attachment 898747

Weather is not a factor that anyone can control. I have heard of some hunters never leaving base camp or spike camp in their entire hunt due to weather. Very mental, stressful, and unexciting endeavor to sit around day after day because of the weather…

I booked a 10 day guided mountain goat hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska after 7 years of application to draw the tag. We sat in town the first 4 days of my hunt because the planes couldn’t fly in the fog and rain. We finally got to fly out late one afternoon.

We sat the next 2 days at altitude at spike camp after flying in where we could see only about 100 yards in any direction due to fog.

Luckily, Day 7 was a blue bird day and we killed a billie the first morning of the actual hunt. Counting off the days without any hunting or activity on these premium hunts is a mental battle. The actual physical hunting part on Kodiak Island wasn’t that bad.

Good luck on your mountain goat hunt! Pray for good weather, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

View attachment 898748

I've hunted, camped, and killed goats on multiple occasions in that exact same area Tom, and yeah, it's definitely one of the easier goat hunts to be had.