I don't post here a bunch, but have learned a lot from "Backpack Hunting" at the Campfire.
I posted this on another board, but thought I would share some pics and my experience here as well. Thanks to those that share information and opinions in this section.
Anyway, I was lucky enough to draw a MT goat tag this year and had a fulfilling hunt.
I am not much for storytelling, but obviously not afraid to throw out lots of pics.:D
For those of you that don�t want to wade through a bunch of pics to get the money shot, here is a pic of my 2008 Montana mountain goat on the ground.
Home sweet home for 3 nights. The last night it was very cold. I was pretty dehydrated so filled the water bottle and when I woke up at 2 am and it was frozen solid. After beating the crap out of the bottle and prying on my ski boot like Lowas to get back to the creek I was back in business. Cold, but back in business.
First morning up the mountain. Cloud layer was pretty low and when it did clear from time to time I was not able to find goats where they were in July (go figure).:D
Visibility, but nothing to see.
Looking the other way. Still no goats yelling "over here, over here".
I started the morning somewhere waaaaay down there.:D
Well nothing in this basin, better head up through the saddle and see what is over there.
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A little steep at the saddle, but I made it through. Woulda sucked breaking an ankle while trying to beat the 10 second timer on the camera.:D
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Once on top, I found this guy. I didn't really like where he was...or where he could end up. I moved on.
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Only a 1/4 mile further, I spotted a few goats and got down to glass one bedded in an opening. Small white dot above, 1 o,clock of the obvious goat (at the base of the rocks). I was trying to decide whether the one was a billy when this other guy walked out right in front of me.
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I am far from an expert on judging goat horn length, but am an expert on knowing when I am having a good time and when I would be happy to take a critter home. This one will fit the bill.
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He was probably about 70 yards and had no idea someone was watching.
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Alright, enough pictures. Time to get the job done. Last picture before I put the camera away and flipped off the safety.
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I shot this guy at 62 yards. I put the crosshairs low in the chest and squeezed the trigger. He bucked and I lost him in the trees. I watched escape zones for a couple minutes to make sure he wasn't going to give me the slip and then headed down to where I lost sight of him.
Cool, he went about 15 yards and piled up at the base of a tree.
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There were 3 or 4 other goats on this mountain that I spotted before I spotted this guy. I lost interest glassing up there after the fact.:D
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Life is good.....but now the real work begins.
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Two days and three trips off the mountain and I am shot. Not many pictures taken after this point. Not sure I could have seen much through the view finder anyway with the sweat pouring off.
At least finding a scenic water fountain was not a problem.;)
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One of my most fulfilling hunts, but for now I am very happy to be sitting behind the computer.
Hopefully feeling better by tomorrow as I think Axl is a little pissy for not being invited and wants to chase some ducks this weekend.
This state don't suck.:D