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.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050470__large.jpg[/img]

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

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050692__large.jpg[/img]

Once on top, I found this guy. I didn't really like where he was...or where he could end up. I moved on.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050528circle.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050555__large.jpg[/img]

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.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050596__large.jpg[/img]

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.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050597__large.jpg[/img]

He was probably about 70 yards and had no idea someone was watching.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050602__large.jpg[/img]

Alright, enough pictures. Time to get the job done. Last picture before I put the camera away and flipped off the safety.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050606__large.jpg[/img]

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.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050623__large.jpg[/img]

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

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050627__large.jpg[/img]

Life is good.....but now the real work begins.

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050648__large.jpg[/img]

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.;)

[img]http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/5/2/7/p1050700__large.jpg[/img]

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

As usual, GREAT pics and writeup... fantastic man, thanks for sharing. Wish I'd been there to haul meat.

Give Axl a pat from me...

That's two of us.

Well, we for sure would have jerked a bunch of it in camp before the final trip out

Excellent!

and I think your a great story teller.

Nothing compares or is as rewarding as high mountain hunting it's the best!

Good job!

edited to add...

Also curious as to what pack you used?

Thanks for the pictures and story,I'm glad you got your critter,and A fine 1 AT THAT.

mtmiller
A lotta people couldn't do what you did, nor tell it as well.

Fred

Awesome...

Nice job, and as usual, superior pictures. Hope I can draw a goat tag someday.

Carl

cool , he would make a nice life size mount.

Wow, great pics and story!

Pretty neat.

Awesome goat! The ability to take pictures of the goat you shot and then to shoot him is incredible. Wish I had the opportunity to do that. I was hunting goats a few weeks ago myself, but never had the opportunity. Fantastic photos and magnificent billy. He'll make an excellent mount.
Test

Great job, Congrats!
I can only dream such stuff.

Jeff

Great pic's and story! Thanks for sharing!

Just awesome!! I hope just like everyone else I can draw a goat one of these days.

VCongrats on the great goat and nice story telling with the pics.

great report !!

Stunning.

Sure looks like the PERFECT hunt, way to go.

congratz on a super hunt and good luck making up to Axl.....

just think how much warmer you'd of been to have him along

Dober

Mark, you KNOW he'd have been WETTER... Axl is a Lab after all

Those buggers do know how to find water and then deposit it all over a guy!

Congrats and thanks for the great write up.


Travis

Great pics and great story. Congrats on the goat. Being able to do it all and have the success you did is what it is all about. I would have liked to have been there to help glass and spot and would have been happy to help bring him out.

Dave

Congrats on a great hunt. Thanks for sharing the pics and the account. Can you share how you got the zoom pics. Especially that one you passed on.
Chris.

Great goat!

Which area were you in? Is it the same area you got your other MT goat?

Did you ever book that 2009 goat hunt in Canada?

Thanks all.

Chris, I have been shooting a Panasonic Lumix for quite a few years. Not a very expensive camera, but great optical zoom. The model I am currently shooting is the FZ8. I would love to have a great SLR, but the Panasonic is much smaller and if it falls into the pond I won't break down and cry. Optical zoom is 12X and I get decent digital upto 24X (probably what the first goat was shot at).

Kodiak, I will PM you the area I drew. This is the same unit I drew back in 2000.

I did book a goat hunt in BC for next year with an outfitter I met in Reno at the RMEF Convention back in February. If I had known I would draw a second MT tag I probably would have never booked the Canada hunt. Oh well, I am running out of years to get up the mountain and I am getting used to being broke anyway.

Good hunting luck to all.

thanks for sharing.thats the way to be man.very boss

Thanks mtmiller,
That must be some camera & photographer! There's a thread on the photography board discussing the current Lumix (FZ28) http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2008/09/30/the-spider-bull-elk-is-down/

I'm trying to figure out how I can rationalize another camera to fill the gap between my DSLR and my pocket sized canon that usually goes hunting with me (SD400). It doesn't help that the wife is an accountant

Well done! Congratulations!

Very impressive! Congrats on a great hunt! I admire your ability to take the photos before pulling the trigger. The second I saw the goat I would have dropped the camera and grabbed the rifle and missed those great photos.
You did well!

One of the best hunt reports along with photos I've seen here yet.

Congratulations and thanks for taking the time.

Nice job!