After more than 20 years of applying and always getting a check back in mid summer, this year I was lucky enough to draw one of four mountain goat tags in central Montana. This tag is for a small but rugged mountain range 30 miles from my home. As fall arrived, preparations were finalized and the hunt was at hand. I wanted to do this the old fashioned way. No outfitter or guide, no payment for private land hunt, no horses or ATV, just go in on foot on public land and do the best you can.

Mountain goats live in the most god awful, miserable, beautiful country there is.
Although these mountains are not tall, they are steep, rocky, cliffy, in short made for goats.

The best part of the hunt for me was that my wife enthusiastically walked every step of the way with me for 6 days. Up steep shale scree, across ridges and peaks with wind gusts up to 50 MPH, down snow covered steep rock slides, always right with me. My only disappointment was that she wasn't able to continue to the conclusion due to our daughter's fall volleyball and basketball schedule. If you have a wife that will gladly do this, a guy doesn't need much more.


After 12 days of hunting, and over 60 miles (as the crow flies by GPS)and several near misses, a good friend and I finally made the right climb, the right stalk, on the right goat. We spotted the goats on top, watched them feed up and over to the backside, and up we went. As we came up over the top and down the back side, we spotted a single goat laying down 7o yards below us. We sat in 20 degree temperature, facing into a 30 MPH wind for over 6 hours waiting for them to get up and move out of doghair thick timber. I have probably been colder, but I don't remember when. When they finally moved, we were able to catch them at the bottom of the slide as they went back up the next ridge. A single shot at 90 yards was anticlimax to a great hunt.


A few final thoughts for those entertaining a mountain hunt:
1. Get in shape. When you think you are in shape get in better shape
2. Get the best boots you can find. Look no further than Kenetrek boots. They are by far the best boots I have ever owned, and are worth their weight in gold. If your legs are tired you can rest, if you're out of breath you can recover, but if you get footsore, you are done.
3. Have fun, stay positive and persevere.


Happy hunting

Congrats to you, that's a really nice looking goat, They are very high on my to do list, sooner rather than later.

That is a great way to get a goat, on your own. Congatulations.

Wow!

Great story, great hunt. What an adventure.

I'd be willing to bet the elation that comes from such an achievement will not wear off soon, and the memories will last a lifetime.
Thanks for the report. I'm green with envy!!!

Best

GWB

great billy - congrats!

Now that's a hunt !!!

FANTASTIC! Very well done sir.

Congrats of the highest caliber! That is just awesome on every level.

Awesome! Congrats on your lifetime dream!

That's a good goat. I did a hunt much like that in 2001. But, mine was in Colorado. Like you, it took me a long time to pull the tag. I applied for 22 years before I got one.

My hunt took place in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area. DIY goat hunts aren't for the weak or timid. It's a rugged and difficult thing to do but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. But I think your goat is a little bigger than mine. Mine went 8 7/8ths on the right horn and 9 1/8th on the left. It was a 6 yr old Billy. That's about as good as you can expect for a Colorado Goat. Montana always produces better goats than Colorado.

Well done Sir. Well done.

Good for you! Now that is a memorable hunt.
I did mine last fall in Nevada, and I think I know your feeling of accomplishment. I also second your advice on getting in shape and good boots. If you get winded climbing into a Tree stand, skip this hunt.

quote:

skip

Congratulations on a hunt that you'll always remember!

Thanks for all the nice responses. Flags, he was 9 3/4 on the right and 9 5/8 on the left. Aged by Fish and Game at 11+ years.

Great accomplishment, and good job!!!

AWESOME! Congrats on drawing a tag like that!

Wow! Dream come true for sure!

congradulations on a well earned trophy.

WOW, Very Cool!

Congratulations on a great goat. Nice long hair, and fantastic horn length. I hope you're getting a full mount, I didn't on mine, and I've regretted it ever since.

I have a greater admiration for DIY trophies.

Congratulations!!
Great, great goat!

dales - you are to be commended for doing your hunt the "old fashioned way". congrats to you and your bride.

Dale,

Awesome story and accomplishment, thanks for sharing. I'm at about 20 years of applying myself and am more excited about a goat than sheep/moose. If you have more pictures you'd be willing to share we'd appreciate it.

Very motivating!

Congrats! That is a dude!

Dale, congrat's on a dandy goat!

I'm still waiting for my tag...

quote:

Originally posted by DaleS:
Thanks for all the nice responses. Flags, he was 9 3/4 on the right and 9 5/8 on the left. Aged by Fish and Game at 11+ years.

Yeah, that's about what I would have guessed him to be. A very, very nice billy.

This is the one I got in Colorado in 2011. I got him at about 13,800 ft in Elevation off Mt Huron in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado. I wish I had better pictures but I was hunting solo and there wasn't many places tp get the camera set up. Besides I had to take care of it all by myself. Spent the night on the mountain because it was dark by the time I got done skinning and boning. That was a very long and very cold night. No firewood, very little food, rocky and only a space blanket. Wouldn't trade that night for anything. The star filled sky that high up is simply incredible. Especially after filling a tag like that.

This was the day after the Twin Towers were attacked. I was so far back in that by the time I made the two trips to bring everything out it was 5 days after the attack. Considering that I was and still am active duty military, this goat represents a time in my life before major changes.

Cheers

Congrats! What a wonderful trophy and hunt!


ddj

Very fine goat. I especially like its long, full hair.

How were the Kenetreks in terms of weight? I just got some Cabela's Meindle Alaska Hunters that fit great and give much support, but they do seem a little heavy.

The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots are about 4 pounds I believe. However the fit, comfort, support and stride of these boots is light years ahead of Meindl. I threw my Meindl boots away after one day of wearing the Kenetreks.

Excellent job! One of these days it'll be my turn to hunt the goats of the high mountains!

Congrats!

Catching up on America after a hunt in Africa.That is one nice goat!I think I know exactly where this goat was taken,but I won't tell.Now, where can the rest of us find a gal who looks so happy and pretty after climbing a frozen mountain?Congratulations on both. Jim

DaleS: what size were those boots you threw away??

Dale S. Congrats on a great hunt done the right way!! You give me hope that someday I will also get a tag rather than a check from MT FWP. I will have 10 points next year so hopefully I can chase them next year.