I'm making plans for a Mountain Goat hunt. I'm thinking of hunting the Kootney area. I know the goats are bigger on the coast and there is less pressure up north.
At this time I'm looking at four outfitters: Packhorse Creek, Elk Valley Bighorn, Grizzly Basin & AZ Outfitters.
I'm looking for information on these outfitters or any other in the area you would recommend.

Thanks

You probably have a chance at a goat with the 4 you mentioned I no the recent goat count numbers are good in A/Zs area and he just purchased the neighbouring area as well so does have more permits available.

A/Z Outfitters it is. Booked for Oct 13-21 of this year. Time to start working out seriously.

Good luck. Look forward to seeing some pics of your billy.

quote:

Originally posted by Nevada Wapati:
A/Z Outfitters it is. Booked for Oct 13-21 of this year. Time to start working out seriously.

Which area are you booked for the new or old one

Evening, I won't share outfit names but one of my goat guides (I'm on the north coast) also did a hunt with a Kootenay outfit last fall. He went there during a cancellation that happened for us when a client rolled his quad at home, and was a little startled. There were several hunters out, not one goat down, and the goats were a lot smaller on average than what he was used to on the coast. I'm just getting a feel for all who's on here and if this outfitter is, he may have more of the story, sometimes it's not the outfitter's fault on goats. There's no more physical hunt on the continent.

For the same money, you can hunt the North Coast and see scenery that can't be described, and bigger goats. Whether you're looking at us or my neighbours my sincere recommendation is go to the top book region for any species, goats currently are like being able to hunt and Alaska-Yukon bull Moose for the price of an Alberta Moose hunt, all the prices are pretty consistent and comparable.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus Morrison:
Evening, I won't share outfit names but one of my goat guides (I'm on the north coast) also did a hunt with a Kootenay outfit last fall. He went there during a cancellation that happened for us when a client rolled his quad at home, and was a little startled. There were several hunters out, not one goat down, and the goats were a lot smaller on average than what he was used to on the coast. I'm just getting a feel for all who's on here and if this outfitter is, he may have more of the story, sometimes it's not the outfitter's fault on goats. There's no more physical hunt on the continent.

For the same money, you can hunt the North Coast and see scenery that can't be described, and bigger goats. Whether you're looking at us or my neighbours my sincere recommendation is go to the top book region for any species, goats currently are like being able to hunt and Alaska-Yukon bull Moose for the price of an Alberta Moose hunt, all the prices are pretty consistent and comparable.

Interesting angle, your just trying to get a feel for who is on the site. Wont say who your talking about but kind of bash them and pump up your own area. You can send a message if you want on what kootenay outfitter you are talking about. So do you have openings for this year and do you have any late oct/nov hunts when goat hides are better and longer for some are more interested in that then making the book.
Any chance you could post up some pics of the goats you have taken in the last 4/5 years only shows a couple on your web site.
Thanks

Morning, and a good observation, I'm going to have heavy biases. I bought my territory and started my operation 2015 (year's on my logo as well on the site), so two years is spot on and another good observation. It's very much a goat centric endeavour as that's the region's claim to fame, with Grizzlies and Moose for colour. I'm booked except for one grizz tag as of last month for 2017 unless I can bring another guide on that I trust, unlikely, 2018 is 1/3rd booked.

I'll encourage coastal goats over inland inevitably, as with any species in the prime regions, and as you've noticed I do business here. I'm not going to try and tell a client shopping a moose with a Yukon outfit I'll beat their bulls on average, if ever in that case. And by the same token nobody, even inland outfitters are going to try and argue there's more or bigger goats away from the coast. And there are drawbacks here, the weather is far more severe, it's steeper often. But that weather means longer hair earlier too, that terrain means you'll never see a competing hunter or resident... I can definitely understand a horse operation's argument on goats inland for hunters of more limited physical condition. Everything is a spectrum.

When you can hunt better ground for a species at the same price whether it's moose, sheep, bears, or goats I do feel it's worth doing. And as you've obviously deduced I have my bias, this isn't only my operation's home it's my home, grew up on the BC coast and rather married to it. The populations are denser (I have no limit on over the counter goat quota, for instance, no inland operations with those populations), the goats bigger, the prices comparable, the weather far worse. And yep we hunt Oct and Nov absolutely, just bring our friend Helly Hansen.

To be frank this part of hunting, the business side is a point of mild discomfort for me. I wish it was possible to make a living hunting without it, as it sullies the sport some. Guys like myself with an interest and angle are tempted to express things they've learned about competitors, and it never, ever ends well. I've yet to engage in a good old fashioned mud slinging and think it better I don't start now. My information is from my guide also biased to our area is on one hunt block and two groups of the season, one he did one he didn't. That's not a large enough sample to start a fight over, hence the guarded position you perceived rather easily.

Angus

And goats, bear in mind ours are almost always wet, so the hair is matted, in a bleached mount they'll popcorn.

You are right Angus, the best goats in BC hands down, but one of the most demanding hunts as well.
I have done 6000 ft of elevation in a day to kill a good billy in the past. You might say young and dumb.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus Morrison:
Evening, I won't share outfit names but one of my goat guides (I'm on the north coast) also did a hunt with a Kootenay outfit last fall. He went there during a cancellation that happened for us when a client rolled his quad at home, and was a little startled. There were several hunters out, not one goat down, and the goats were a lot smaller on average than what he was used to on the coast. I'm just getting a feel for all who's on here and if this outfitter is, he may have more of the story, sometimes it's not the outfitter's fault on goats. There's no more physical hunt on the continent.

For the same money, you can hunt the North Coast and see scenery that can't be described, and bigger goats. Whether you're looking at us or my neighbours my sincere recommendation is go to the top book region for any species, goats currently are like being able to hunt and Alaska-Yukon bull Moose for the price of an Alberta Moose hunt, all the prices are pretty consistent and comparable.

Angus, As I stated in my original post, I'm aware that the goats are bigger on the coast. I chose to hunt the Kootney's, not the coast. I was looking for a horseback hunt and a total experience, not just the biggest billy. At my age this will be an adventure that I can be challenged on and still enjoy. The coastal mountains, while beautiful are likely more "Fun" than I want.
I thoroughly researched and spoke to references of the outfitters that I originally posted. I feel very good about hunting with Brent and A/Z Outfitters.

If you wish to advertise yourself and your area feel free to start your own post. I'm happy where I'm going.

Thanks Doug, it's a heck of a ride and on goats nowhere else like it. Nevada I understand and imagine you've likely hunted the Kootenays or have good recommendations from people you trust. You know what to expect and know you like the region, I can understand that. You'll have to forgive me for having a horse in the race and offering thoughts on populations and goats, opportunities to share north coast goat hunting merits are tempting to a guy like me as I believe they're undervalued. Most still don't know where the top book goats come from, unlike moose, brown bears, elk, or whitetails which in our community is much more common knowledge. In fairness you explained in your initial post you're aware.

For horses, the inland hunts are the only games in town, and absolutely understand your reasoning on horseback. Also definitely have my biases and drum to beat on north coastal goat hunting. This said, on hunt experiences, those are extraordinary on a high altitude alpine lake fly in backpack goat hunt too needless to say. Wish you a great hunt, it will go great and I like what you have to say about hunting experiences, I do the same when I hunt abroad as a client. You can't lose with that perspective and it's refreshing and admirable perspective to hear as the focus. Memories go to the grave, eighth inches of horn not so much. If a horseback mountain excursion is the sought memory you're off to wonderful ground for it.

Angus

quote:

Originally posted by Nevada Wapati:
A/Z Outfitters it is. Booked for Oct 13-21 of this year. Time to start working out seriously.

Curious as to how your hunt went, if you don't mind sharing.