I had so much fun with Doug McMann and his family in 2012 when we hunted mountain lion and lynx together that I had to go back for another adventure, but this time in the high alpine for mountain goat and mule deer. I recall seeing pictures and hearing many stories of how beautiful it was up there, so I was extremely anxious to witness Doug’s home away from home. My hunt dates were September 1st – 7th. Julie, Doug’s wife, welcomed me with open arms at the airport in William’s Lake and drove myself and another guest of hers back to their beautiful log cabin home.



This time though I was allowed to stay at the main house versus one of their several log cabins on their property, so I must have passed the “test” on my first trip. You could see the mountain range we were going to be hunting from their balcony, but this photo was taken from one of their neighbor’s property.



It took us a few hours by horseback to get us up to the cabin the next day, which would be base camp for the duration of the hunt.



On Monday, we set out to another location a couple hours away, which would allow us to access different areas of goat country. We set up our spike camp and walked a short distance to begin our glassing. We did notice some grizzly and black bear tracks and scat not too far from our camp.




We headed south on the second day of the hunt after not seeing any goats the day before. We had a fairly steep climb, which seemed to never end, but once over the top, the beauty of the landscape and the lakes made you forget about your aching legs.





We experienced everything from sunshine, to rain, to heavy fog, even hail and snow at this location and altitude, which made glassing almost impossible at times.



However, on our trek back, Doug was able to spot what appeared to be a lone goat a few miles away in the cliffs along side a gravel shoot. The next day we had to go back to the same location due to a, let’s say, misunderstanding with the horses and we had to find our missing third horse. Thankfully, Doug was able to retrieve the horse and bring him back uninjured. The suspicious white spot had moved to the opposite side of the gravel shoot, so we knew then it was a goat and started to plan our attack. Doug decided it would be best to pack up and head back to base camp and approach the goat from the opposite side of the mountain, which would place us above the goat if it was to stay in the same general area.
When we returned to base camp and got settled, we decided to head up the hill behind the cabin and glass for deer or wolf, since I had tags for both. Doug spotted a really nice 4x4 mule deer bedded down some distance away about an hour before dark, so we took our chances and put a stalk on. Unfortunately, we were about 5 minutes too late and lost sight of the buck. We then decided that day four was going to be a deer day starting early in the morning. Besides, our bodies needed a rest from climbing.
The next morning we could not locate the buck from the night before, but Doug was able to spot another mature buck. We were able to sneak up to what we thought was approximately 300 yards or so, but my first shot missed low, so my second shot connected with some additional elevation allowed.




We dined on mule deer tenderloins with peppers, onions and baby potatoes that evening and rested up for our goat pursuit the next day. The fifth day started just like the rest with a lengthy horseback ride to get us in the general area.



I was warned of the very steep climb we would have in order to get us on top of the basin where the goat was last located.



We made our way over to the gravel shoot where the goat was last spotted, but it was nowhere to be found. We hiked many miles, high and low, searching for this goat or perhaps others, but none were to be found. We saw lots of goat sign, but no goats. Here is one of my .270 Winchester shells next to a billy track.



Doug insisted we climb higher, so up we went. It was tough walking, at least for me, on the rock fields. On the way up, I stopped and explained to Doug that I had seen this landscape setting before, like déjà vu, and literally 60 seconds later Doug says, “goat.” Doug had me push forward of himself to a grassy bench where I would have a steady rest for the 200 yard shot, as he set up the spotting scope for further observation.



I watched the goat stare at me in my riflescope for what seemed like an eternity. The wind hit me in the back of my neck and the goat began to walk away from us up the rock covered mountain. Doug stated to shoot, as it was a good billy, so he began to whistle in order to turn the goat broadside. As soon as he turned broadside, I placed the bullet directly into the billy’s right shoulder and he collapsed at the shot and expired.




I sure was glad the hunt ended a couple days early this time, so I could relax a bit, help butcher the meat and spend some quality time with Doug’s family and friends. Oh, and I cannot forget Oscar. Thank you again Doug for the wonderful experience.

Craig

Great hunt - congratulations!!

Thanks for the detailed report and photos - sure looked like a great adventure also.

THanks for the story and the beautiful pictures.

Those pictures are great and the scenery is unreal. Pics like those is why I want to go on a goat hunt. I've never met Doug but did exchange emails with him about goats and mountain lions. I must say that Doug was honest with answers and didn't string me along, something that many will do this day in age.

Well done Craig. Great photos and story line.

Nice Report...Thanks
And Congratulations

Congratulations on your hunt. Those are some incredible pictures. I'm looking froward to my early season bear hunt next year with Doug.

Thanks for the great pictures and story....a nice preview for my moose and mule deer hunt next week with Doug!

Phil

Very good report. Awesome pictures.
Huge body on that mule deer.

Spectacular country and a great hunt. What more can you ask for?

Congratulations.
What a great report and photos. Some country to hike in.
Thank you for sharing.

Thank you everyone.


I have so many photos, but this one is pretty neat of Doug:



Craig

It was my pleasure to host you again on another great hunt. Each one is full of memories and laughs.
great country to spend time in hunting anything.

I hope you did not play Pente with his daughter, she cheats and beats you really bad...

Great hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I hope you did not play Pente with his daughter, she cheats and beats you really bad...

Great hunt!

Ross, Courtney says get over it! you must of got your Pente chips stuck in your skirt!

congratulations to the hunter and to the outfitter. A really great hunt in marvelous landscape

Outstanding. I'm looking forward to that hunt in a couple of years.