Howdy guys..

I am scheduled to head north and hunt goats for the last 10 days of Oct.. It will be my 1st goat hunt and only my 3rd hunt in Canada.
Just looking for some basic info from you seasoned goat hunters and BC locals. We'll be hunting in the Glacier, Kootenay, and Yoho areas (we'll be based out of Golden).

What will the averge weather (if there is such a thing in BC) be like during these 10 days? Will the goats' location on the mountains be dependant on the snowmass bringing them down? Any rain chances?

In this area, is the trophy potential the same as the northwest coast or do the goats tend to be a bit smaller in body and horn due to being well into the interior? Any "averages" that I could use as a barameter (ie horn size for this area). I am also hoping that the dates we've picked have allowed the billies to hair up too by the time we arrive!

Shot distance on goats?? I am practicing out to 450yds, but I am of the school that closer is ALWAYS better. If I can find any way to get closer, I will always choose that. I know its all circumstancial, but what would you guys say the average shot is over in the area?

During these dates, will the billies be cruising the nannies? I am really looking forward to learning firsthand the in's and out's of differentiating the billies from the nannies on the hoof. All the pictures online in the world can only prepare you so much! Nothing like the real thing in your spotting scope to learn!

Any other info you guys can throw my way would be greatly appreciated.. I am really looking forward to this hunt. I'm looking forward to the cold, snow and a chance to pursue a unique animal.

Scotty,

I'm not a native BC'er but have hunted sheep there and came across a LOT of goats. Hunting BC for goats will seem like a cakewalk compared to hunting AK. There's actually vegetation like grass to walk up and the mountains where we were the goats were all easily accessible.

Told my guide that I wished I had done my goat hunt there instead of AK. (course it didn't help that both of mine were in Nov.).

If it's the last 10 days of Oct you'll more than likely get snowed on. I will say that I'd be surprised if you didn't get your goat in the first 3 days. We saw that many!

And I've never heard of any horn size being better from one area to another. Heck, a good one is only about 9".

I am booked to hunt Mt. Goat in the Kootenays in October for next year.
My outfitter told me shots out to 300 yards.
They also told me we would be hunting between 3500 and 6500 ft.
Great hair quality that time of year. Not sure about the horns, but should be trophy quality.
Good Luck.
W.

ScottBoy, as you have been around this rodeo for awhile, some take offense with my frined from BC but when it comes to hunting the area you are going you can take what it says straight to "the bank". You can bet when I go I will be leaning a heavy shoulder on the "old goat" (Dewey's)direction.

Scottyboy, I hope you have a great time on your hunt. I do think Northwestern BC holds the biggest goats but where you are hunting like Dewey said over nine is acheivable. You will be pleased with the shape of your hide that time of year, I don't know why more don't come later.
Enjoy the province.

Dewey,
Please let me know if anything I posted was not true. I am going completly by what the Outfitter told me.
Good Luck Scotty,
W.

Scottyboy there was snow in your goat area a couple weeks ago and it snowed again today, mind you it wont last long be gone tomorrow if it clears up tonight, thats up high rained down lower. I will watch for your threads and post more weather reports as it gets closer to your hunt time. A 9 inch plus billy is a reasonable expectation for the area you are headed into.

Dewey,

Didn't mean to offend anyone. I found that hunting anywhere in Canada is preferable to where I've hunted in AK. My sheep hunts in AK were all steep hills over shale. Lots and lots of shale. My hunts in Canada have been mostly grass covered. Rarely did I ever have to take three steps to gain one (we all know this when climbing over steep shale).

This isn't Scotty's first hill/mountain. I'll wait for his report and maybe he'll be kind enough to make a comparison.

Knowing what I've experienced, I'd hunt Canada over AK simply for the ease of getting around. I haven't seen any consistent size of horn being better in one country over another. FWIW, on goats, I look more at the length of hair than length of horn for a true trophy. But, to each their own.

snowed up high again last night some areas about half way down the mountain.
Has gotten a few of the elk going.
Some trekking poles can come in handi and Im gona get some katahola micro spikes and put them in the pack and give them a try this year.
One thing that has been happening in the kootenays the last few years is late rains then frezzing, so the ground is getting frozen before the snow falls making for some slippery walking. Last year was bad with rain then freeze and then snow in minus 20 weather, we had any where from 6inches to a foot of snow up high but no tracksion in it at all. The poles saved us many times, this was in the later part of November though.

Really looking forward to hearing how the hunt pans out! Have a good one!

Great info herein......I can't wait for the report (and to hunt BC).

Keep the info coming, gents.. Good stuff.

I may look into the mini spikes. That may be a damn useful item to have on hand should the need arise.

Def will have the trekking poles on hand. May pack my lucky wooden walking staff along with too (just barely fits into my gun case with the gun).

Sage, thanks for the weather updates.. I am keeping the fingers crossed for no late rains. Ice is just no fun at all..

I have to say what many are thinking....Dewey needs to write a book on his half century of adventures, skills, advice and experiences in the rugged BC mountains. It would surely be a best seller for hunters. Not kidding Dewey, your worthy of it. The kind of knowledge and expertise you have is priceless for many. We get bits and pieces here & there on AR but having a book on it would be great..and much of what you know can be applied in many other remote and rugged location. What ya think?

Well have had some really hot weather for awhile but rained last night with a dusting of snow on top. Socked in right now and looks like more rain coming. A friend has seen a few billys that were harvested in the zone across the valley from where you will be and said the hides looked nice, youstill have a month which will only make them better. Curious as to if your driving up or flying.

Thanks for the weather report, Sage. I appreciate it!
I had heard it has been unseasonably warm up there this fall. Glad we took the later dates.

We are doing both, as far as travel is concerned. I flew on miles and it took me to Calgery. We rented an SUV and we are going to drive over the next day after landing in AB. I think its about 4-5 hours. But the drive is one of the most spectacular in all North America, I hear. Through the heart of Banff and Lake Louise. I am looking forward to it!

We just got back from caribou hunting in northern Manitoba. We were almost to the border. I hunted a day or two in long sleeve t shirt. I was shocked. I would have to guess that most of western Canada has been a bit warm for this time of year.

Good luck.

I will keep you posted on the weather. Is there a couple of you headed up on the hunt? If your successful early and the outfitter has nothing for you to do I may be able to show you around abit. Depending on timing we may be out chasing a few animals around as well.

Larry
With the warm weather, how'd yall fare on the 'bou hunt?

Sage, PM sent your way.

We took 12 between 6 of us. A few may make B&C if entered.

It was interesting. On the worst weather days, we saw tens of thousands of geese headed south. When it cleared up, we saw virtually none.

Hi Scottyboy,
Dewey is giving you some good advice and I'll just add a little. I hunt in that area fairly often and I'll just say it's steep, thick and potentially (likely) wet and cold. I find the mountains there in general to be quite a bit steeper than in the north of our province and the terrain just tougher. The climate lets the bush get pretty thick down low. Your shots could be long for sure but you never know.

T-minus 6 days.. but who's counting??!

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:
T-minus 6 days.. but who's counting??!

I am! Looking forward to your report.
Best wishes for a safe and successful hunt.