For those of us that do not much like to climb K2 or Everest or Denali, is there a goat hunt that requires serious physical effort but not particularly dangerous in terms of "steepness"?

Would a "boat" hunt be the ticket?

Is there an area that does not require getting to 10,000' altitude?

I would like to go, but do not want to cart my 50+ year old body over terrain that requires serious mountain climbing skills.

Thanks

Ross,

Absolutely! The late season goat hunts in SE AK are just what you described. They may require a small amount of climbing but can be very successful, produce excellent trophies with beautiful coats and use a comfy boat for a camp. They are expensive hunts but they are the only way to go if you want a great goat but not the bust ass expereince.

Call me if you'd like to discuss a hunt.

Mark

Dogcat, keep us informed. It bothers me that I have never whacked a goat .... not much chance of getting drawn in Alberta ... busy hunting other varmints ... hate heights so I would have to hunt valley goats.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Ross,

Absolutely! The late season goat hunts in SE AK are just what you described. They may require a small amount of climbing but can be very successful, produce excellent trophies with beautiful coats and use a comfy boat for a camp. They are expensive hunts but they are the only way to go if you want a great goat but not the bust ass expereince.

Call me if you'd like to discuss a hunt.

Mark

I should have known to call you first as you an Alaskan.
Thanks for the reply. I will call this week.

Also sent you an email on another subject.

dogcat- See my Nov. 15 post about a goat hunt I did with Bruce Parker early last month by boat south of Juneau. Its a more doable goat hunt for us older guys(I'm 73). I did the more conventional climbing goat hunt with back pack two years ago; the most physicalling demanding thing I think I ever did. Bruce has a very successful operation. Suggest you call him. You can check out his website, www.alaskaboathunts.com or call him @ 907-747-6026. His base is in Sitka.

In comparison, some of the areas on Kodiak are not as difficult as other mountain ranges. You start at sea level and many of the peaks are not much over 3000 feet. So depending on where you live the altitude is not as dramatic as hunting in the Canadian/Colorado Rockies. All that said. Busting the first mile or so of brush to get above the alders can be a killer if you are cutting your own trail. I absolutely love hunting Kodiak. That place is amazing!

I would have to agree that Kodiak can be mild compared to some other areas of the state for goats. Go earlier in the season and in some areas you can land on an alpine lake to save the climb up. I hunted Zachar River in October 2 years ago and walked from salt because the lakes were frozen. Of course you have to draw a tag to hunt Kodiak but for some of the areas the odds are pretty good..
JD

now that marks got his business plug in here, i'll vote for kodiak as well. Alot of the hunts on the road system are just day hunts with no back pack, leave the truck in the morning and have a goat in the back of the truck sitting at Henry's eating supper by 5.
The boat deal would probably be just as good and more comfortable. All depends what you looking for as far as "easy". Do you want a monster easy billy or just an easy goat....stuff like that.

I do my goat hunts on Baranof Island and the last hunt we did in December was a easy goat hunt back to town at ten with a goat ,but this is the exception and not the rule. I think my other seven hunters would tell you it was the hardest hunt they have done.We have taken goats very low late season but as the snow flys it gets harder to find them and get at them and seems the smaller ones are always lower than the big billi's. Weather is a big factor in Goat hunts . We had a good November and December so we did good on Late season this year.

I vouch for Kodiak as a relatively easy goat hunt. Much easier than anything in southeast. Try for the DG477 permit on Kodiak. Little brush, good access and plenty of goats.

Do yourself a favor. Set you sights high. Hit the gym, pound some pavement, stomp some bleachers and have the trip of a lifetime in Southeast! You'll live longer (for the exercise) or die happy (from the exertion).
Don
PS I'm 48 in this photo, and if I didn't have spikes (Caulks) on my boots, I'd have been sliding!

Great Picture Doc .... remember this one !!!!

A picture of your spike (Caulk) boots !!!!

Kodiak gets my vote for what it's worth. If you get er done early go after deer.