It's funny that after 7 years I finally have a tag for one of the two animals I've moved to Colorado for, a Colorado Mountain Goat (sheep is the other). I know some buddies have been ribbing me about drawing a tag with only 7 points ( some have twice this many points and didn't pull this same tag).
This is kind of a different hunt with extreme elevations and long long hikes just to get into huntable country. I hope to keep this tread going though the summer and update my season once it opens. I will also go over some of my gear if the questions arise.
Be back in a bit with a few pics from this weekend.
The best of luck,Adam.
I really hope to see your hero pics!
For now congrats for the licence..
Ah goats, my dream hunt. Lucky you to draw a tag. I don't know if I could even do a goat hunt physically now but I hope you have a great adventure......enjoy!!
Have fun!
Starting out is my gear, same setup for scouting and hunting. Hopefully some of this will help out the guys who drew some other high country tags.
Pack is a T2 from Kifaru, best light pack I've used hands down.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0112_zpsa259917e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0112_zpsa259917e.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0114_zpsf4606414.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0114_zpsf4606414.jpg.html)
Optics, buy the best you can afford! I've tried everything I can get my hands on, and actually couldn't see the difference between the Vortex Viper HDs, love them and they are under a grand. I feel that for the price, they can't be beat hands down! (they are 10x50s) Optics don't mean anything if you can't hold them still! Get a tripod, I can't stress this enough. I found that the Ravelli carbon is hard to beat for the price. Its a little over 3 pounds but also was under 100bucks, will see how many years it lasts, so far so good.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0113_zpsc15066db.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0113_zpsc15066db.jpg.html)
On my pack I have a pod from kifaru, and this holds all of my food and stove for any hunt. I like it set up like this as i can drop it fast when needed. The soto stove is the best I've used over 13k, my other stoves I've had really crapped out up high.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0115_zpsca68afa9.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0115_zpsca68afa9.jpg.html)
My tent is a Go lite tipi and for a few hundred bucks i would put it up against any other tipi out there including my beloved Kifaru. Holds up in high wind and hasn't had any problems with high volume early snows. I do use the floor with it but only roll it out half way to keep things clean when wet.
Just keeping it short for now.
This weekend me and the girlfriend hit some 'easy' to get to areas where I've seen goats in the past. Mostly we were mapping out areas to access in the future. I probably wont hunt this area unless a good billy shows up and I can get in on him before the rifle hunters come out. The north half of my unit allows rifle hunters, later in the season. My tag is good for the hole unit and runs almost two months, archery only.
Some pics from this weekend
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0027_zpsbeb5d8e6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0027_zpsbeb5d8e6.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0029_zps73ec6f03.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0029_zps73ec6f03.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_00172_zpse8ebdd62.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_00172_zpse8ebdd62.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0019-1_zps738bbe11.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0019-1_zps738bbe11.jpg.html)
We weren't able to spot any goats, witch we expected do to lots of snow and limited access from closed roads.
My little dog thats always with scouting, and even tags along when we take the hounds out for cats.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0046_zps83f473df.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0046_zps83f473df.jpg.html)
This coming weekend (roads open on the 1st) I'll be in and should have some pictures of some goats. Only have Saturday to do it, so will see. After that I will have several days at a time.
What a dream hunt! This is going to be a great thread.
If you feel someone looking over your shoulder as you climb around those mountains that would be me!
Congratulations on the goat tag. I'd would say good luck, but it appears you are doing everything to make your own.
My only advice would be to rent a couple of horses for three or four months, including the two month season. if the better areas are a distance in you will be able to cover a lot more territory and spend more time behind the optics.
Adam you couldn't take enough photos, write enough words, what a great hunt! Im very excited for you. Be safe in your travels.
This sounds good!!! Good luck
I think I see a hippie bathing in that water fall.
Thanks guys, saying im pumped is a understatement! Walt Francis I have access to a few horse, getting them in safe to where I hunt will be a challenge. A good part of my scouting will be just trying to get them in there. I'm looking at about 5 mile pack in to where I want to actually start hunting, most would be about 10 miles in. Horses would be nice if I can make it happen. I have the time to take the season off, but going to start with the month of September and add on if needed.
I am looking forward to following your preparation and hunt.
So far it is looking good form here :thumbsup:
Morning Star lol I know I will be running into a few lol. The 14ers draw them like patchouli oil.
Good luck Adam!
Good luck and thanks for the updates!!
Thanks for taking us along..great thread.
All the best to you buddy!! (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/mountaingoat.jpg)
Adam, congratulations on the draw. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this post. Thanks for letting us tag along and good luck on this amazing adventure!
Awesome dude! Well All be following along..
Right on. This will be as close as I am going to get to any mountain goats this year unless Montana comes thru. Keep it cominig :thumbsup:
Congratulations on the tag..!!
Good luck.. I'll be following this for sure.
Congrats! Have fun and good luck! :campfire: :coffee:
Good luck.....I will be checking in on your progress.
Good luck.
Goats have to be the ultimate bowhunting challenge.
We spotted these two on a backpacking trip to Kings Peak in Utah and my first thought was "how would you ever get a bow shot?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Kings%20Peak%202011/P1000366.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LostArrow/media/Kings%20Peak%202011/P1000366.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Kings%20Peak%202011/P1000369.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LostArrow/media/Kings%20Peak%202011/P1000369.jpg.html)
Congrats! I love to see that you are doing it yourself so to speak. It is the ultimate test of a bowhunters skill. Cannot wait to hear the rest of the story! Good hunting!
I will definitely be watching this through to the end! Looks to be an awesome adventure no matter the outcome. Good Luck to ya Adam!! :campfire:
Steve
Congrats! This will be fun to follow.
Nice gear too, BTW!
Congrats on the tag! I have been lucky enough to draw 2 Co. goat tags so know what a trip you will have.
Thanks for sharing this with us, love the photos of the high country. Good luck! Dan
Good luck to you on this outstanding adventure!!
Good Hunting! Adam
Glad to see a tag go to someone who still has the youth and the drive to get up there with the goats. Looking forward to your adventure.
Great thread!
Thanks for all the kind words, just ordered a new camera. Hopefully it will be here for the weekends scouting trip.
Congrats on the tag...love the pics of the country you're hunting.
Good luck to you sir!
What an adventure...best of luck! Looking forward to the hunt stories. :campfire:
Good luck on this adventure, and thanks for including us. I am very interested in your gear and how it performs throughout the scouting and hunt periods. Which bow are you using, arrows, broadheads, etc? Hope I draw my CO goat tag before I am too old.
Will be watching intently! Best of luck for sure.
:campfire:
Keep us posted and good luck !
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010310.jpg) (http://s639.photobucket.com/user/elkken/media/P1010310.jpg.html)
You are doing it right by LOTS of preseason scouting. I once wasted half a goat hunt just trying to figure out how to get up the face of the mountain I was hunting. I was not prepared. Best of luck to you and be safe, goats can be in some of the toughest terrain to hunt.
Congrats, you have a great start already! :thumbsup:
Hope to see a pic of you with a goat. Good luck man!!
Be safe!!
That would be an awesome hunt, much different than treestand hunting for deer and turkey hunts in Iowa. Very challenging to say the least, will be cool to watch this thread! Good luck!
Goat hunting is awesome!
Good luck on your hunt!!
What a magnificent pic Elkken
Good luck! :bigsmyl:
Congratulations on drawing the tag!!! I am really looking forward to following this thread!
Another great one to watch this fall.
Congrats and good luck!
This trip is going to be fun to follow!
lol have to add the picture of me looking like a complete jack-wagon. Got a white suit to add to the secret weapons of getting close to goats. Lots of guys are saying its the only way to go! Yes I will add shoes for my hunt lol.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/2013%20hunting/IMG_0077_zps6482f019.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/2013%20hunting/IMG_0077_zps6482f019.jpg.html)
Very nice! I am looking forward to following along!
QuoteOriginally posted by gehrke145:
lol have to add the picture of me looking like a complete jack-wagon. Got a white suit to add to the secret weapons of getting close to goats. Lots of guys are saying its the only way to go! Yes I will add shoes for my hunt lol.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/2013%20hunting/IMG_0077_zps6482f019.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/2013%20hunting/IMG_0077_zps6482f019.jpg.html)
Ahhh, the ol' reverse ninja trick...very interesting...
If you need an idiot to carry your gear, I've got time to get in shape.
Good luck on this one. I'll be watching.
homebru
Homebru, maybe if your interested. I have a buddy coming out to film from Wi but one extra might be possible. Scouting for sure if you want to burn some boot leather. Shoot me a pm I'll be heading up your way next weekend to visit the parents and shoot some video
This guy wore all white to get close also :thumbsup:
http://www.tradgang.com/videos/schafer/psgoat1.wmv
This should be good, good luck and keep up the hard work! I'll be watching this thread.
Butts2, I watched those clips more times then I want to admit.
Well the first day of roads being open starts with my alarm not working, so didn't get out of the house until 745am. Also my new camera did not arrive so things started a little slow.
It took 1.5 hours to get to the area I wanted to hike. I never came in from this side of the mountain and was worried about cliffs and un-passable rocks. The hike in was better then I had hoped, the maps on google earth paid off. Also it only took us about 3 hours to get into goat country (was planning closer to 5)
We sat down and stretched out our legs.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0136_zps6138b48a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0136_zps6138b48a.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0139_zpsf716134c.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0139_zpsf716134c.jpg.html)
A few minutes like this.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0180_zpsc5fc6792.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0180_zpsc5fc6792.jpg.html)
And we were able to pick a few out between the snow patches.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0167_zpsf3a09e23.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0167_zpsf3a09e23.jpg.html)
I don't know if right know I am more jealous of you or all my friends bear hunting in Manitoba...I do know who I will be more jealous of in August!
A few more pics of the closest group.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0151_zpsb726bca1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0151_zpsb726bca1.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0153_zpsbc6b14d5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0153_zpsbc6b14d5.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/wifishkiller/posted%20pics/IMG_0170_zps0f1c0f86.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wifishkiller/media/posted%20pics/IMG_0170_zps0f1c0f86.jpg.html)
To the right you can see a few more on the mountain behind this basin.
You're living a dream. Thanks for sharing.
I'm pulling for you. Knock'em dead......literally.
:thumbsup:
Awesome pictures! This is going to be an epic thread. Goats are a dream for me that may never happen, so I'm going to relish this hunt through your eyes.
To quote Whip " GOATS ARE A DREAM FOR ME THAT MAY NEVER HAPPEN , SO I'M GOING TO RELISH THIS HUNT THROUGH YOUR EYES" good luck. I like the white outfit!!!!!
I have some white shoes left over from my Navy Days if you want to borrow them to go with your reverse ninga outfit:) Good Luck! I'll be following this thread. How long did it take you to pull this tag, it's one that I haven't been putting in for, been concentrating on sheep and moose.
best of luck. I'd invest in some white gloves and white sleeves for my bow limbs if I was doing the reverse ninja. I like where your head is at on that one though lol
Great thread that many, including myself, will be following. Good luck!
I've got 10 points for goats. I've got to follow this thread for sure.
Congrats on the tag. I will be keeping an eye on this thread. Your scouting pics are absolutely amazing. Good luck on your upcoming scouting and good luck on the hunt as well. I'm sure your work this summer will pay off big!
Thanks for all the kind words guys. Headed out this weekend for a 2 or 3 nighter. Going to actually stalk a few, and i finally got my new camera!
Great thread and gear list. I look forward to following along on this adventure. Wishing you good luck.
Doc
This is part of what makes trad gang so special. Guys take the time to "take us along" on their adventures. Best of luck on this adventure. I eagerly look forward to the scouting progress, prepwork and ultimately the hunting reports from you. Best of luck!
My daughter worked as a park ranger in Utah and few years ago i was out with her and seen my first wild moutain goats.
I can truley respect the task at hand because the high elevation kicked my butt!!!
George
Well been a while since I've posted. Still nursing a jacked up right hand so haven't been shooting or doing to much climbing. I have continued to find new access routs into goat country. Everything is going as it should other then the hand and the fires that are spreading across the state.
I love that high country !!
Enjoy every moment..
Great photos! August is right around the corner :bigsmyl:
If you have not done so already, recommend you get a look at a book called "A Beast the Color of Winter" by Douglas Chadwick. I read it some time ago and found it to be very useful.
:campfire: