Brawling Billy Goats; or, The Winner that Lost...

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Just saw the fighting bucks thread, and it reminded me of a fight my brother and I saw, photographed and ended on our first successful bowhunt for goats a few years ago.

Driving down the station track on the way to the homestead to fetch some more water, we found these two billies going hammer and tongs, not too far from a windmill. Other feral goats, and the station sheep, were bemused spectators.

At first, it seemed like the bigger-horned chap might win.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

However, the fortunes of this battle changed as we watched, and the larger-bodied billy started giving the grey a good clobbering.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

We'd watched for long-enough, and because I was in the passenger seat, I got to grab my brother's 60lb Martin Hunter recurve, and walk down the road to test-out how adrenaline-pumped, usually-skittish-and-shy billies might react to a person strolling up to them with ill intent gleaming in his wild-eye.

As I got to bow-range, the bigger-bodied chap was the only one to present a shot, and by the time I did shoot, the larger-horned beast was in retreat. Besides, I felt that it was disrespectful for the evidently-younger fellow to be picking on an evidently-senior citizen of the wild bush.



Prior to this goat hitting the deck, I had only taken nine animals with the bow-and-arrow, including my first and only two with the compound. So, I suppose I was keen to simply get experience, and the first animal to make the blunder was the one that got hit. But, I do hope to meet a billy like that grey some day!

It was hot as blazes out there, incidentally. Back then, I was convinced of the need for full-sleeve, northern-hemisphere-style hunting clothing. These days, when I hunt goats, I am more practically-clad.

[Zenzele]

Nice pic's mate! Good Billy!  

[Precurve]

Great story as usual Ben!

[Jerry Jeffer]

Awesome!!!!

[vermonster13]

Great pics!

[Chris Surtees]

Pretty cool!!!

[Over&Under]

Awesome Ben!!!  And great photos!!!!  

[Widowbender]

Great Story, Ben!!!...and Awesome photos!!!

David

[BMN]

Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing.

[Jesse Minish]

Awsome pics and story as always Ben.