Life in the Mountains, Colorado Mountain Goat hunt! Goats located!

[Gehrke145]

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.

[cacciatore]

The best of luck,Adam.
I really hope to see your hero pics!
For now congrats for the licence..

[ron w]

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!!

[awbowman]

Have fun!

[Gehrke145]

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.
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

[Gehrke145]

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




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.


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.

[Whip]

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!

[Walt Francis]

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.

[Sockrsblur]

Adam you couldn't take enough photos, write enough words, what a great hunt! Im very excited for you. Be safe in your travels.

[awbowman]

This  sounds good!!!  Good luck

[Morning Star]

I think I see a hippie bathing in that water fall.

[Gehrke145]

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.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I am looking forward to following your preparation and hunt.  

So far it is looking good form here  

[Gehrke145]

Morning Star lol I know I will be running into a few lol.  The 14ers draw them like patchouli oil.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Good luck Adam!

[steadman]

Good luck and thanks for the updates!!

[champ38]

Thanks for taking us along..great thread.

[Charlie Lamb]

All the best to you buddy!!  

[knobby]

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!

[Matty]

Awesome dude! Well All be following along..