D-Mac
Well-known member
Well, my 2023 Colorado Mountain Goat hunt has come to a conclusion. This was an amazing hunt that I had been looking forward to for years.
I began with several scouting trips this summer. Just trying to spend as much time as I could in the unit to both understand where the goats live and how they live there. Also, to find some potential campsites and the best access points. I drew Unit 10 which has a HUGE hiker presence, which ended up being good and bad.
Honestly, of the probably 50+ hiking folks I spoke to and actually admitted to hunting goats, only one had anything negative to say and it was a half hearted attempt at that. I was surprised by the neutral and in most cases positive responses. Hiker’s provided information and wishes of good luck. I was honestly shocked and encouraged by their responses.
Anyways, I started the actual hunting timeframe by arriving the day before the season. My plan was to secured my campsite and hike in and glass for goats. The particular drainage was one I had scouted over the summer and I had seen some goats. I knew most hikers didn’t go past about halfway up the drainage so I should have some semblance of solitude towards the head of it.
I love the Colorado high country. It’s simply gorgeous. I worked my way back into the drainage taking my time and stopping frequently to glass the sides for goats. I should mention that I drew a Nanny tag for this hunt and really wanted to find a dry Nanny, or at least a group of Nanny’s and kids. I stopped and talked to people fishing the high lakes as I passed them. I figured they would be more agreeable to hunters. They mentioned they had seen goats that morning, but not since around 8am. It was around noon at this time, I settled into a little rise at the back of the drainage that afforded a good view.
Almost immediately I picked up goats bedded down in the rocks. I love how they seem to just own the cliffs they are in. They look so intimidating as they survey the valley below them. I pretty quickly ascertained they were Billys. At least a strong suspicion. I watched them for a several hours and after them standing turning and bedding back down I was certain they were Billys. That’s ok, they were awesome to watch and hey I was in goats at least. I watched them until right at dark but nothing else emerged from anywhere. It seemed as though it was only the Billys in that drainage at least for that day. I hiked back out feeling good and optimistic about the week ahead!
I began with several scouting trips this summer. Just trying to spend as much time as I could in the unit to both understand where the goats live and how they live there. Also, to find some potential campsites and the best access points. I drew Unit 10 which has a HUGE hiker presence, which ended up being good and bad.
Honestly, of the probably 50+ hiking folks I spoke to and actually admitted to hunting goats, only one had anything negative to say and it was a half hearted attempt at that. I was surprised by the neutral and in most cases positive responses. Hiker’s provided information and wishes of good luck. I was honestly shocked and encouraged by their responses.
Anyways, I started the actual hunting timeframe by arriving the day before the season. My plan was to secured my campsite and hike in and glass for goats. The particular drainage was one I had scouted over the summer and I had seen some goats. I knew most hikers didn’t go past about halfway up the drainage so I should have some semblance of solitude towards the head of it.
I love the Colorado high country. It’s simply gorgeous. I worked my way back into the drainage taking my time and stopping frequently to glass the sides for goats. I should mention that I drew a Nanny tag for this hunt and really wanted to find a dry Nanny, or at least a group of Nanny’s and kids. I stopped and talked to people fishing the high lakes as I passed them. I figured they would be more agreeable to hunters. They mentioned they had seen goats that morning, but not since around 8am. It was around noon at this time, I settled into a little rise at the back of the drainage that afforded a good view.
Almost immediately I picked up goats bedded down in the rocks. I love how they seem to just own the cliffs they are in. They look so intimidating as they survey the valley below them. I pretty quickly ascertained they were Billys. At least a strong suspicion. I watched them for a several hours and after them standing turning and bedding back down I was certain they were Billys. That’s ok, they were awesome to watch and hey I was in goats at least. I watched them until right at dark but nothing else emerged from anywhere. It seemed as though it was only the Billys in that drainage at least for that day. I hiked back out feeling good and optimistic about the week ahead!
. I have been putting in for this same unit, so look forward to the rest of the story. 
