LopeHunter
Well-known member
There are times when I am so lucky that even I wonder if is but a dream. I drew a non-resident Mountain Goat tag for Montana this year. As is typical for me, I have never set foot in 316 though have worked the phones, forums, prior hunter lists, watched goat hunt videos of that part of Montana, and dreamed about this hunt all summer. I will head in at sunrise on October 5, weather permitting.
I have hunted mountain goat twice before, once each in AK and CO. Both were challenging hunts but ended with a notched tag. Amazing adventures and great scenery. Only came close to serious injury or death on the AK hunt. AK involved a sheer rockface and a double crevasse on a glacier. The CO hunt was less vertical though the rock was crappier due to being crumbly as tried to climb.
MT will be my first solo mountain goat hunt. I bought and activated an InReach mini so my family can have a chance to communicate. Apparently, they still like me.
Upgraded some gear. Hiked a lot of miles with a 40 pound pack this year but the gym has been closed due to Covid so got zero elliptical training. This has resulted in me being the least prepared physically for any hunt the past decade. Oops.
The season opened September 1 but I wanted to have a chance at longer hair and knowingly risked holding out 5 weeks not knowing if the weather would be nice or naughty in early October. The extended forecast today for my first 3 days in the unit as 50Fs for highs and a bit below freezing overnight with small chance of rain/sleet/snow my first three days in 316. Fire danger, though. And bears that rhyme with drizzly.
I watched a couple of billy vs nanny identification videos today for a refresher.
Got my offline OnX maps onto my phone. About to test the InReach using my custom, pre-loaded messages and text/email distribution lists loaded. Will test the weather forecast function.
All the gear is gathered here in WA or in AZ. I fly to AZ this weekend.
I will cut some of the gear this weekend to get weight closer to 60 pounds. I am not taking a bear fence. Not taking my handgun. May ditch the spotter and tripod though will hate that choice. I can jettison some clothing if the forecast holds. Will decide at the trailhead.
I start the drive from AZ to WY on afternoon of September 28. Will hunt in NE WY for a pronghorn buck Oct 1 through 3. Drive to MT on 4th. Reach the trailhead on the 5th.
Have 12 days of food so will take some, not all, with me on the 5th then return to the truck if hunt goes past a week.
I am not and have never been a trophy hunter but do look for representative or better critters. I have had extended communication with five amazing prior goat or sheep hunters. Have chatted and exchanged emails with a dozen more.
I feel fortunate to have drawn this tag and will do my best to find a billy with longer hair. If I struggle on this hunt there is no one to blame but me and my conditioning. Or the snow drifts which really is still on me for waiting 5 weeks.
Stay tuned.
I have hunted mountain goat twice before, once each in AK and CO. Both were challenging hunts but ended with a notched tag. Amazing adventures and great scenery. Only came close to serious injury or death on the AK hunt. AK involved a sheer rockface and a double crevasse on a glacier. The CO hunt was less vertical though the rock was crappier due to being crumbly as tried to climb.
MT will be my first solo mountain goat hunt. I bought and activated an InReach mini so my family can have a chance to communicate. Apparently, they still like me.
Upgraded some gear. Hiked a lot of miles with a 40 pound pack this year but the gym has been closed due to Covid so got zero elliptical training. This has resulted in me being the least prepared physically for any hunt the past decade. Oops.
The season opened September 1 but I wanted to have a chance at longer hair and knowingly risked holding out 5 weeks not knowing if the weather would be nice or naughty in early October. The extended forecast today for my first 3 days in the unit as 50Fs for highs and a bit below freezing overnight with small chance of rain/sleet/snow my first three days in 316. Fire danger, though. And bears that rhyme with drizzly.
I watched a couple of billy vs nanny identification videos today for a refresher.
Got my offline OnX maps onto my phone. About to test the InReach using my custom, pre-loaded messages and text/email distribution lists loaded. Will test the weather forecast function.
All the gear is gathered here in WA or in AZ. I fly to AZ this weekend.
I will cut some of the gear this weekend to get weight closer to 60 pounds. I am not taking a bear fence. Not taking my handgun. May ditch the spotter and tripod though will hate that choice. I can jettison some clothing if the forecast holds. Will decide at the trailhead.
I start the drive from AZ to WY on afternoon of September 28. Will hunt in NE WY for a pronghorn buck Oct 1 through 3. Drive to MT on 4th. Reach the trailhead on the 5th.
Have 12 days of food so will take some, not all, with me on the 5th then return to the truck if hunt goes past a week.
I am not and have never been a trophy hunter but do look for representative or better critters. I have had extended communication with five amazing prior goat or sheep hunters. Have chatted and exchanged emails with a dozen more.
I feel fortunate to have drawn this tag and will do my best to find a billy with longer hair. If I struggle on this hunt there is no one to blame but me and my conditioning. Or the snow drifts which really is still on me for waiting 5 weeks.
Stay tuned.
