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Mountain Goat Tips
- There are 10 units available for Mountain Goat Hunting
- Goat populations are declining slowly and the WDFW is researching why.
- The odds of successfully pulling Goat permit are currently around 1:1000. If you continue to apply under the current points system, your odds get better with time.
- The WDFW has great yearly harvest reports for Goats and provide good clues as to which units give a better chance of harvest.
- Typical Mountain Goat habitats are those areas just above tree line. Mountain goats live up to their name and live high up. You will find them on rocky outcroppings feeding on lichens, sitting on snowfields, or in early season, just inside the treeline rubbing up against small trees. You can easily tell where goats live by the goat hair attached to all vertical surfaces. If you locate the hair, chances are you will find the Goats.
- The population of Goats on the Olympic peninsula where a group of goats introduced early in the 20th century by some misguided hunting groups. The goats are now considered a nuisance as they are destroying habitats for native species. There used to be an archery season in the surrounding areas for goats. The seasons have stopped. It is unclear as to why this has occurred as the 80s and 90s had significant attention to the idea of transplanting/eliminating the goats form the peninsula.
- Pay close attention to where you intend to shoot your goat. You do not want to shoot it and have it tumble down a steep rocky cliff destroying the meat, hide and horns.
- WDFW requires that goats with horns 4" or longer are harvested.
- A trophy Goat will have horns that will exceed the length of his ears by 50%. Generally an adult mountain goat's ear is about 6" long. So, an ear length and one half should equal a 9-10" horn length. Mountain goats which are two years old and older will have horn lengths longer than their total ear length. Boone and Crockett top goats are 10"
- Spotting mountain goats is fairly simple. Look for white spots on the sides of mountains… The trick is to get close enough for a shot without them seeing you first. Here is a picture of a typical view of a nice Billy in typical goat country. The photographer of this picture was able to successfully get to within 70 yards of this Billy after it bedded down 100 yards to the left. The photographer used the scrub below and rock outcroppings to shield him from view of the Billy. Too bad he was early season deer hunting...
- Goats with kids will more than likely be nannies. The WDFW requests that you do not shoot nannies with kids.
- Billies tend to be loners, however, you might see a few bachelor herds.
- On warm days (if hunting early season) it is not uncommon to see goats bedded down on snow fields. Carefully observe the snow fields so that you do not alert anything that may be bedded down.
- When scouting for a productive area to hunt goats consult maps that clearly show vegetated and non vegetated areas. Hunt the non vegetated areas as goats prefer to be out in the open. You can also hire a private plane to fly you over an area. You can take photos and use a GPS to mark way points. Ensure that you are complying with all state laws before going airborne!
- You can get closer to Mountain Goats by coming in from the top of where they are bedded. They instinctually look for predators coming in from below.
- This piece of advice is pretty much a given, if you are successful in pulling a Washington Goat Tag, you must get in excellent shape in order to properly hunt them. The Cascade Mountains are steep and unforgiving.
- If you have been in to the goat population or have drawn a tag. Please provide any information you can to Submit ideas
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Moose Hunting Tips
- Populations of Moose are on the upswing in Washington State based upon long term studies. The WDFW has done a great job of managing this resource.
- A number of moose in Washington are migratory from the panhandle of Idaho.
- Moose prefer 15-25 year old clear cuts for browse. Especially if the clear cut has water or ponds in them.
- Moose can be found in the timber eating lichen off the trees during late season and with plenty of snow on the ground
- The ratio of permit applicants to available permits is very high. If you plan to hunt Moose in Washington, use the draw system currently in place. Apply now, even if you don’t want to hunt moose. It may take quite a few years to actually get drawn.
- At this time, they also have a lottery drawing available. The raffle generates additional money for the WDFW and who knows… you may actually get drawn.
- At this time, the only huntable populations of Moose in Washington are in units 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124, & 127.
- According to the WDFW. The greatest concentrations of moose are in the Northern portions of GMUs 127 and 130.
- If you have been in to the moose population or have drawn a tag. Please provide any information you can to Submit ideas
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Bighorn Sheep Hunting Tips
- There are 11 different units to hunt bighorn sheep in Washington State. Hunter success is very high for those who draw a permit.
- The odds of successfully pulling a bighorn sheep permit are currently around 1:1000. If you continue to apply under the current points system, your odds get better with time.
- The WDFW has great yearly harvest reports for Sheep and provide good clues as to which units give a better chance of harvest.
- The Washington Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep has some information on places and types of Bighorn hunting. www.wafnaws.org
- If you have been in to the Bighorn Sheep population or have drawn a tag. Please provide any information you can to Submit ideas