Mountain goat hunting is available in Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, South Dakota and Washington. Some states have relatively good drawing odds for mountain goat hunting, especially when you compare them to species like bighorn sheep. In Alaska and Canada you can buy a goat tag over the counter and go hunting.
If you end up getting lucky enough to draw a mountain goat tag, be sure to contact us for the best outfitters. We also have over-the-counter tags available in Alaska and Canada with some great guides. The guides and outfitters we work with are the best in the business.
Mountain Goat Hunt Reports
Our livelihood depends on you sending us good hunting reports. So, we want to prepare you for your hunt before you go. Our best advice: Get reading to do some climbing! Mountain goat hunting takes place in the high country. They are the largest mammals found up there in the thin air, and in my opinion they live in some of the prettiest and most spectacular places on the planet. In most places, goats spend the majority of their time near or above timberline, at elevations of around 8,000 to 13,000 ft. Get in shape if you are planning a mountain goat hunt. It’s not gonna be easy.
Here are some Hunt Reports from OI clients who have hunted mountain goats with our outfitters:
You have to play the draws or hire a guide
So you want to do it yourself and put in for the draws? First you have to decide if you just want to draw any old tag, or if you want to have a chance at a mature billy, let alone an area that may have trophy goats. Then you have to start researching states to figure out how much its going to cost you to play the draws, what the draw odds are for the different hunts, what the trophy potential is of the different hunts, what is the terrain like in a given area, what logistics will be required if you draw a tag, how far in is the hunt area, and on and on….
The weather is most likely going to be a challenge.
Winter comes early up where mountain goat hunting takes place. In much of the lower 48, the weather stays “relatively dry” up until November. From November on, however winter sets in and the hunting gets more difficult, but the hair on the mountain goat will be better. They aren’t nearly as pretty earlier in the season.
When you get a shot, hit ’em good!
Wounded Mountain Goats are known to take a ‘suicide leap’ off the nearest cliff… and there will be plenty of those. Then you’re in for some serious fun and possibly a broken horn or two. That really sucks, so wait for a good kill shot in reasonable terrain.
Here are some articles on hunting mountain goats:
World Record Mountain Goat
A 2011 British Columbia Rocky Mountain goat taken by Troy M. Sheldon of Alexandria, KY is the new World Record Mountain Goat, according to B&C.
Utah Conservation Permits
The Utah Conservation Permit Program provides hunting permits to conservation organizations to be auctioned at banquets and other fundraisers.
Super Slam of North American Big Game
To qualify for the Super Slam of North American Big Game®, a hunter must have registered the legal taking of all 29 of the traditionally recognized species of big game animals native to North America.
Mountain Goat Hunting Reality
The reality of mountain goat hunting is that you’re faced with either playing the lottery in the lower 48, or you are paying for a guided hunt. We can help.
Hunt Mountain Goats This Year!!!!
One of our premier Alaskan Outfitters still has two openings THIS FALL for trophy Mountain Goats.
Backpacking Gear List for DIY Hunting
This is 99% of my hunting backpacking gear list. I like to stay light, taking nothing extra! The only thing that can vary slightly is maybe an extra base layer / long johns in very cold temps or if elk hunting I’ll have bugle tube, mouths reeds, etc with me. -Steve Speck
