mountain goat hunting colorado

Getting up early and climbing up to and above timberline to glass your Mountain goat. 1x1, 5-Day Guided Mountain Goat Hunt: Call for Hunt Cost and Availability. Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat licenses are on a drawing basis with a preference point system, so the chances of drawing increases each year you apply. Hunting Area Milligan's Outfitters' guided mountain goat and bear hunting area is located 500 miles northwest of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Some of the units in Colorado will require overnight backpacking, horse packing into wilderness area and/or 4×4 access to stalking/glassing locations. The mountain goat, also known as the Rocky Mountain goat, is a hoofed mammal endemic to North America. 5-15% of the total trip cost is typical if you are happy with your guide and service. This country can kill you and has killed hunters in recent history. Mountain Goat Hunts. Quality – 8” to 9.5” Billies Despite its vernacular name, it is not a member of Capra, the genus that includes all other goats, such as the wild goat, Capra aegagrus, from which the domestic goat is derived. Location – Maroon Bells Wilderness and Surrounding Area Colorado Mountain Goat Hunts. This is a hunt that you should apply for, as the scenery for this hunt will be breathtaking! G2, G13, and G12 are all easier to draw and better hunts. If you would like to hunt Mountain Goats without applying through the draw, contact us about raffle/auction tags or look at our BC Mountain Goat Hunts. For now, however, he believes future introductions of mountain goats … Wilderness sharply gives the benefit to those with scouting time. These limited opportunity hunts are for some of North America's finest animals. Milligan's Outfitters, guided mountain goat, and bear hunting area are located 500 miles northwest of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Most hunters draw their tags after 10-15 years of applying. This video offers an intimate look at the mountain goat in its natural habitat where it spends most of the year at 13,000 feet! Getting the good billies takes scouting and game planning. Colorado State Outfitter License #2975. Still a great area to hunt goats, but do not apply for this tag is you are not going to be in shape. Mountain Goat habitat ranges from 11,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area and surrounding mountains. 3) The hunting pressure is nuts. Over the past deacade, there has been a steady increase in demand, popularity and interest in mountain goat hunts. 4 days of back packing and bow hunting mountain goats high in the mountains of The San Juan National Forest. The goat population is at a ALL TIME HIGH and this is the time to take advantage of hunting this trophy of a lifetime. For now, it is lower on my list of favorites. Draw – Like G2, there has been a reduction in tags down to 4 instead of the historical 6. Mountain Goat is a physically demanding hunt. Most of the hunt is spent looking for billies from high elevation glassing points. Mountain Goat. The CPW does not have a good handle on the goats in this unit, where they are, how many there are, etc…. Consequently, female-only mountain goat licenses may be issued at times in selected hunting units when female harvest on either-sex licenses is not adequate. Online Hunting Show 20 Jan - 20 Feb. Best deals for 2021-2022! All activities on public land are operated under a special use permit from the US Forest Service. Lots of terrain here is un-doable once it has a slick of snow on it. If so and your willing to chat about some basic info such as non hunting recreational pressure I would be all ears. We have high success of Mt. Location – North of G3, South of Independence Pass Goats are not too savvy, but they do move to rough country after sustained pressure. What folks don’t realize is the time it takes to actually get into goats here surpasses the time savings in a vehicle, by 10-fold. Mountain goat hunting is arguably the most dangerous form of North American big game hunting. Goat preference points in order to draw the tag. With the impressive Continental Divide just three miles away, Base Camp is in prime western big game habitat. Rocky Mountain Goat Hunting in Colorado GMU G7 - Gray's Peak . After that mountain goat hunt, Joe and I became good friends. For good reason! Final 50% due before April 15th for all Spring hunts and August 15th for all Fall hunts. My personal guiding here has been 100% harvest. ... We currently guide in 5 of Colorado’s top Mt. Quality – Lots of opportunity for hunters ready for the terrain, hold out for an 8”+ Billy. Start Hunting Series, This article is one of many from our Goat Prep Series Here's the problem with mountain goats: they live in the mountains; the nastiest, roughest, and shittiest part of the…, This article is one of many from our Goat Prep Series If you don't want to completely "nerd-out" on mountain goat information, skip down to the hunting strategy section. We guide several of these hunts through partnering outfitters, others units we guide through our special use permits held by Flat Tops Wilderness Guides. This question depends on many different questions. Recommended Gratuity - Guides: 5%-15% of Hunt Cost, Support Staff/Packout Crew: $25 p/p, Head Chef: $50-$75, Asst. “Mountain goats were protected by the legislature because they are valued by the hunting and wildlife-appreciating public.” That protection includes a legal mandate to “manage habitat and animals to protect and propagate them,” says Jones. Quality – 8” to 9.5” Billies Record Mountain Goat Hunting Trophies are normal in this area, not an exception. I cannot say … If I guide you on this hunt, be prepared for a backpack style hunt and the use of horses if scouting puts goats in the harder to reach areas. You can expect a quintessential mountain hunting experience from this hunt. Mountain Goat Hunting Statistics Draw Recap Report s and Hunting Statistics. The Gore Range is serious business and this is a challenging unit. We take only a few sheep hunters per year. Based on your physical fitness, land designation of the unit you draw (wilderness or not), game populations and scouting most of our hunts can be done via horseback packin or backpacking (lightweight camps or day backpacking). Colorado Outfitter Book a Hunt Buena Vista, CO Mountain Goat Hunting Mountain goat hunts outfitters for the big game hunter. Thanks. Success Rate – Great area to hunt goats. Colorado’s western half is dominated by the mighty Rocky Mountains. *All hunts require a deposit of 1/2 the total cost of the hunt unless reserving a hunt beyond the current year. I am on the board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society here in Colorado-and I work for Huntin' Fool in the off season as a magazine Content Contributor and a Professional hunting Advisor. A Colorado Mountain Goat Hunt is spectacular! Although I don’t consider it a high density area, it is one of my favorite hunts to guide. Although typically vehicle based, these are some of the most physical goat hunts. The hunting experience here is great, but you pay for that in the draw vs units like G12 and G13 which are typically 3-4x times easier to draw. This hunt is definitely harder than G2 with lower success rate due to a substantial part of the area being in a road-less area. Backpack hunters must be confident they can hike 3-6 miles in rugged terrain per day with 30lbs or more. *Assistant guides/spotters/packers can be added to hunts. Just because you can glass-up goats from a parking lot, does not mean you are going to be able to ethically harvest them. A Hard Hunt for an Easy Billy. Goat harvest. This unit has gone through the biggest changes of any of the units over the past two years. A Hard Hunt for an Easy Billy Guide: Cliff Gray Hunter: Vince…, An overview of the footwear system I use while guiding and outfitting for 150+ days a year in the wilderness.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. Goat Hunting 101. One Last Billy Guide: Cliff Gray Hunter: Brent Fassett It had been a hell of a…, This story was edited and published by Epic Outdoors in their February 2018 Issue under the title "Elevation". These natural mountaineers are one of the state’s most unique and cherished species. 4 day hunts – $900 fee, 7 day hunts – $1,400 fee. This is one of my favorite units to guide. We have commercial flights from Vancouver 2-3 times per day with Air Canada and West Jet. All fees must be paid in U.S. funds: Checks via certified mail. Email: info@aeioutfitter.com, Photos & Text Copyright ï¿½ 2021 AEI Outfitter Scout and hunt hard to find the best goat. Type – High altitude, rolling alpine with some rougher rim rock country at lower elevations. Averages harder to draw than G12. The hunting here is usually long glassing sessions from 4×4 accessible points followed by long stalks of varying difficulty. In late August 2013, an unknown disease outbreak caused severe diarrhea in mountain goat kids and yearlings. The…, This article is one of many from our Goat Prep Series Resources: The best books on mountain goat behavior, with a good section on identifying billy vs nannies is A…, This story was edited and published by Epic Outdoors in their Oct/Nov 2017 Issue. At 36 years old I am one of, if not the youngest Bighorn, Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, and Deer pros in the state-but did not get to this point by accident. But hunters also go to the high country to pursue other magnificent big game animals: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, moose and mountain lions. There are no over-the-counter mountain goat tags in Colorado (or most of the lower 48 for that matter). The nature of goat hunting can really concentrate hunters. It is close to impossible if you are not in mountain hunting condition. The CPW has taken the tact to drastically reduce the goat population. Bounded on N by US Highway 6/I-70; on E by Guanella Pass Road (US Forest Service 381); on S by the Pike-Arapahoe NF boundary, the Continental Divide, the Argentine Pass trail, US Forest Service 260 and 5; and on W by US Highway 6 Scores. The density of goats is higher than any other area I have guided in, but there are a few things you should know before applying here: 1) The non-hunting activity is intense. If you are looking for bighorn sheep unit info, checkout our 2019 bighorn sheep guide.This article covers all the goat units that I am familiar with and have guided in over the past couple years. This can lead to many awkward discussions on the trail and, I personally feel, it takes away from the experience of the hunt. We continuously take some of the state's best animals for sheep and goat each year. Some of the units in Colorado will require overnight backpacking, horse packing into wilderness area and/or 4×4 access to stalking/glassing locations. Our mountain goat hunts are 5-day, fully-guided adventures that take place in Colorado goat units G-2 and G-3. You need to scout this unit or you can waste a lot of time in old pockets that no longer hold billies. AEI Outfitter operates under a special use permit from the United States Forest Service in the Gunnison National Forest. Colorado does not even allow you in the lottery to draw a tag until you have 3 preference points. These tags and hunts are rare and special. Success Rate – Varies a lot on hunter’s mental and physical preparedness. Because of intense hunting pressure, billies are much easier to harvest during the first season but do not have near the hide they will in the second season. There are nice goats in the unit, but most of them are only accessible via a backpack style hunt. My personal guiding here has been 100% harvest. Poaching Hunting Game Colorado Two mountain goats were found shot dead, almost 3 miles up Quandary Peak in Colorado and 40 feet apart from each other over the July Fourth holiday weekend. I was lucky enough to draw a Colorado Mountain goat tag in 2015, and that’s plenty enough to celebrate. Almont, Colorado 81210 If you are a hunter in good physical shape, this hunt is undervalued in the draw. Colorado Hunting and Fishing Outfitter - Site Map. Also the Department of Wildlife has added the new bonus point system in addition to the preference points. For hunters wanting the pristine, no-one-in-sight goat hunt they have been dreaming about since they were 12 years-old it’s only an OK draw. Many of our Colorado Mountain Goat Hunts and BC Goat … Direct offers from outfitters with a Best Price Guarantee. Our guides spend the necessary time prior to your Colorado mountain goat hunting adventure to scout areas. The deposit is non-refundable unless extraneous circumstances are approved by outfitter or if the hunter does not draw the tag applied for. Great hides the first week of the 2nd hunt. Colorado Bighorn Sheep Hunts & Mountain Goat Hunts. Colorado’s alpine tundra is home to the mighty mountain goat. 2) The terrain here is rugged. This has created difficult hunts for later dates. Large unit with lots of pockets of goats. The mountain goat, like the moose, was introduced deliberately to Colorado, to expand hunting opportunities. Credit Cards are accepted from corporate invoiced groups only. Mountain goat hunts provides a very exciting experience. Other optional hunts can vary from mountain lion and goat to bighorn sheep. Draw – For hunters just wanting to check-off a goat hunt and that are in decent shape, this hunt is one of your best draws. We are an Equal Opportunity Provider. I have found goats in several pockets that don’t have any history of goat harvests. Chef: $25-$50. This is a draw, archery only, for residents only hunt. The area is high elevation and goats of any size are usually found in the basins you have to work to get into. In 2018, you might see the tag become a little harder to draw because tags were reduced from 6 to 4. Success Rate – Varies a lot on hunter’s mental and physical toughness. Browse a selection of mountain goat hunting trips in Colorado. In 1993, the Colorado Wildlife Commission proclaimed the mountain goat a native species. We have spent a lot of time in this country and know how to hunt these animals. Since 2016, tag numbers have been drastically increased. Hunt can be highly physical or moderate. Advanced Mountain Hunting Seminar Bonded and Insured. Quality – 8” and 9” Billies, Declining tag opportunity over past 3-5 years. Mountain Goat Units: G4 - This unit contains some of the best genetics for a large billy but it was over-hunted and is now rebuilding. If you aren’t, this tag is way over-valued. This is a 10 Day Hunt. Our mountain goat areas are in the Collegiate Peaks mountain range. The Trophy Mountain Goat hunting season begins August 1st and extends an entire seven months, until February 28th. Draw – For the average hunter, this hunt is overvalued in the draw. Mountain Goats were introduced to Kodiak in 1952-53. The mountain goat was used as the emblem of the Great Northern Railway, until its merger with other James J Hill railroads for All deposits for future hunts beyond the current upcoming year are 1/3 the total hunt cost. AEI Outfitter's Base Camp is located 10,000 feet above sea level in the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains just 45 miles northeast of Gunnison, Colorado. List your hunts Log in / … The use of horses is limited due to the terrain. Some areas are accessible while others are more of a challenge. Once I factor in the potential for snow on the rugged goat habitat during 2nd season, I lean a bit towards the first season. Usually the draw odds here are 2x better than G2. Regardless of the unit, being in the best shape of your life will help you enjoy the hunt and increase your chances of harvesting a world-class billy. The first such introduction was in 1947. Most of the hunt is spent looking for billies from high elevation glassing points. If your are not looking for a fully guided hunt, we also offer many DIY hunts, its great for those who want to give hunting in Colorado on their own a try. A few years later, when I drew a rocky mountain bighorn sheep tag, I immediately called Joe to book my sheep hunt with him. If you are serious about drawing a goat tag in Colorado, start putting in ASAP and aquire those points and start applying. Our guides spend the necessary time prior to your Colorado mountain goat hunting adventure to scout areas. Consequently, someone wanting to hunt mountain goats must have a number of Colorado Mt. You cannot draw a Mountain Goat tag in Colorado until you have applied for at least four years. Our shot opportunity on colorado mountain goats is 100% and our harvest rate is 95%. Sometimes success comes with a steep, dangerous climb and a long, black night. Type – High altitude, rolling alpine with some rougher rim rock country at lower elevations. While mule deer, moose, big horns, mountain goat, and black bear also call the high country home, it is the Prince of Stags which draws hunters from around the world. If you are not in mountain hunting shape, you will likely need to add a packer. A physical hunt. We hunt specifically for Trophy Mountain Goats and often produce trophy Billies averaging 10 inches. West of Buena Vista, this unit is south of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Other Big Game Hunting in Colorado. Goats live in remote, rugged, yet absolutely beautiful country that most people will never get the opportunity to see.