Big Horn Sheep / Mountain Goat
09-25-2020, 05:11 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 200
Big Horn Sheep / Mountain Goat
I've been accumulating points for both Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep (there are no points in Colorado for Desert Big Horn Sheep), and Mountain Goat. But I have no idea how to hunt them. I'm middle aged, and it's an average 12-15 year wait to get one of these tags, so I figured if I'm ever going to get one I'd better start getting points now. But in the eventuality I do get one, where do I learn how to hunt them first?
I've seen mountain goats while hiking Colorado's 14ers (14,000 foot mountains), but I'd be loath to walk up a very public and heavily traveled path populated by "granolas" and other versions of lefties with a gun, shooting near them, or dragging a dead animal off the mountain near them. To be frank, that's simply a confrontation I don't want to have.
Is "spot and stalk" really the way to go with these? Will I be forced to hire a guide?
I've seen mountain goats while hiking Colorado's 14ers (14,000 foot mountains), but I'd be loath to walk up a very public and heavily traveled path populated by "granolas" and other versions of lefties with a gun, shooting near them, or dragging a dead animal off the mountain near them. To be frank, that's simply a confrontation I don't want to have.
Is "spot and stalk" really the way to go with these? Will I be forced to hire a guide?
09-25-2020, 03:59 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,743
the way most folks look at hard to get tags is, this , or its my experience any how
when they draw a HARD to get tag, they TRY and stack the odds as best they an in there favor
that tends to me HIRE help, be it a guide, or a local that just know's the area better, where there known to know of LARGER caliber sized animals and just know the area WAY better than most, , helping to ensure success
BUT if you live where you plan to hunt, know the area have time to scout LOT prior to the season dates, and are in good health and shape
have all tools needed, from optic's and KNOW how to judge the species from FAR away
you can for sure do things on your own too
it really comes down to YOU and what you want and know how to do have things you have, from time to experience to equipment and so on!
I personally find doing things myself more rewarding when I am successful, and even when not, I KNOW I tried my best and that means something to me
but I never drew a super hard to get tag before, or have any to be honest ion area's I live or are close to
so, if I HAD to travel and DEW a tags, I'd be hiring help! !
still want to do all I can myself , but wouldn't want to screw up a maybe once in a life time draw either! by not doing ALL I could to be successful on the hunt!
way easier to make more money than wait another 10-15+ yrs or NEVER IMO!
when they draw a HARD to get tag, they TRY and stack the odds as best they an in there favor
that tends to me HIRE help, be it a guide, or a local that just know's the area better, where there known to know of LARGER caliber sized animals and just know the area WAY better than most, , helping to ensure success
BUT if you live where you plan to hunt, know the area have time to scout LOT prior to the season dates, and are in good health and shape
have all tools needed, from optic's and KNOW how to judge the species from FAR away
you can for sure do things on your own too
it really comes down to YOU and what you want and know how to do have things you have, from time to experience to equipment and so on!
I personally find doing things myself more rewarding when I am successful, and even when not, I KNOW I tried my best and that means something to me
but I never drew a super hard to get tag before, or have any to be honest ion area's I live or are close to
so, if I HAD to travel and DEW a tags, I'd be hiring help! !
still want to do all I can myself , but wouldn't want to screw up a maybe once in a life time draw either! by not doing ALL I could to be successful on the hunt!
way easier to make more money than wait another 10-15+ yrs or NEVER IMO!
09-29-2020, 10:47 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
I know many of those CO goat hunts.....are weekdays only seasons....
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
If confronted I would simply state that hunting is more human than veganism, and this is 100% organic meat. or maybe "I've been hunting longer than you've been a vegan"
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
If confronted I would simply state that hunting is more human than veganism, and this is 100% organic meat. or maybe "I've been hunting longer than you've been a vegan"
