Washington mountain goats

songdog · Dec 3, 2013

Would anyone out there be willing to share some info on mountain goats in Washington? Is it vitually impossible to draw a non-resident mountain goat tag up there? Is the quality of mountain goats on par w/ mtn goats in Idaho and Montana? Are there certain areas which are better than other for quality and quantity?

Many thanks in advance!!!

unclebuck · Dec 5, 2013

There are some areas with good billies. Drawing the tag is the big problem. I am a resident and have not missed a year of appling for 39 years.Drew one tag when I was 22 years old. Can't draw if you don't apply though. Good Luck

sjhgraysage · Dec 5, 2013

FWIW,
I'm 55 and a lifetime resident of WA.
There has been a steady decline in number of goat permits available to draw in the last 30 years or so.
Drawing one is very long odds.
That said there are a few good goats in the state taken, the raffle tag winner killed a B&C goat a couple of years ago. I have met the guy and he is young and tough and hunts hard.
The raffle permit is a decent option in addition to the regular draw.

If it were me, I'd be looking at trying to draw Colorado goat as a non-resident if I could afford the application.

songdog · Dec 5, 2013

Thanks y'all. I figured trying to draw a Washington mtn goat tag would be on par of drawing a Missouri Breaks sheep tag. Sounds like I should save my coin and go on a British Columbia mtn goat hunt in the future. I'll be somewhat long in the tooth and may need a motorized wheelchair to get where I'm going...

While we're talking mtn goats, which areas are considered the top units in Washington?

Thanks!!!

WABULLSnBUCKS · Dec 6, 2013

Terrible odds of drawing a goat tag in Washington. With that said, I think most units hold a billy that would sport 10+" horns. I drew the Naches Pass tag a few years ago and had a great hunt. Lots of goats to choose from. Washington could easily issue a few more tags, but I do not know why they choose not to.

tagsoup · Dec 7, 2013

The best odds of getting a goat tag in WA is not through the draw. Your best odds are buying raffle tickets. Raffle tickets in WA can not be purchased over the internet because of gambling laws. The only way to buy tickets is to come to WA and buy them from a dealer.

"Go hunt for meat at Walmart."