Utah Willard Mt. Goat

Chacoblue777 · May 13, 2019

Hello.

Curious if any of you drew a goat tag for the Willard unit in Utah this year? I was really expecting and hoping that my Dad would draw, but he didn't. He put in the for the nanny hunt. I guess the point creep was really bad this year? Also, I heard they cut tags on Willard? Does anyone know how many tags were cut and how many nanny tags were offered this year? I'm guessing the cuts were the reason he didn't draw, but curious how many points it took for a Willard nanny tag this year? Thanks for any
Information or responses.

Have a great season all

elkassassin · May 13, 2019

This 'NOT KNOWING TAG NUMBERS' before Applying in this State is TOTAL BS!

I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!

Chacoblue777 · May 13, 2019

Agreed!

It really makes it difficult to plan for hunts! And could, and should be avoided. No reason that Utah cannot make and announce some of these impactful decisions/changes BEFORE people apply, and plan their season.

lundellhunting7 · May 13, 2019

LAST EDITED ON May-14-19 AT 06:05AM (MST)[p]There was only 2 Nanny tags given out this year on the Willard. One resident one Non resident So whoever drew it it was total luck. I put in for that Nanny tag also thinking it would be like the last couple years with plenty of tags. Oh well next year I will take another stab at it!

BillyBoB · May 14, 2019

All the Willard goat tags were cut.
Billy?s went from 19 to 7

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

Chacoblue777 · May 14, 2019

Thanks for the responses all.

Wow, that's a drastic cut in tags! Was there a significant decline in goat numbers on Willard? Does anyone know the reason or thoughts behind he decline? That's a bit concerning, and certainly want to see the animals continue to flourish on that unit.

I guess we will give it a shot again next year. But at 16 points now, there may be other/better options. Anyway, thanks for the responses, and wishing you all a happy season!

YZF_88 · May 15, 2019

That drastic cut in tags was covered in a one line response at the last Wild Life Board meeting, "We flew the unit and didn't count as many animals." So for 5-7+ years of the same quotas year after year...all of the sudden POOF, there goes your opportunity. I applied for this tag as well. Had I even had the PROPOSED numbers, no damn way I would've wasted this years application on it.

Mtngoat690 · May 15, 2019

Rocky mountain goat alliance is doing a count this year on the Willard unit. They need volunteers. Might be great opportunity to get up there and get a hands on look at the condition of the herd.

schoolhousegrizz · May 15, 2019

LAST EDITED ON May-15-19 AT 06:24PM (MST)[p]I know they have taken goats off this mountain to transplant them to other areas of the state. I also wish they wouldn't have cut the tag numbers I am getting close to drawing. My brother drew it in 2016, and shot a Boone and Crockett goat.

PleaseDear · May 15, 2019

I am up there most every year when the gate opens to the Basin area like July 15th--ish.

What dates are you guys doing your Counts this summer?

Thanks

Robb

BillyBoB · May 16, 2019

Pleasedear,

I am usually up there too. I've even hiked in before the gate is even opened. I'd bet we've crossed paths before. I've spoken to the wildlife officer last year about how many motor bike riders aren't following the restrictions up there.

I also think a lot of those goats are spreading out due to all the human activity up there. I still see a lot of goats

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

mtnrunner260 · May 16, 2019

The survey will be July 9th and 10th.

I plan on making at least one day. I don't have a ton of experience with the area but it sounds like it would be beneficial to have a few of you out there.
Maybe I'll run into you.

https://goatalliance.org/blogs/news/2019-willard-peak-goat-count

Mtngoat690 · May 16, 2019

>I am up there most every
>year when the gate opens
>to the Basin area like
>July 15th--ish.
>
>
>What dates are you guys doing
>your Counts this summer?
>
>
>
>Thanks
>
>
>
>Robb

I believe I was told it would be before the gates opened on July 9th and 10th. It seems as they were doing it during the week because I wasn't sure if I would be able to participate in that one this year. Maybe that will give me an excuse to hit the Crazy Mountain count in August.

As far as why the permit reduction I believe there are a number of reasons. These are only my theories and personal observations, but .....they have no validity and are only backed by hear-say.

1.They often use he Willard herd to start herds in other areas of the state. I believe they are going to do captures to do just that this year.

2. They have issued an abundance of nanny tags over the past decade and I believe that has impacted the herd.

3. The quality and age class of Billy goats have declined. Due to this many people with the Hunter choice tag opt to shoot a big nanny instead of a smaller Billy. This leads to even more nannies taken impacting the herd. Not to mention, contrary to popular belief, I believe, you kill a mature nanny and in most cases the kid don't make it.So you kill two goats. That adds up.

4. I have witnessed on several occasions, hunters shooting goats in areas they can not be retrieved.I think they mis-judge the difficulties or the terrain.That adds up when a guy shoot s 2 or 3 goat on his lifetime tag.

I think these are a few issues impacting the decision to reduce tags, but I think it was a bit overdue. The good news.....that herd seems to be healthy and rebounds quickly so tag numbers will go back up I believe. I do agree with others that permit numbers need to be set before the draw.

Deerlove · May 16, 2019

Any chance the goat count would go toward dedicated hunter hours?

littlebighorn · May 16, 2019

I tried that a few years ago Russ and it didn't work. Any more, it seems that if you aren't helping a kid learn how to fish, your doesn't count for DH hours.