Uintah West Mtn Goat

Smokepole · May 19, 2014

I decided to go for it this year even though I don't have the vacation time I would really liked to have. However, I know where I'll be concentrating most of my time and if the right one presents me with a great bow shot that's my goal. Then again, if the right one is within rifle range, I'll drop him that way as well.

Good luck to all the rest of you out there!! It's going to be a great summer and fall!!

Smokepole

paddlehead · May 20, 2014

I wish I had this tag. I wish I wasn't so far in for Moose or I'd switch.

Smokepole · May 20, 2014

Paddle

I had more points than what the minimum was to draw this permit. So, I basically knew I was going to draw and I've been waiting for quite a while. This will likely be my last OIL permit from Utah, I'm getting up there in age. Get your moose and who knows you could draw this permit the very next year, I seen it happen to a friend of mine.

Smokepole

PleaseDear · May 20, 2014

LAST EDITED ON May-21-14 AT 04:19AM (MST)[p]Way to go Mike!!

If it was me, I would come in from the South Slope side.
Chippawaa Basin??

I will have to get my maps out.

Robb

Dobber · May 21, 2014

Congrats on a great tag, enjoy the summer scouting.

Smokepole · May 21, 2014

Robb

Thanks, I finally decided to do it. I'm already getting pumped and can't wait to head up and start checking things out. I spent a few trips out last summer looking. I'm going to try and narrow it down and concentrate on a couple spots. I'll be up there almost every day I'm not working over that 5 week hunt or at least until I put one on the ground.

Smokepole

paddlehead · Jun 24, 2014

Keep us updated on your hunt. I saw moose was an impossibility so I have been putting my wife in for this hunt. Hopefully in a few more years....

Zeke · Jun 24, 2014

Smoke,
I had the tag in 2009 and my wife had it a couple years ago. As you already know, it's a fabulous hunt and the scenery cannot be beat, anywhere!

We saw lots of goats. I scouted for 11 days and killed on the first day. I was in a hurry because my oldest daughter (adult with a husband and kids) drew a desert sheep tag. That was an intense Fall!

My wife's hunt wasn't much longer! Haha

I'm sure you'll do well without help but feel free to reach out.

Zeke

Smokepole · Jul 1, 2014

I was already planning to be up there scouting by this last weekend. However, due to a heart attack I had almost three weeks ago, I'm still recovering. This will be the most fantastic fall of hunting I have ever had. Why, because I'm alive and kicking!! My Cardiologist told me because I acted on my pain and signs and the ambulance got me to the hospital very quickly (I was at the Gym working out getting ready for this hunt, how's that for ironic). Then the Cardiac team was waiting and ready, the blockage in my left artery was cleaned out and a stint installed in almost record time. Thus the damage to my heart was minimal. Had I waited over an hour, thinking the pain and light headedness, sweating, etc. were all part of my work out, I would not be here writing this or still planning my hunt!!!

For me now, every day is a good day! I don't know what tomorrow will really bring but, hey bring it on!

Happy hunting! Smokepole

bingo · Jul 1, 2014

Hopefully we get to hunt together a little this year. We are certainly blessed with great tags! I admire that cant keep me down attitude! This obstacle will just add to the accomplishment of an awesome hunt and beautiful goat in your near future!

Smokepole · Jul 1, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-01-14 AT 11:02PM (MST)[p]Ryan

You gonna get out and scout before you leave the country? I can do next weekend (5th) or the 12th.

Mike

bingo · Jul 2, 2014

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make my first scouting trip until August 1.

littlebighorn · Jul 2, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-02-14 AT 07:01PM (MST)[p]Man SP,
Glad you acted when you did!
Sometimes I think I am invincible, but at my age I should definitely know better. Great to hear it all turned out well and the hunt is still on. No doubt your experience cast a new perspective on everything.
It's certainly a great reminder for all of us to smell the roses and take in the sunsets!
Best of luck.

mtncowboy · Jul 2, 2014

Best of Luck to you! I would love to have that tag. Out of curiosity, how many points did you have? thanks. P.S. don't forget your fishing pole.

Smokepole · Jul 3, 2014

I had 16 pts and have been planning this hunt for a couple years. Yes, depending on which spot I will be at, I'll have my fishing pole.

I do have a new perspective on life now. Thanks!
Smokepole

Smokepole · Sep 15, 2014

My Mtn Goat hit the ground. This was a fun hunt. All the preseason scouting and looking over many Mtn Goats. It was fun to see Nannies with Kids and how they interact. Then to see a lone Goat and know it was very likely a Billy. Just to be on top of the Uinta Mountains and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the wilderness. You can't do much better than that.

I was able to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with my son-in-law Kirk. Kirk hadn't spent quite enough time getting in shape for the rigors of this hunt but, he was areal trooper in his efforts. He was there and helped when I needed it.

Last Friday while working along the ridge between a couple peaks I was preparing for another long hike around the mountain. We'd already spotted two different herds of Nannies with Kids. I dropped off the top of the ridge to stay out of sight and was working my way around one of the herds. I came around a chute and standing there below me were two Billie's. I put my bino's on them and I couldn't tell if one was any better than the other but, they both look good. They were in an accessible spot and I wouldn't have to worry about one falling off a sheer cliff. By the time I got my gun off my pack, pulled the lens cover off, set my shooting stick in the ground, they turned and started to walk away. I shuffled in a shell and put the cross hairs on the trailing Billy, calmed myself down and pulled the trigger. The Goat dropped and fortunately there was a big rock right there, which stopped him from rolling down the mountain.

Kirk wasn't with me at the time, he was taking a nap. So, I went back to get him and then we both proceeded down to recover my Goat. The pack out was tough and we both have sore muscles to show for it.

Here are a few pics.

Have a great day!
Smokepole

30Hart · Sep 15, 2014

Congrats, nice billie!

Ranger1 · Sep 15, 2014

Great looking Billy! Next on my OIL tags- 6 points right now. Would love to stick one with a bow. With the OIL pressure you did the right thing in putting the hammer down on him.

huntin50 · Sep 15, 2014

congrats! nice goat. I have 10 points. it may be a few years.

DW · Sep 15, 2014

Thanx fer sharein smokepole! Congrats! Hope I draw 1 day!

npaden · Sep 15, 2014

Very nice goat. Thanks for sharing.

Navaluk · Sep 16, 2014

Great Mountain Goat. I'm fired up to go for my third lower 48 Mountain Goat in 2 weeks. Climb above the sheep hunters.

heartshot · Sep 16, 2014

Way to go Smokepole! Great looking goat! Good ptarmigan pics also.

Adventurewriter · Sep 16, 2014

Nice fat goat-toad!!!

nocwalker · Sep 16, 2014

Awesome Smoke!! Congrats!!

nocwalker

Circuits · Sep 17, 2014

Great trophy! Did you see plenty of billies?

Founder · Sep 20, 2014

Neat trophy! Good for you. I want to hunt them one day.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
Will you LIKE MonsterMuleys.com on Facebook! I need a friend....

Smokepole · Sep 20, 2014

Yes, we did see a few Billie's, some weren't accessible.

This was one awesome hunt that I'm so grateful that I was able to complete. Especially, since I made it through a heart attack back in June. Definitely, a year I'll never forget (because I'm still here).

Thanks everyone!

Smokepole

Dobber · Sep 23, 2014

Thank for shareing, Congrats! Nice pics and sounds like a great time.

c3 · Sep 30, 2014

That's a fine billy !!!

Congrats,
Pete

Navaluk · Sep 30, 2014

Well done! No accomplishment is quite like a Mountain Goat hunt. I got mine as well (but it's under the Idaho section), so I know how rewarding it is.