gonhunting247
WKR
I finally got some time to post a quick story and some pics.
First of all I'd like to thank Luke, Trent and all the others that offered advice. It was very helpful and appreciated.
I'd like to say I came home with a big old billy, but due to a lot of rookie mistakes I didn't.
Day 1: We made it from Palmer to Homer.
Day 2: On the ferry from Homer to Kodiak.
Day 3: We got our first taste of the terrain with packs full of gear filled with five days worth of supplies. The route that I chose had some unexpected detours, due to impassable ravines and gullies. After skirting the canyons which required a lot more fighting through the life sucking alders, we finally made it above treeline ( It probably took about twice as long as it would most of you guys, due to inexperience in this terrain and too many cheeseburgers
)
Day 4: The first morning of actual hunting, I made a huge mistake, I passed up a real nice blacktail buck, because I thought I should concentrate on goat first, besides I'd get more opportunities later, right? WRONG! I never saw another shooter buck the whole trip. No goats today either.
Day 5: Spotted some goats, nice nannies with quite a few kids. Spotted some billies, too far and unapproachable due to the cliffs. At least we're seeing goats!(First ever while hunting!)
Day 6: We hiked to a saddle and spotted some goats in nearby bluffs and across the main canyon. I then spotted a lone goat and thought I needed to get closer to, because it must be a Billy (another mistake). When we got to the spot the goat was gone, but as we were leaving we ran right into him on the ridge line. When I topped the ridge I couldn't spot him until he was headed for some cliffs on the other side.The goat was still by himself and from above the goat looked pretty good. I talked myself into taking the shot if a good one was presented before he was out of sight or reached an area that we couldn't retrieve him. The shot was great and dropped him in his tracks.
When I got to the goat I was a bit disappointed in myself.( Don't get me wrong she's a beautiful critter and I'm super thankful for the opportunity to hunt Mt. Goat and be successful.) He is a she and she is not nearly as big as I talked myself into believing. After pics, we skinned and packed the hide and meat back to spike camp.
Day 6-7: We spent the next two days glassing goats, learning the country and practicing judging goats(Nannies/Billies, Big/Not So Big etc.) During that time I realized that I'd forgot half of what I'd been told( Be patient, don't rush a decision or shot, let the right goat get in the right spot, there most likely will be more chances, weather permitting etc. Most of all I had an attitude adjustment. I realized I fell short of my goal, but what the heck, I was living a dream! I was on The Rock with great friends, I had a goat, with a perfect hide and great meat. I tested myself both mentally and physically on the pack in and out, and I won! (I'll be in better shape next time). Besides, now I have an excuse to go back and get a billy!
After the pack out, which seemed grueling with the goat and my gear( the route was better though!) It started to rain, right as we unloaded our packs. Up until then the weather had been perfect.
Day 8: We checked the goat in and finally got to meet up with a friend, that I found out lived in Kodiak. With his advise we decided to try for deer again and hiked back into a different spot. We only saw does and small bucks again, but we did locate a bunch more goats that were a little farther in, but not many alders to fight through.(for next time).
Day 9: The weather went from bad to worse and we couldn't see 50 yards, so the decision was made to pack out and try our hand at fishing for silvers' the last few days.
Day 10-12: We slayed the silvers' every day and caught/released pinks and chums as well. We ended up with a cooler full of goat meat and another full of salmon fillets. We had a great trip and made memories to last a life time. I hope to be back soon to try out my new judging skills!
First of all I'd like to thank Luke, Trent and all the others that offered advice. It was very helpful and appreciated.
I'd like to say I came home with a big old billy, but due to a lot of rookie mistakes I didn't.
Day 1: We made it from Palmer to Homer.
Day 2: On the ferry from Homer to Kodiak.
Day 3: We got our first taste of the terrain with packs full of gear filled with five days worth of supplies. The route that I chose had some unexpected detours, due to impassable ravines and gullies. After skirting the canyons which required a lot more fighting through the life sucking alders, we finally made it above treeline ( It probably took about twice as long as it would most of you guys, due to inexperience in this terrain and too many cheeseburgers
)Day 4: The first morning of actual hunting, I made a huge mistake, I passed up a real nice blacktail buck, because I thought I should concentrate on goat first, besides I'd get more opportunities later, right? WRONG! I never saw another shooter buck the whole trip. No goats today either.
Day 5: Spotted some goats, nice nannies with quite a few kids. Spotted some billies, too far and unapproachable due to the cliffs. At least we're seeing goats!(First ever while hunting!)
Day 6: We hiked to a saddle and spotted some goats in nearby bluffs and across the main canyon. I then spotted a lone goat and thought I needed to get closer to, because it must be a Billy (another mistake). When we got to the spot the goat was gone, but as we were leaving we ran right into him on the ridge line. When I topped the ridge I couldn't spot him until he was headed for some cliffs on the other side.The goat was still by himself and from above the goat looked pretty good. I talked myself into taking the shot if a good one was presented before he was out of sight or reached an area that we couldn't retrieve him. The shot was great and dropped him in his tracks.
When I got to the goat I was a bit disappointed in myself.( Don't get me wrong she's a beautiful critter and I'm super thankful for the opportunity to hunt Mt. Goat and be successful.) He is a she and she is not nearly as big as I talked myself into believing. After pics, we skinned and packed the hide and meat back to spike camp.
Day 6-7: We spent the next two days glassing goats, learning the country and practicing judging goats(Nannies/Billies, Big/Not So Big etc.) During that time I realized that I'd forgot half of what I'd been told( Be patient, don't rush a decision or shot, let the right goat get in the right spot, there most likely will be more chances, weather permitting etc. Most of all I had an attitude adjustment. I realized I fell short of my goal, but what the heck, I was living a dream! I was on The Rock with great friends, I had a goat, with a perfect hide and great meat. I tested myself both mentally and physically on the pack in and out, and I won! (I'll be in better shape next time
). Besides, now I have an excuse to go back and get a billy!After the pack out, which seemed grueling with the goat and my gear( the route was better though!) It started to rain, right as we unloaded our packs. Up until then the weather had been perfect.
Day 8: We checked the goat in and finally got to meet up with a friend, that I found out lived in Kodiak. With his advise we decided to try for deer again and hiked back into a different spot. We only saw does and small bucks again, but we did locate a bunch more goats that were a little farther in, but not many alders to fight through.(for next time).
Day 9: The weather went from bad to worse and we couldn't see 50 yards, so the decision was made to pack out and try our hand at fishing for silvers' the last few days.
Day 10-12: We slayed the silvers' every day and caught/released pinks and chums as well. We ended up with a cooler full of goat meat and another full of salmon fillets. We had a great trip and made memories to last a life time. I hope to be back soon to try out my new judging skills!
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