Back on the Goats - 2016

[username]

Last year I had an incredible opportunity to try hunting goats in Ireland and ended up with a nice puck goat and the worst carry/drag of my life. 

 

After that pull, I said never, again.  Then came a second invitation this summer...  How soon we forget!

 

Sore muscles long recovered, my mind reasoned I would take a nanny or a kidd (as requested), but only a medal goat for myself.

 

We arrive on scene, none too early, in an area almost lunar in its appearance where overpopulated goat herds are wreaking havoc on farmers and local flora.

 

 

At the request of a farmer, we've been asked to cull a few goats again.  The goats are tearing down the walls, which are a much needed source of income for farmers.  The gov't pays farmers to upkeep the historic walls which are older than the US.  Any damage done by the goats comes at the farmer's expense.

 

After a quick stretch, we see a herd of goats, about 600ya line of sight uphill and begin our stalk.  

 

Along the way, I note an incredible amount of unique flora.  Our guide informs us that many of the plants in the area have yet to be cataloged and it is illegal to pick any flora.  Veracioulsy grazing goats, obviously not helping the situation. 

 

 

When we hit the clearing above, the goats are literally staring at us.  Two shooters, myself included, quickly sort out two for today's cull.  This close up, my 200ya zero will require a bit of hold-under.

 

I'm still glassing the herd when the sound of a suppressed round breaks the morning silence.  At the same time, I hear the guide say "silver medal."

 

As the herd runs up a steep incline, I see the puck with which our guide is so impressed.  I concur.

 

The herd is heading for scrub, so we're going to try and flank them.  About 50ya, as the crow flies, but in this terrain, unforgiving, and treacherous.  It's a miracle no-one snaps an ankle.

 

We hustle to our destination and most of the herd has cleared the final incline before the scrub.  I find a rock and get the bipod down.

 

Both eyes open, one on scope under minimal magnification, I am glassing lots of horns.

 

I catch a flash of a curled horns out of the corner of my eye.  The puck is a second or two from scrub, less than 100ya away. He's going up an incline.  Doesn't take much to set the 1.0lb trigger off. But it's gone.  Puck drops.

 

After a quick hike - puck down.

 

The lads stop for a quick photo-op.  Fair play to the guide who suggest I turn around for the scenic view.

 

Last time, I made the mistake of doing a skull mount and not the full taxidermy.  Not this time!  

 

The lads, still in pursuit, bid me farewell and good luck in pulling my smelly cull back to the 4x4.

 

I ask for a bit of help getting the puck on my shoulders, I brought the rain slick for just this occasion. The owner of the 4x4 says no worries, but asks how I am getting home... Point taken.  Here comes the drag.

 

Another grueling pull.  Shorter in distance, but worse than the last, as I am trying to protect the puck for taxidermy.

 

I convince myself to walk at least 10 steps before stopping to gasp for air, but cannot achieve such a lofty goal.  

 

To my surprise, I cover the 1000ya inside of 90minutes, and manage to beat the lads back to the car. Or at least the green field where the car can drive in to.

 

1000ya, umpteen stops, one gallon of water, two sandwiches, two Mars bars, and a bag of Hula hoops. I am just smoked, but happy to be back first!

 

Can't wait to get back to pick up the mount!

Edited September 12, 2016 by username

[username]

On 9/11/2016 at 11:27 PM, username said:

... At the same time, I hear the guide say "silver medal."

As luck would have it, the goat earned Gold!

 

Edited September 1, 2018 by username

[JerseyJaysTaxidermy]

Awesome hunt, congrats! I bet you would do it again too!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Rusty]

What a cool hunt and great goat username.  Congratulations.

We are heading back to Ireland ourselves next summer.  Such beautiful country.  

[Silver Belly62]

Congrats on a great hunt 

[Lunatic]

Great hunt, nice animal and good story. Thanks for sharing

Are the feral or completely wild?

Edited September 1, 2018 by Lunatic

[Lonewolf76]

Great job!  Is that a predator camo your wearing on your head? They would have never seen you if it was a full body suit. Nice goat- congrats!

[Joeybeets]

Great looking mount!! 

[birdshotnj]

Cool mount and awesome hunt

[CatchinDeers243]

Awesome story and sheep

[Live to Hunt]

Congrats very nice