B.C. Goat hunters, typical shot distances?

[Northern Shooter]

For those of you who have hunted mountain goat in B.C. What were the shot distances/shot opportunities?

I've been told it could be anywhere between 50m to 400m+with the assumption that it will be on the longer end.

I'm working on getting comfortable out to 500m with my 6.8, have any taken shots beyond that?

 

[fingers284]

I have an acquaintance that is a goat guide and he tells me that very very seldom is a shot less than 300 but anything over 450 is to be discouraged ( that outfitters own "camp rule ") but the hunter can overrule if he is comfortable with taking a shot. I think 850 is the longest shot he has witnessed. If you "overule" the camp rule & wound an animal , you pay the trophy fee ( one spot of blood in the snow constitutes proof of a wound.)

 

[Northern Shooter]

I have an acquaintance that is a goat guide and he tells me that very very seldom is a shot less than 300 but anything over 450 is to be discouraged ( that outfitters own "camp rule ") but the hunter can overrule if he is comfortable with taking a shot. I think 850 is the longest shot he has witnessed. If you "overule" the camp rule & wound an animal , you pay the trophy fee ( one spot of blood in the snow constitutes proof of a wound.)

I won't be taking any 850m shots even if the cartridge is up for it. I'm hoping to keep it inside of 400m, just hoping that's realistic.

 

[Evanguy]

I've shot 2 so far. One was 40m and one was 300m

 

[elKrusto]

I shot one back in 1999, back before lazer rangefinders were common. Estimated range was 200 - 250 yards.
I hit it good, but it didn't drop in its tracks.....It turned and jumped over the edge. My buddy who was much lower on the mountain watched it do 7 sommersaults before it stopped. Broke a small bit of the tip off one horn, broke its leg and its jaw in the tumbling.
Hit 'em hard and try to drop 'em on the spot.

 

[Suther]

I have an acquaintance that is a goat guide and he tells me that very very seldom is a shot less than 300 but anything over 450 is to be discouraged ( that outfitters own "camp rule ") but the hunter can overrule if he is comfortable with taking a shot. I think 850 is the longest shot he has witnessed. If you "overule" the camp rule & wound an animal , you pay the trophy fee ( one spot of blood in the snow constitutes proof of a wound.)

Is that a rule in AB? Wounding means you gotta pay the fee? Or is that just the guides rule to discourage long shots?

 

[hoytcanon]

I shot this one at 430 yards as there was ZERO chance of getting one yard closer. Folks are successful bowhunting goats, so close shots are possible, but you need a good bit of luck with the terrain. In some spots it is a 400 yards shot or a photo... zero other options. If you have a proper rig and practice until you are comfortable out to 400 - 500 yards, you can open up alot of opportunities. Just keep in mind that uphill/downhill angles, uncomfortable shooting positions/postures, physical fatigue/windedness, strong & swirling winds, uodrafts and other factors can make the 400 yard field shot far less practical than a 400 yard range shot off the bench... assess the conditions and your own emotional/physical state and choose the shot accordingly.

 

[boxhitch]

too close or too far , seems to be our luck
Have had just as many within bow range as long distance. The long ones often never give up a proper sight picture until they are moving out
and then there are the long ones that would not be retrievable so let them go, only to find out later the spot was a cake walk
Know your limit and hunt anywhere within it

 

[fingers284]

Or is that just the guides rule to discourage long shots?

The outfitters rule alone as far as I know.

 

[rar]

i like watching the goats move across the steep slopes .they make it look so easy.

 

[Ardent]

Couple thoughts to bear in mind, long ranges will look far closer up there, 400 looks like 200 without trees between you. Our average shot was in the low to mid 200s outfitting them, but we did do a 550 with a shooter up to it, and 20 yarder as well. 300 was pretty darn common as well, so that’s a fair ‘plan’.

I’d be well versed up to a 350 yard shot, and don’t go too heavy on your bullets. Keep them light to mid ground at most for caliber, in favour of trajectory and anchoring them close to where they stand by keeping the velocity up for bullet performance. Retrieves can get western if they travel after the hit, and 180s in a .30 for instance aren’t the way to go.

This was a ~500 yard .308 billy, with a shooter well up to the task.

 

[IanON]

I only take em' at 1500m+, HS only.