Mountain Goat field judging

[The Hedgehog]

This is obviously a nice older billy goat - But how good?



Any input from those who’ve hunted goats multiple and spent time evaluating size, age and horns would be appreciated. First weekend hiking through the hills looking for goats turned up a half dozen nice billies but this was likely the best we saw. Very cool animals..

 

[sneakypete]

That goat must be over 9" which is good in my boat!

 

[LopeHunter]

I say is pushing 10" length. Those horns curve back nicely. Bases are not that impressive so not sure if will score well but horns are likely longer than 95% of the billies on the mountain.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I'd call him "uffda!"big. He's a lot closer to ten by my estimation than to 9". Tank of a body on him. Minimum of 6 years old, probably more.

 

[Fire_9]

I agree he’s lacking mass, decent gap between the horns, but he’s definitely got some length and a B&C gut...

 

[EYJONAS!]

The only thing I see is he's lacking some mass maybe, definitely looks like he's got the length. Maybe he just looks that way because of the length. Looks to definitely be a mature Billy, all depends on time which sounds like with your sons schedule is few and fast between for hunts. I'd flick the safety.....

 

[Drake4]

My un-experienced guess.
9-5/8”, 5-1/4” bases, 7-/12 years old
Pushing 47” overall
Great goat.

 

[Drake4]

If anything, I’m low. I think his horns may be deceiving due to body size

 

[Deleted member 20812]

I agree he’s lacking mass, decent gap between the horns, but he’s definitely got some length and a B&C gut...

Pretty much my assessment as well.

 

[Trial153]

That’s a good goat, but I see closer to 9 then 10. Bases are thin as was stated.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Since I did watch him through a spotter for a while at 400 yards, I did have a pretty good look. My guesses are right about the same as Drake4s. I do think he could be even longer, possibly 10. I also think he's not a thin horned goat, especially down low. I do not believe you could fit a finger between his bases. the hair and glands are above the bases a little. I think he's a real hog and it will be hard to find a better one in the unit we're hunting.

 

[The Hedgehog]

That’s a good goat, but I see closer to 9 then 10. Bases are thin as was stated.

Just curious how many goats have you evaluated then shot and measured? Is a 5" base "thin"?

 

[Trial153]

I don’t see 5” bases on that goat, you can almost slip two fingers between those bases. A base over 5” the horn bases will almost appear to be touching, you can at best put a gown mans thumb between them. Further more on the length assuming a 4 inch ear I don’t see that goat at the 2.5 x the ear length it would take to hit 10”, 9 yes 91/4 yes I see that.

 

[Drake4]

I will bet you a case of your favorite beer that those bases are over 5”. 5-1/4” at a minimum and I bet I’m low.
We’ll find out on Sept. 1 I’m sure.

 

[tjones]

Listen up Kurt, this being your first look at goats and all.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Any input from those who’ve hunted goats multiple and spent time evaluating size, age and horns would be appreciated. ..

 

[Jape]

On the goat hunts I have been on we focused on mass and horn length. Horn length can be difficult sometimes because their heads vary in size and if you hunt them with a full coat it can sometimes be obscured. We look at mass first and then do our best to assess length. If the bases are touching or almost touching, it's a good goat.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

The side pics definitely bake his bases and horns look heavier. If you compare the bases with the eye looking straight on, the bases are about double the eye; which is pretty good

I definitely think his horns are 2.5 "ears" long, putting him right near 9 3/4"-10" range.

The more I look at him, the more I think he is a bigger goat than first glance. He has a huge noggin and body, and I love the scar....

 

[The Hedgehog]

He's got a noticeable scar on the right side of his face. I suspect there will be better pics of this one, live or possibly with my son sitting next to it.

 

[Fire_9]

Further more on the length assuming a 4 inch ear I don’t see that goat at the 2.5 x the ear length it would take to hit 10”, 9 yes 91/4 yes I see that.

The ear and eyeball to nose measurement can be a good way to judge but not all goats have the same ear or eye to nose measurements. Based on the body size and Roman nose on that thing, he’s definitely over 9 1/4”. I sent a few of these pics to a buddy in AK that has looked over a lot of goats and he’s in agreement that he’s pushing the 9 3/4-10” mark