Southeast Alaska Trophy Goat Hunt

This HFA Endorsed Outfitter offers an unforgettable goat hunt in the rugged mountains in Southeast Alaska. The area which lies within Game Management Unit 1A boasts a healthy population of Mountain Goats and is known to produce trophy class animals. Mountain Goat hunting is this outfittter's specialty and has helped is several of his clients kill goats qualifying for the Boone & Crockett Club record book. Goat hunts may range from “relatively easy” day hunts from a base camp in a high lake to multi-day backpacking treks setting up spike camps along the way. The multi-day trek is the most common. For the most part, a goat hunt requires that a hunter be in good physical condition and utilize the best equipment he or she can afford. Goat hunting is tough, but you won't be alone as the outfitter does employ packers to assist with all the chores including carrying the heavy loads up and down the mountain. In most cases the packer is vital to increasing your overall enjoyment and comfort during the hunt.

You will start your adventure in Ketchikan where the outfitter will meet you at the airport upon your arrival. After spending one night in Ketchikan you fly a to a high lake in Misty Fiords. Where you will spend the first afternoon setting up a comfortable base camp. You may inflate a Zodiak boat and cruise the lake to glass for goats from other vantage points around the lake. In some cases we will load spike camp gear and five days worth of food into your pack and commence upon the climbing part of this expedition that first afternoon. In most cases we will save the climb for the 2nd day of the hunt. This is especially true when there is a chance of encountering a good billy during the climb. Often times the goat is within a few hours hike from the lake. Even though it may be possible to climb the mountain, harvest the goat and make it back down to base camp in one day; it is more common to carry spike camp equipment (tent, stove, food, etc…) in the event you get “pinned down” or that the shot comes late in the day. This also gives you the luxury of taking our time to really enjoy the fantastic mountain scenery and pleasure of “ridge running” in alpine country.

If your goat is playing hide-and-seek or you can’t catch him on the first day of hunting, you’ll set up a spike camp in the high country and spend the evening planning your moves for the next day. Sometimes, it’s just a waiting game. If the billy decides to make his home in an inaccessible spot or disappears into a chasm you can’t see, you’ll take up a vantage position and watch the neighboring ridges.

Weather can play a big factor in these high country goat hunts. Rain and wind are usually expected, but poor visibility is the real trouble. When the mountain tops are covered in clouds or fog, it becomes a waiting game for the weather to clear. Often, the animals will show up feeding in their favorite spots when a storm has passed.

Once you have bagged your trophy billy, you will take several photos and go to work skinning your goat for the taxidermy mount you desire. The outfitter will assist you to quarter and debone the meat in preparation for the big pack back to base camp. We will usually enjoy one last night in base camp, weather permitting. A satellite phone allows you to stay in contact with the pilot, keeping an eye on changing weather and arranging for early pick-up once you have tagged out. You can expect to spend at least one night back in Ketchikan while preparing your meat and cape for shipment. In some cases, hunters will catch the first available jet home and arrange to have meat and cape shipped and a later date.