Species Profile: The Mountain Goat

The mountain goat is without doubt, one of North America’s most prized big game trophies. Mountain goat hunting is most popular in Canada and in parts of southern Alaska, but healthy populations exist in many mountainous regions of the lower 48 states. But due to the difficulty of drawing tags in those areas, Alaska and Canada remain the go-to destinations for goat.

From an outfitter’s perspective, Mountain goat hunting has steadily increased in popularity over the past 15 or 20 years. These high-adventure hunts have continued to capture the imagination of hunters around the world. But other than the craggy terrain and steep mountains that these animals inhabit, most hunters are not very familiar with the life and habits of the mountain goat.

What is a Mountain Goat?

Is it a true goat? Close, but not exactly. Mountain goats share the same subfamily group with true goats but they belong to their own unique genus. The subfamily Caprinae includes sheep, goats, chamoix and muskox. True goats belong to the genus, Capra, which includes ibex. But mountain goats are the only member of their genus, called Oreamnos. Mountain goats only live in North America, and there is nothing else like them in the world.

Primary Defenses

More than anything else, mountain goats rely on their terrain for safety. Their ability to navigate cliffs and extremely rugged mountain landscapes helps keep them safe from predators. As hunters, this presents clear challenges. But it also gives us opportunities. The broken terrain that goats love can sometimes allows us to sneak within range while keeping out of sight. The best approach at a big billy is frequently from above.

Browsers or Grazers?

Goats are opportunistically both. During the summer months, they live in high alpine meadows above timberline. They live mostly on grasses, forbs and low-growing plants during this time. As winter approaches, most mountain goats move to lower elevations at or just below timberline. Their diet during the winter months is completely opportunistic, but mainly consists of browsing on available shrubs.

Identifying Billies

For many hunters, one of the most difficult aspects of mountain goat hunting is learning to tell the difference between billies and nannies. However, with a little practice, most hunters will get the hang of it. Experienced mountain goat guides look at so many goats each season, that field judging them becomes almost second nature.

Billies are much larger than nannies and have heavier horns. The bases of a billy’s horns will be about the size of his eye, while a nanny’s are often thinner. The horns of a billy tend to be more evenly curved all the way through, while a nanny’s horns tend to be straighter from the base with its curve closer to the tips.

These unique and beautiful animals are truly one of North America’s greatest trophies.