Kodiak Island Mountain Goat Hunting Dates and Rates:
Mountain Goat Hunts Cost $11,000
Add a Sitka Blacktail Buck for $3,450
The Kodiak Mountain Goat known in latin is Oreamnos Americanus. It is one of emerald isles many conservation success stories along with the Sitka blacktail deer, Roosevelt elk, reindeer and beaver. The mountain goat is the only representee of mountain ungulates called “Rupicaprine” in North America, or a popular nickname the “rock goats”. As the name implies the goats on Kodiak Island have found the rocks! It is a home that suits them very well. Kodiak’s geography consists many mountains that are jagged, steep, covered in rugged rock faces, and thick canyons down to sea level. In general, it is a place that goes up from sea level. That gives these white goats excellent escape terrain in spring summer and fall. As well as providing excellent winter habitat. High alpine overhangs and meadows provide great grazing. Some areas of the island are very difficult for humans to reach. This combination of factors has really helped the goat population to explode on the island.
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Campbell’s Goat hunts are done by draw. Odds of drawing fluctuate year to year. It is expected that hunters will receive a tag within three years. Often times the first time the tag is applied for hunters will receive a tag. The draw application time is November and early December. Prior to applying for a tag hunters will need to sign a contract with Campbell’s High Caliber Guide Service, pay a deposit, and buy an Alaskan big game hunting license for the year of desired hunt. From there we are ready to apply for the draw, Campbell’s enters hunter into the draw process (this cost $30). Results come out the middle of February. Hunting season is August 20 through October 25. Most hunts take place mid-October to allow for best hide quality.
It is recommended hunters plan on seven full days of hunting with travel days on each end. Hunters can expect to spend a day getting to the town of Kodiak. Once in town that evening a hotel will be needed. The next day we will be sure to get a locking tag and pick up your tag at fish and game.
Upon being transported into the field are focus quickly goes up! The group will start hiking towards goat habitat. With us we will have a spike camp, optics, a week of food and etc. Hunters will need to provide sleeping bags for themselves. It is recommended that you keep your gear list as light as possible. Goat hunters often appreciate some level of safe misery in order to go lighter. The Alpine of Kodiak Island is breathtakingly beautiful. The area’s the goats often hold in is often the steepest part. Physical fitness is a must. A person should have full confidence in the strength of their legs before going on a mountain goat hunt. Often times accessing goats is the hardest part of hunting them. Members of the hunting party will carry micro spikes as well as crampons, to aid in the crossing of steep slopes. Walking sticks are recommended. Extra packers can be hired but hunters should at least be strong on their feet. Patience often times comes into play. At times when the desired Billy is found, he is inaccessible or in risk of falling. In this case we have to wait for him to move to better ground or look elsewhere. The population is strong there are many goats. At Campbell’s we always strive to get hunters as close to game as possible to allow for good shot placement and ethical kills. This is especially important on mountain goats wounded goats often run off cliffs or into unrecoverable terrain. Hunters should be confident in their weapon and prepared to make follow up shots, the goal is to keep shots under 350 yards. As you can imagine an animal that lives out its life on the often-snow-covered mountains of Kodiak is tough! Once the goat is down and processed, we will start are climb back out of where the hunt has taken us. Goat meat is great table fair. All edible meat is recovered from the field. Hunters can ship it home or it can easily be donated, due to the good eating.
Big Billy’s make for fine trophies. Full body mounts look stunning. With their long white hair, beard and pantaloons. Half body mounts are also great. Rugs can also be made. Whatever desired, guides will be trained and ready to make the proper cuts to your trophy. Mountain Goat hunts often times make memories that last generations, this guide service is happy to get to play a role in that.
Another thing to consider is combining a Sitka black tail deer hunt with your goat hunt. Often times trophy bucks can be found. Understand though, the goat tag must be drawn where as a deer tag is over the counter and can be hunted any year.
Goat hunting is all about a balance between comfort and misery. Regardless of how good of shape your in every pound/ounce you can leave at the bottom of the mountain and still be warm will be appreciated and make the experience more enjoyable. This list is what you carry up the mountain in your pack. I also have a general list on the info page of our website. Once we head up the mountain we will not be coming back until the hunt is concluded, so what you have in your pack is what you got.
Mountain Goat gear list:
- sleeping bag, currently I’m using a 15 degree Kuiu bag, regardless make sure it is comprisable enough to fit in your pack. I’d caution against going any lighter than 20 degrees.
- Sleeping pad, currently I’m using a therm-a-rest neoair xlite. downside of running an air pad is it could potentially pop where foam doesn’t. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
- Gortex rain gear, currently I’m using First lite omen storm shelter, it’s a bit on the heavy side. Any of the name brands will work, just if you have had it for a while test it in the shower. The seams will be the first thing to wear out.
- Heavy in warmth, but light in weight puffy jacket and pants, most common these days is synthetic coated down. All the name brands offer good stuff. Make sure you can get pant on and off over boots.
- One hiking paint, currently I’m using stone glacier but other brands make good stuff as well (kuiu,sitka,first lite) just avoid cotton in all clothes.
- Two base layers top and bottom, I like merino wool, I take a boxer and full leg bottom, and a light top with one a bit heavier. For the first half of the hunt sleep in the cleaner layer eventually wearing that layer for the day with dirty on top if needed.
- Two pairs of darn tough wool socks and 4 pairs of synthetic liner socks. I also carry a waterproof sock in case I soak my boots (optional).
- Gators (optional, I like them)
- A high ankle hiking boot, I prefer leather. Meindl, Kenetrek, crispy are some good options depending on your foot shape. Just make sure you try to put in 50 miles break in time before the hunt in them.
- A good pack in that 5000 cubic inch area. I like Barney’s sports chalet external frame pack but many mountain hunters prefer an internal frame. Look for good thick waist and shoulder straps and heavy duty buckles. Same as your boots break it in ahead of time. Just don’t go so hard that you injure yourself or wear out right before the hunt. If your body is accustomed to 45 pounds it will handle 65 just fine.
- Binoculars 10x48 work great
- Tooth brush/ a little sunscreen in a zip lock
- Hat to protect sun from face
- Hiking glove and warmer glove, wool liner is also great
- Headlamp
- Rifle
- Water bottle
- Waterproof pack cover, in general make sure you can keep the items in your pack dry. Seal bag compression sacks for your sleeping bag is a great idea. You can also keep your puffy pant and jacket in this to save space and insure dryness.
- You will be getting on and off a float plane. I can provide waders or you can bring your own either way is fine.
- If you want to stash a change of clothes at the bottom of the mountain for after the hunt that is fine.
— make sure to maintain a good workout schedule that includes cardio!
