The Goat Of A lifetime!
This goat and the bull shown earlier will stand out as two of my favorite hunting experiences ever.
As of this writing, I have not entered this goat in the record books but he has been officially scored and ranks #6 in the world for Spanish Goats taken with a bow.
I think I made a few points with my Kiwi mate over this goat.
The next day we set the plan in motion. As we approached the goats look-out, he bolted out of sight down the back side. I jumped off and headed for my ambush site, while Neil raced for the ravine.
Keep in mind that Bowhunting is almost totally new to New Zealand and the residents are gun hunters. Neil had zero experience with a bow prior to my arrival.
We had spotted this goat several times in our travels. He was always with his harem on the top of the highest hill where he could see us coming and take evasive action.
I became enthralled with him and mentioned that fact to Neil. Neil always reacted with little enthusiasm and finally commented that maybe we could get in range for the 308 and take him that way.
No Deal!
I wanted him with a bow and that was that.
We spent more than one evening at the supper table or by the fire discussing the potential of getting this Billy --- over more than one bottle of wine!
Neil realized I was very serious and agreed to do some preliminary test hunts with me.
Our method was to attempt a stalk knowing that the Billy would run off. I had noticed that the animals seemed to follow a pattern of escape along the same routes each time. I reasoned that if we could figure out the intended escape route then I could intercept him.
We made two attempts at the goat and sure enough, he took the same route each time he escaped.
He would angle down the mountain and then turn and dive into an incredibly steep, brush choked ravine. Along this route was a lessor ravine with brushy growth along the edges that would provide great cover for me.
Our plan for the next day was simple; Neil would take me on the 4-wheeler to the approach of the high knob. As soon as the goat spooked, Neil would drop me and he would go as fast as possible to the edge of the ravine to discourage the goat from going that way.
At the same time I would high-tail it toward the smaller ravine that was only a few hundred yards away in hopes that the Billy would retreat along the same path.
The goat and his family came into view briefly several hundred yards below me as they rounded the mountian and headed for the ravine. I could see Neil was parked on the edge nearly a mile away from me with Cassie at his side.
I lost sight of the goat several times as he ran through gullies and dips in the terrain. Finally I saw Neil waving his arms and shouting.
The goat came into view briefly as he abruptly halted far belwo me on a narrow bench. He went from view again as he turned to reteat from Neil.
All was silent and calm as the waiting game began. Then I heard stones being dislodged far down the mountain below me. A long time passed with only hearing that sound occasionally.
Finally I spotted movement through the bush. The goats were coming single file with my Billy in the lead.
This goat was not dumb and was being very cautious. He knew there had been danger in this area and he was taking his time and looking well ahead.
As he came within 60 yards I began to lift my bow to the ready. As I place the bow in front of my face the goat was only 35-yards away and he spotted me. He did not hesitate, but turned to run straight down the hill.
I had the sight pin at my eye and let an arrow fly before he made it two steps.
The arrow took him in the rear leg and cut the femoral artery --- it was over.
As lethal of a shot as that is, the goat had stamina like I've never seen and he still made it to the ravine. One final death run and a single leap and he slid all the way to the bottom.
I suppose he figured he wasn't going to make it easy for us to get him out of there.
He was right --- it wasn't easy!