Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Trail in good conditionRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
Bugs were not too badSnow
Snow free
I was excited for my 3rd hike up the mountain this summer but started off getting stung by a bee about 100 yards into my hike. The rest of the hike was great until I hit the summit...When I reached the top there were 3 hunters getting ready to kill the mountain goat at the top! So many people hike just to see the goats. The gentleman said he had a nuisance permit to kill the goat but this was VERY UPSETTING to the 20-30 people at the top that had to see the goat get killed. This was not real hunting and was about as easy as shooting my dog if I called her to me. Very poor judgement on behalf of the hunter and whomever issued this tag. This should not have happened on a Sunday afternoon on such a widely traveled trail! I'm so disappointed!
Comments
Poor Taste
I am an avid hunter and would have to agree that the animal was harvested in poor taste but to the hunters credit the reason the conflict tag was given to him is because the goats do not fear humans anymore and a man was killed a few years ago in same area. So now the WDFW issues tag to try and prevent that from happening again. Hunter should have waited till by standers were gone though out of respect for non-hutners.
Posted by:
Buzz2401 on Sep 20, 2016 03:52 PM
Humans are the problem
Nothing like being considered a nuisance in your own home. So sad this had to happend and that you had to experience it. All it takes is a hashtag search of mt ellinor on instagram to see why this is going on.
Posted by:
amart005 on Sep 20, 2016 08:08 PM
Goats
I have mixed feelings on this one. First off, hunting wild animals is disturbing to me. I see it as little more than men attempting to establish their dominance and build their sense of masculinity. (Flame suit on)
That said, the goats in Olympic National park are an invasive species. They are not native here. They were introduced by hunters in the 1920's. The park service had contemplated removing them all because they were damaging the fragile alpine regions. That plan was not popular with the public so it was scratched.
Posted by:
Maddy on Sep 21, 2016 07:04 AM
Unsportsmanlike-"Arousing revulsion or strong indignation"
I believe they are issuing tags for Woodland Park Zoo here in Seattle. Same thing, animals are easy prey when they walk right up to you. Parents make sure to have brightly colored vests on your kids, they may be next. Disgusting.
Posted by:
LifeToTheFullest on Oct 04, 2016 08:50 AM