Discover the Largest Rocky Mountain Goat Ever Caught in Colorado

The rocky mountain goat, or simply the mountain goat, finds its roots in the Bovidae family, Artiodactyla order. It’s also known by its scientific name, Oreamnos americanus.

Closely related to the chamois, mountain goats steadily cling to cliffs of mountains, just as their name suggests. Their habitat can vary from glaciated mountain tops to ocean shores.

Rocky mountain goats are graceful climbers equipped with lots of agility. Their ability to survive on snow-covered cliffs has seen them escape potential predators that may be roaming around.

These magnificent animals are native to the Canadian Rockies, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Washington, and Montana. They were later introduced to Colorado from Montana.

Colorado’s alpine tundra hosts some of the most spectacular mountain goats, with populations increasing over the years.

Today, rocky mountain goats are one of the most valued species in Colorado, attracting hunters from every corner of the country. As a result, Colorado State has made efforts to collect data covering some of the largest mountain goats in the state.

Let’s dig deep into these creatures’ distinctive characteristics and interesting facts.

What is the Largest Rocky Mountain Goat Ever Caught in Colorado?

Colorado has had remarkable mountain goats captured over the years. In 1988, Lyle K. Willmarth made history by hunting the largest rocky mountain goat ever recorded in Colorado.

The goat was captured in Park County, CO, and scored an impressive 52 and 4/8 inches on the Boone & Crockett scoring system. This remarkable creature solidified Willmarth’s place in Colorado’s hunting history and is a testament to the beauty of the state’s wildlife.

Where is Park County Located on a Map?

If you’re wondering where Park County is located on a map, the county can be found in central Colorado. It’s situated roughly 60 miles southwest of Denver and encompasses over 2,200 square miles. The county shares borders with several other counties in Colorado, including Jefferson to the northeast, Clear Creek to the east, Summit to the south and west, Teller to the southeast and Lake County to the north.

As for directions on how to get there, it depends on your starting point. If you’re coming from Denver or other areas along I-25 or I-70, you’ll likely take one of these highways until reaching an exit that leads towards Park County. Once inside Park County’s boundaries, there are several smaller roads that wind through mountainous terrain and lead to various towns within its borders.

Overall though, getting around Park County can be challenging due to its rugged landscape and remote location. However, visitors who make their way here will find plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities ranging from hiking trails and fishing streams to camping sites and ski resorts during winter months.

What is the Largest Mountain Goat Ever Caught in the World?

Mountain goats can be challenging to hunt. However, this challenge is a source of motivation for most hunters, who take pride in their catch. Kaleb Baird is one such hunter who broke the news and joined the world records due to his massive hunt. On September 11, 2020, Baird shot the enormous goat.

The goat was measured by a special panel of judges assembled by the Pope and Young Club on December 5, 2020, in Prescott, AZ. The judges gave the goat a score of 53 and 4/8 inches, making it by just two-eighths of an inch from the previous largest bow-harvested mountain goat in North America.

An Alaskan named Rosey Roseland had established the previous record on February 15, 2020, just 10 months earlier. The measurements for Roseland’s goat, taken on Alaska’s Revillagigedo Island, were 53 and 2/8 inches.

When Can You View Mountain Goats in Colorado?

Mountain goats can be seen at their best in July. In Colorado’s high alpine regions, the moms, known as nannies, can be observed caring for their young, known as kids.

Mountain goat mating season lasts from November-December. Male goats, known as billies, will gaze at a potential mate for extended periods before slowly moving closer. Sometimes, they will even crawl on the ground to get a little closer. Nannies are fiercely protective of their space, so stepping in too quickly could make her defensive rather than flattering.

Billies will compete against one another, but due to their deadly horns and treacherous terrain, any physical contact could be lethal. So instead, billies strike a commanding position to fend off the rival. The billy who strikes with the most intimidating attitude will maintain his position, while the other will display defeat by retreating.

The timing of the mating ritual allows nannies to receive their children in the favorable months of May and June. Their kids start walking, or at least try to, shortly after birth.

To prevent any inconvenient falls while the child learns to move, nannies will set themselves up in front of a cliff edge during these vulnerable times. Typically, nannies only have one child per litter, though twins can happen. Kids will remain with their mothers until the following breeding season.

Mountain goat terrain becomes more accessible as we approach the middle of summer. As the mountain goats shed their heavy winter coats, keep an eye out for white hair trapped on branches.

Mountain goats may be spotted close to camping areas as they look for salts to add to their diet. Some have even been observed digging in the vicinity of restrooms and licking handrails.

Where Can You View Mountain Goats in Colorado?

According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Mount Evans, Grays, and Torreys Peaks are some of the greatest locations to see mountain goats along the Front Range.

The goats can also be seen further west, in southwest Colorado, at the Million Dollar Highway, near Independence and Cottonwood Pass, both in the Sawatch Range. Before leaving, ensure these roads are open because snow and ice usually lead to them closing down until spring.

When Were Mountain Goats Introduced in Colorado?

Mountain goats were brought to Colorado from Montana for the first time in 1947. They were officially introduced to Ragged Mountains, Sawatch Range, Gore Range, Needle Mountains, and Mount Evans in 1972. They have since migrated from those locations to the San Juan Mountains, Ruby Mountains, Elk Mountains, Grand Mesa, Mosquito Range, and Front Range.

They were initially observed in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1979. By 1995, the number had already increased. The Colorado Wildlife Commission recognized the mountain goat to be a native species in Colorado in 1993 at the request of the International Order of Mountain Goats.

Although there may be contradicting views on them being listed as native animals in Colorado, there is no doubt whatsoever that their population has grown exceedingly over the years since their introduction.

Characteristics of Rocky Mountain Goats

You can easily distinguish mountain goats from their close cousins, Dall sheep, by their black horns. The goats are adapted to harsh winter conditions and have a shaggy, long winter coat.

Physical Characteristics

Female mountain goats are typically half as large as males and can weigh as much as 300 pounds.

Mountain goats, unlike most ruminants, rarely engage in physical conflict despite having horns. They grow thick, wooly coats in the winter that they slough off in the spring and early summer. Finally, as a result of snagging their winter wool on bushes and tree branches, they can acquire a raggedy or patchy appearance.

Habitat

Mountain goats can live and prosper in an ecosystem that is made up of rocky, steep terrain thanks to a variety of unusual adaptations. The mountain goats benefit greatly from living in an environment that is hostile to most predators. They also benefit from their white coat, which offers camouflage in the snow.

Their flexible toes boost traction, and their cushioned hooves assist them in gripping ledges and rocky terrain. In addition, they can easily leap up steep hills thanks to their extra-strong rear legs.

Mountain goats are born climbers; however, nanny goats usually guard their young by foraging downhill from them so they can catch them if they fall.

Size

Mountain goats are stocky climbers with strong legs and wide hooves. They stand around 39 inches tall at the shoulder. Females typically weigh between 132 pounds (60 kilograms) and 200 pounds (90 kilograms), and large males can weigh over 260 pounds.

A beard frames the goat’s thin muzzle with coarse, white, and shaggy hair atop thick, wooly underfur. The horns are 2-10 inches long, black, and somewhat backward-curving for both sexes.

Mountain goats stab each other with their horns rather than butting heads, as other goats do. They are reluctant to fight since their horns can seriously hurt victims. But males develop unusually thick skin as body armor to protect them from attacks by rivals or females.

Feeding Habits

Mountain goats live in herds and family groups and eat mainly grasses and flowering plants. Occasionally, you may see them foraging alone.

Mountain goats eat a wide range of vegetation, including herbs, leaves, twigs, lichens, alpine firs, and other conifers, to make up for their narrow preference for cliffs. These plants may be uncovered at the timberline from deep snow.

Mountain goats may occasionally leave the safety of their cliffs in the summer when breastfeeding or developing new coats of hair. They may also descend the cliffs to visit mineral licks to augment their nutrient intake.

The rare amino acids cysteine and methionine, necessary for the goat’s hair growth, are synthesized by the rumen flora alongside other minerals using inorganic sulfur.

Predators

Mountain goats’ greatest threats include starvation (especially in late winter), falls from cliffs, avalanches, and predation. However, humans also threaten them through motorized recreation, habitat displacement, and poorly regulated hunting.

In Colorado, wolves, cougars, and grizzly bears are the principal mountain goat predators. Other potential predators that have occasionally been observed chasing mountain goats include black bears, coyotes, and wolverines.

Reproduction and Lifespan of Mountain Goats

Mountain goats’ mating system is called polygynous, meaning that males will mate with several females but not the other way around. Males in their prime (5-10 years old) typically do most of the breeding. However, some males occasionally fight during this season, leading to horn-inflicted puncture wounds.

Adult male mountain goats normally keep their distance from larger nanny-kid nursery groups. However, small bachelor groups may form, especially during the summer.

On the other hand, females often stick together in groups with young ones. This behavior is obvious when big nursery bands form in the middle of the summer. A mountain goat typically gives birth to a single kid in mid-to-late May following a 180-day gestation.

Interesting Facts About Mountain Goats

Considered natural mountaineers, mountain goats are among the world’s best climbers. You can spot them in high alpine terrains, often clinging to rocky and steep terrain features. To catch a clear glimpse of the goats during your hike, carry your binoculars.

The agile and surefooted creatures love the high alpine tundra, steep cliffs, and rocky ridges.

Here are a few interesting facts about these goats:

These creatures are more related to antelopes.
They can jump up to 12 feet in a single leap.
They are the largest mammals in high-altitude environments.
North America’s mountain goat population is about 100,000.
Mountain goats chew cud, regurgitate it, and eat it again.
Their meat is known as cabrito or chevron.
Yellowstone National Park has just about 208 mountain goats.

Key Takeaways

Mountain Goats are one of the most majestic animals to observe. This is due to their heavy, glorious white fur coats that shed depending on the season.

Colorado is home to many mountain goats. They are the largest goat species in Colorado, and the Colorado Wildlife Commission recognizes them as such. From their characteristics, you can see why these animals are so special and why people enjoy viewing them in their natural habitat.