goats galore

[jigsaw 11,902]

Well due to uncontrolable boredom and the fact that I promised a bottle of Powers whiskey to 1of the landowners and venision promised to another I went out with both rifles tucked away in the van''just in case'' and Taz the kelpie X.I drove into the yard and John was working on some gates to be repaired.As we were talking we watched a dozen or so rabbits jumping about in the field beyond.This in itself enraged John and when I informed him I had the rifle with me,he asked what the hell was I waiting for,I let out the dog and loaded up the gun and walked the lane that ran parralell withe fields on the left and the rough hill on the right.I took a few shots and ended up with 6 nice rabbits,all retrieved by Taz.Its great to watch her with rabbit in mouth jumping 5 bar gates and sheep wire.Saved me a lot of walking I have to add.Back at the farm I bid good day to john after I gave him the whiskey,he was RATHER pleased,lol.I headed across the hill to the next farm and gave Willy a bit of venision.Chating about this and that he told me the goats were in the fields enmass again the night before.I told him I had the gun with me and he asked if I would take a look and see if I could sort out a few for him.I opened the van and he spoted the rabbits and he ended up geting a pair of them too.Myself and Taz went into the hill and I decided a leisurely approach was the orer of the day.I still had a lump of goat in the freezer at home so I didnt really need the meat.We walked up into the ridges and while I was loading the gun I saw Taz looking very alert,her ears cocked and I looked over and there 20 yards away from me was a fine hare,siting licking his front feet.He had not seen me at all.I am amazed when I have the gun Taz wont give chase to anything.She will stand rigid waiting for the shot,but this time there would be none.I made a move and the hare took off into the hil grass.Taz wondering why I didnt shoot.We walked a few more ridges and the sound of kids bleating could be heard to my left.Taz could also hear them.I crept up to the next ridge and before me lay a vast open expanse of hill grass and gorse banks.In view was a half dozen goats,2-3 adults all with kids in tow.I decided I wouldnt make either ones an orphan or kidless.I just sat there for a while studying their movements and admiring them from afar.If Willy found out hed have choked me,lol.They were 200 yards away from me and i decided there and then I wouldnt shoot any today.I just didnt need the flesh and I hate shooting and not utilising the dead animals,plus the real reason was it too far a haul back to the van.I was miles up into the hill.So Taz and I just sat there and watched their playfull carry on while the mothers grazed on the gorse.Anyway I thought the goats were a long way off the farm land so wouldnt be a problem for a bit.I put the gun down and got the camera out.I sat Taz on the rushy ridge and made her stay.I crept down into open land and headed for another small outcrop of rocks and a single furz bush.Slowly and steadily I got to the hiding place and took a few photos.I turned and called Taz and she made her way to me and she sat bewitched by the smellies.For the next hour we watched the herd grow and from behind a ridge rose another 40 -50 goats.I had left the rifle behind and I was now feeling a little guilty that i was not doing what was expected of me.Anyway heres a few photos of the herd and when I left I was kinda glad I hadnt taken any down,probably because of the long haul that would have near killed me if i had.As I was leaving,I stood up from my hiding place and I heard the front nannys barking their warning.i gave them a wave and shouted''NEXT TIME GUYS''.i was glad I was alone but I dont think Taz was impressed.I had just reneiged on another oppertunity to take a shot.I gave her a pat on the head and I think that made everything ok.

 

on the right of the photo below you can see the herd growing in numbers.All were below the hill in amongst the trees

below was a straggler that stood out on its own.I was going to shoot this one but I suspected this girl was preggers

Taz drooling,lol

a nanny and kid

and some damage the goats get up to

Edited February 15, 2011 by jigsaw

[CarraghsGem 92]

good write up, have to admit id be as bad as taz for drooling over quarry... brought my mam an orphaned goat kid to rear 2yrs ago that had been left behind by shooters

[chalkedup 14]

good read and some nice pics

[artic 595]

A lovely read Jigsaw.

 

What round do these goats get? What's the legal requirement regarding shooting them?

 

 

[Born Hunter 17,907]

So Ireland isnt completeley devoid of hares then jiggy, lol.

 

Great write up, always nice to read something a bit different. That kelpie lurcher sounds a great allround hunting companion.

 

atb

Edited February 15, 2011 by Born Hunter

[MagyarAgar 92]

Thanks for the good read, and nice dog!

 

Cheers,

Magyar Agar

[jigsaw 11,902]

artic I give em the benefit of the 223 straight to the point no kissing afterwards.Born hunter,unfortunately the hares up here never seem to venture into the fields.Even on the lamp you wouldnt see em.

[freem 25]

Thanks for sharing, that was a good read - goats really would try to eat anything, i'd say a large herd like that would do some damage

That Taz really looks the part, worth a small fortune that dog

[wetdogsmell 99]

Thank fukk you wrote that down, cos if you told me on the phone i would'nt have had a clue what happened, good read liam

[Dan_Mercian 27]

Excellent read!

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

Great stuff Liam.

[Waz 4,292]

Good reading that, sommat a bit different.

[J Darcy 5,871]

Great read Jigsaw, those nannies will be ready to drop any day now i should think, I remember once we were high on some coastal cliffs with brown braken above us and deep blue sea below. Out on those granite slopes stood a number of goats, all going about there daily business even though they were on a near vertical cliff with 100 foot drop below.

Above on the turf fields i spotted a white shape which i first thought was a discarded carrier bag or some such other litter, but upon moving a spray of gorse i could see a pair of persil-white twins sat motionless. I kind of admired their optimism, pure white and about as visible as any creature could be. I have a huge admiration for the feral goat, they are seriously hard bast4rds....... Great post.....

[jigsaw 11,902]

I tried to sort out one or two things on this post but i ferked it up,freem she cost a bloody fortune,lol wetdogsbollix ye messer.JD theres a ton of kids out and some are 2-3 weeks old.I couldnt believe it when I saw them allready.This is why im reluctant to shoot any.The farmers are going to go ferkin apeshit now that the herd is expanding again but I hate shooting them when the young are tiny.I am shooting billys from here on in.I tell ye you have to admuire them though,they are as tough as they come.Living up so high and eating mostly shity grass,cold winds and hated by most of the locals.Its a tough life for any beast.

[Lab 10,979]

I tried to sort out one or two things on this post but i ferked it up,freem she cost a bloody fortune,lol wetdogsbollix ye messer.JD theres a ton of kids out and some are 2-3 weeks old.I couldnt believe it when I saw them allready.This is why im reluctant to shoot any.The farmers are going to go ferkin apeshit now that the herd is expanding again but I hate shooting them when the young are tiny.I am shooting billys from here on in.I tell ye you have to admuire them though,they are as tough as they come.Living up so high and eating mostly shity grass,cold winds and hated by most of the locals.Its a tough life for any beast.

I dream one day i will get the chance to shoot a 'billy'.......... .....

Great read that Jigsaw, what do they goats taste like?