MOUNT BLUE SKY, Colorado – Mountain goats are awesome to see in the wild. They’re goofy looking but their climbing ability is incredible, and they’re fairly cute too (especially the babies). While hiking in the mountains of the west, whether in Colorado (they are not native to Colorado, but there are many of them), Oregon, Washington, Idaho, or further north in Canada, there’s a decent chance you’ll run into these guys. Of course with any wild animal, safety in viewing is key, and it’s something people seem to frequently forget.
Good Bull Outdoors captured this video of a tourist on Colorado’s Mount Blue Sky walking among a pack of mountain goats. It’s not super clear what he was trying to do, though it looks like he might have been trying to make them move. All that’s really clear is that he should not have been that close to these wild animals. You should always do your best to keep 50 yards from any mountain goats, mostly to prevent them from becoming comfortable around people. These animals can become aggressive, and their sharp horns can do plenty of damage.
US Forest Service on Mountain Goat Safety:
• “Never feed mountain goats.
• Stay at least 50 yards (half the length of a football field) away from goats.
• If a goat approaches, slowly move away. If it persists, chase it off by yelling, waving your arms, waving clothing, or throwing rocks.
• Urinate on rocks, bare soil, or snow at least 50 yards from the trail.
• Do not leave clothes or gear unattended“
Additionally, and I really wish this didn’t have to be said, keep your dogs on a leash when you’re hiking, whether you’re in mountain goat habitat, or any other animal habitat. It doesn’t matter if your dog is normally good, you never know when they’ll book it after a wild animal.
Just this weekend, while hiking one of Colorado’s 14ers, I watched an unleashed dog go after a mountain goat, and the owner’s reasoning for why the dog was off leash was “I didn’t know there was a mountain goat there.” In most cases, you won’t know there’s a mountain goat, or any other animal for that matter, until it’s too late. Keep your dogs on a leash, for the safety of wild animals, for the safety of other hikers and outdoor enjoyers, and for the safety of your dog.