Goats in VIC State Forests

Varminting and vertebrate pest control. Small game, hunting feral goats, foxes, dogs, cats, rabbits etc.

Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 30 Dec 2016, 7:12 pm

Hey All,

I have just bought myself a new Howa 1500 .243 and planning to hunt goats. Just one problem...

Finding private property to hunt on is difficult as we all know. So here is my question:

Which VIC state forests holds goats? Don't get me wrong, I am happy to do leg work and actually hunt so specific locations within a forest is not what I am after. Just general areas.

I am in the South East so the Alpine area from Gippsland is ideal, but I am happy to travel.

I am thinking maybe just north of Licola or between Marysville and Eildon.... any goats there?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by happyhunter » 30 Dec 2016, 11:07 pm

Eildon for sure. Strathbogies as well. Heathcote, Redcastle and Rushworth state forests too. Heaps around Greytown but thats NP now and lots at Mount Ada, also a park but you get the idea of where they are.. pretty much everywhere :D
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 30 Dec 2016, 11:09 pm

Oh, btw... lets not even mention Wombat S.F in the replies
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 30 Dec 2016, 11:27 pm

Thanks Happy... thats a good spread for places close enough for a day trip

So you have seen goats out at these places on your hunts?

What kind of signs should I look for when I head out to trek & explore?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by happyhunter » 31 Dec 2016, 6:15 am

shapeshifter wrote:Thanks Happy... thats a good spread for places close enough for a day trip

So you have seen goats out at these places on your hunts?

What kind of signs should I look for when I head out to trek & explore?


Personally, I hunt goats with dogs, no guns, sometimes in Strathbogie, mostly central NSW, although last visit we didn't see any. I lived in Northern Vic for a long time and seen a few passing through Rushy forest. Check the water holes for tracks and pellets but they like to hand out where it's high and dry. Most the time I see a group running across the track on my way through.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 31 Dec 2016, 8:16 am

Cheers Happy... your info is much appreciated
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 31 Dec 2016, 5:52 pm

Would I be right in thinking that during summer, goats would venture close to the edges of the forests or deeper in the ravines in seach of feed and water as the hils would dry up?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by happyhunter » 01 Jan 2017, 11:30 am

If there isn't much vegetation they need to drink from a water source. Summer is a good time to stalk the water holes and along property boundries. You can glass across valleys looking to spot them same as you would for deer. Same rules, keep down wind. Look for high rocky out crops as goats like that sort of country. What they don't like is wet, muddy ground. It rots their feet.

Nearly all my goat hunting has been with dogs only. Once we spot them, we stalk in from down wind and let the dogs go. The goats almost always run for the highest rocky outcrop to escape the dogs, but they trap themselves in doing so, and we take the nannies and the young ones alive. You can walk the adults back to camp. The little ones you just tie up 3 legs and carry them over your shoulders. It's way easier than shooting them :D
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Jessie » 03 Jan 2017, 9:45 am

Why do you take any back live?

Dispatch them when it's dinner time to keep it fresh?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by happyhunter » 03 Jan 2017, 9:57 am

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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Oldbloke » 03 Jan 2017, 1:55 pm

Have you tried Wombat SF. I shot heaps there years ago. :thumbsup:
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 05 Jan 2017, 8:38 pm

Thanks old bloke... judging by the post on this forum, you may be the hunter that shot the last of anything in there :lol:

Guess I will have to pick a spot and spend some time scoping out the terrain, water sources and just put some leg time in. I am thinking of either Rushworth or Strathbogie SF's as per Happy's advice. Might wait till late Feb when the heat gets down a bit. Might just cruise the tracks with a map and see just how far my car can take me in the meantime.

Any advice on snakes in these areas at this time of year?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Gwion » 05 Jan 2017, 8:48 pm

Yep. Don't step on one! ;) :unknown: :sarcasm:
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 05 Jan 2017, 8:52 pm

Wait... wait.. jotting it down....'Do not step on snakes!'... got it ;)
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by rsj223 » 05 Jan 2017, 10:17 pm

Seen plenty of them around costerfeild SF when driving through but they go quick.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by happyhunter » 05 Jan 2017, 10:34 pm

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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Gwion » 06 Jan 2017, 6:08 am

happyhunter wrote:
Any advice on snakes in these areas at this time of year?


yeah, if you move really slow and quietly you will see more of them :)


See more game too! :drinks:
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Die Judicii » 06 Jan 2017, 8:15 am

[/quote] It's heaps of fun running with the dogs than shooting and you don't have to bother lugging a rifle and ammo around the hills.[/quote]

So when Constable Plod intervenes and wants to inspect your "Rapid fire Lever Action Goat" which one do you show him ???

:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 06 Jan 2017, 3:24 pm

You are not helping Happy! Got the hee bee jeebies right now
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Die Judicii » 06 Jan 2017, 6:44 pm

shapeshifter wrote:
Any advice on snakes in these areas at this time of year?


LOL,,,,,,,, I'd be guessing your a city hunter or thereabouts ? :unknown:

Don't worry about the snakes ol mate,,,,, they won't chase you down.
Leave em alone, and they'll leave you alone. :thumbsup:

At worst if you are in the right area,,,,,,, you might get a scrub python crawl into your swag during the night.
My neighbour was awakened by one last year in his house as it tried to get into his bed.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 06 Jan 2017, 8:44 pm

You're not far off Die... havent done much hunting apart from goimg out with mates in Queensland... that was in open firlds for bunnies. Here in the forests, have only been out hiking on the trails.. seen a few snakes but you can see them... i havent trudged through grass, shubbery and native bush... Guess I am just wondering what you guys look out for and if its wise to head out at this time of year? Considering on a PLB just in case of snake bite, serious fall or other 'incident'.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Gwion » 06 Jan 2017, 8:56 pm

Safety device like PLB is always a good idea if you have or can get one. Knowing how to treat snake bite is also a good idea.

What to look out for??? Ummm,,, snakes! :P

If you do see one, just stop still and let it move off. I have had so many close calls and the snakes usually just move off. Occasionally you have to take evasive action but best bet is just freeze and see what the snake does.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 06 Jan 2017, 9:01 pm

Yeah... guys... its pretty much what I have been looking at...
- Snake 'proof'/resistant gaiters
- How to treat a snake bite
- PLB
- knowing where I am on the map together with GPS back up

And most importantly, just being aware
(Considering taking a mate so that if there is a snake, I would be halving my chance of being bitten! Haha)
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Gwion » 06 Jan 2017, 9:07 pm

It's the snake you don't see that gets you!

A word of caution: do Not try to scare a snake away. It wight work with some more placid species but a brown snake is just as likely to retaliate rather than retreat.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 06 Jan 2017, 9:11 pm

Roger that... I am of the mind to let it be and if it seems agressive slowly back away or do my best to high tail it out of reach of the snake.

However, from readin up in forums and talking to Mr Google, its not often these scenarios happen... right?
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by bladeracer » 06 Jan 2017, 9:12 pm

I wear these all day, every day on the farm when it's warm because of the snakes.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by shapeshifter » 06 Jan 2017, 9:29 pm

Yeah, I got some decent huntimg boots from when I worked on vinyards a few years ago.. but figured it good get a bit warm.

Better warm feet than a snake bit I guess.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Die Judicii » 06 Jan 2017, 9:54 pm

shapeshifter wrote:
And most importantly, just being aware
(Considering taking a mate so that if there is a snake, I would be halving my chance of being bitten! Haha)



:lol: :lol: Your half way there mate,,, just take a mate and tell him to lead.
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I've come to realize that,,,,, the two most loving, loyal, and trustworthy females in my entire life were both canines.
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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by darwindingo » 07 Jan 2017, 1:26 am

A dry bite is a good bite :D !

Btw., snakes don't always deliver venom with every bite as its a valuable commodity, although you should always react as if that they did.... Ps.. a mate would be handy for that test :lol: :drinks:

The best bet is to go real slow in high risk areas and keep your eyes and ears open (Ive been hissed more than once as a warning from a snake that didn't wish to waste his venom on something he couldn't eat)... Slow movement works best when stalking all species that roam the earth ;) ... :thumbsup:

Yep, I love and appreciate snakes if you hadn't already guessed.... Love thy fellow hunter, I'd say (big fan of croc's too btw..)

ALSO, damn I feel like eating some goat now...... :x :)

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Re: Goats in VIC State Forests

Post by Gwion » 07 Jan 2017, 6:10 am

Die Judicii wrote:
shapeshifter wrote:
And most importantly, just being aware
(Considering taking a mate so that if there is a snake, I would be halving my chance of being bitten! Haha)



:lol: :lol: Your half way there mate,,, just take a mate and tell him to lead.


The saying goes:
"It's the second through that gets bitten."

Logic being is that the first person doesn't step on the snake an it just waits for them to pass. Just as the snake goes to move off, some othe galloot comes barging through, which is just too much for the snake and it strikes.
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