Feral Goats

moose112

There are a serious amount of feral goats on a friends land. I am just wondering what is the situation with shooting them as regards.
season
min. caliber

My dad has told me that they used to be hunted with shotguns(in the good old days:D)

It wasn't me!

No season, unprotected species so no minimum calibre. They're still protected by the right not to be subjected to cruelty however, so it's a good idea to ensure what you're using is up to the job. I've heard of .223s being used, so maybe there upwards. Deer calibres are perfect for the job.

moose112

Nice one.
I wont be going after them only have a shotgun and waiting on my 17hmr licence to come thru.
Have two friends from dublin invited down for start of the pheasant season they do a bit of target shooting one has a .223 and the other a 308. I must tell them to bring the rifles it will be something different for them as they dont get out in the fields as much as they would like.

It wasn't me!

Important to note is that they're tough enough, so if using a .223, it'll take a tough bullet to get through and not shred itself on impact. The .308 will be perfect.

flanum

Could we expect to see a Boards.ie Bodhran out of the skins? Id love to shoot a goat and treat the skin myself and make a drum out of it... of course id eat the meat too!

Mellor

It wasn't me! wrote: »

No season, unprotected species so no minimum calibre. They're still protected by the right not to be subjected to cruelty however, so it's a good idea to ensure what you're using is up to the job. I've heard of .223s being used, so maybe there upwards. Deer calibres are perfect for the job.

I would of assumed that deer caliber min applies. If you were charged with cruelty, deer calibre is the closest to anything in law and would likely make up the bulk of the prosecution. however, I don't shoot either goat nor deer so, my assumption could be way off. Any rangers care to comment?

Jonty

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Important to note is that they're tough enough, so if using a .223, it'll take a tough bullet to get through and not shred itself on impact. The .308 will be perfect.

Federal 64gr Soft Points are ideal in the 223 for this job.

westwicklow

flanum wrote: »

Could we expect to see a Boards.ie Bodhran out of the skins?

Been there,.... done that..... wouldn't ever do it again!!

meathstevie

In my opinion a proper shotgun cartridge should do the job adequately. Something like a 36gr BB as long as you keep the effective range in mind should be fine.

spideog7

I've seen foxes carry a 36gr BB from around 30yds so I doubt it'd be suited to a goat. I'd also hazard a guess that an injured goat is probably pretty dangerous.

Never even seen a feral goat, good shooting I'd say.

EastTyrone

do feral goats have nice meat? also how did they get here to be feral? juat escapes from farms?

ejg

I've seen even AAA in 36gr not doing a proper job. If shotgun then only SG, SSG or slugs. Better would be 243 upwards. 223 / 22-250 at a push.
edi

Grizzly 45

EastTyrone wrote: »

do feral goats have nice meat? also how did they get here to be feral? juat escapes from farms?

If they are kids they are lovely as a curry or roast.A old Billy is a different matter.Rank and smelly.:( Escaped from domesticy years ago and are breeding in the wild,is as good definition.

CJhaughey

EastTyrone wrote: »

do feral goats have nice meat? also how did they get here to be feral? juat escapes from farms?

Kid goats are fine eating, some nannies are OK but stay away from Billy goats the feckers stink!
I personally wouldn't use pellets on a feral goat, buckshot would do the job if you can get close enough but they can be tough to put down especially the big billies, I have seen them run 100m with a .308 through the chest.
You need to head or neck shoot them to get clean kills.

Rovi

First, you rent a helicopter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZrFIcWzSEo

foxshooter243

Jonty wrote: »

Federal 64gr Soft Points are ideal in the 223 for this job.

we had to clear goats from a hill during the foot and mouth scare, I shot them using a 50 grain v max in the back off the head with a 220 swift out to 150 yards-stone dead every time-or as the yanks say DRT!

kakashka

@ ROVI..That chap has a serious amount of practice under the belt
Excellent stuff

Jonty

Rovi wrote: »

First, you rent a helicopter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZrFIcWzSEo

If Carlsberg did jobs.......................................

jwshooter

i done my DMQ with a nz guy called blue thomas ,as well as been in the SAS he shot deer goats thar and chammie in the big cull back 70s- 80s from choppers

the ranges of the shots were short ,the animals would stand when there were run out.
they used mostly 222/223s as most shots were fired down into the animal and if not killed it was paralyzed.

a life less ordinary

Feidhlim Dignan

wats the story with shooting goats in kerry theres some feral down there

A Country Voice

I've shot 25-30 feral goats in Clare to clear them out of planted forestry. They were trampling / eating trees.
I bought and used my first firearm for the job, (the reason I bought the firearm was that I was sick of trying to chase the feckers up the near vertical hill, and fixing fences).
Many many experienced shooters told me I'd need a 223 270 or 308 to do the job. I took my advice from a drinking buddy of mine from the time who had fought in various wars in southern africa. He had always carried a 22hornet and it had never let him down. I bought a cz hornet and went to work on them. Never had a goat run anywhere, shot all of them from 50-130 yds. Never had to put a second round into any of them. Usually used 45gr remingtons.
On the legal side, the landowner had asked the local garda near the forest if it was ok, and he had given him the go-ahead, and the landowner gave me the go-ahead then.
If you need a hand from a couple of experienced goat exterminators give me a shout, (a couple because my brother used to do it with me).
There used to be a flock of about 150 of the SMELLY feckers up there. After we got rid of about 40 of them I think the rest of them got the message and took off somewhere else. Havent seen any up there now for about 2 years. I know my brother would love a good day back at the billys again
A Country Voice

dwighet

Feidhlim Dignan wrote: »

wats the story with shooting goats in kerry theres some feral down there

I spotted 3 last friday at killgarvin.....this is my 3rd season there now...never seen em before. Blank and white manky looking things...

jwshooter

dwighet wrote: »

I spotted 3 last friday at killgarvin.....this is my 3rd season there now...never seen em before. Blank and white manky looking things...

i would not say that about them

dwighet

jwshooter wrote: »

i would not say that about them

Oh they were JW...All skin and bone...good looking heads on em but not a pick of meat on em...