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Mountain Goat kid count- 7 day Conservation Experience

Currency:USD Category:Hunting / Trips Start Price:2,500.00 USD
Mountain Goat kid count- 7 day Conservation Experience
Mountain Goat kid count- 7 day Conservation Experience for 2 people (all proceeds benefit the Chilotin Ark Institute and its conservation initiatives)


40% of Mountain Goat kids die from starvation, predation (particularly from cougar, wolf and grizzly), accident and disease each year. Together with the Chilcotin Ark Institute, BCTMO Conservation Club organizes kid counts. On each kid count, we carefully record the location, age and sex of all sheep that we see. This allows us to build up detailed records of the Mountain Goat herds to assess annual recruitment and assess if kid death is more likely a cause of predation, disease or due to other reasons. From this, we shape our conservation management practices to help maintain Mountain Goat populations at a sustainable herd size.

Donation: Two people can participate on a 7 day Mountain Goat kid Count Conservation Experience. Spend your days riding on horseback across the tops of sandy shale mountains and glassing the slopes for Mountain Goats. Spend the night in a cabin, wall tent or spike camp near the Mountain Goat, allowing you to make the most of every opportunity.

You will be given the option of several dates to pick from.

Itinerary:
Day 1
On our Mountain Goat kid Count Conservation Experience, arrive at the ranch and enjoy lunch in our historic lodge. Then meet your horse, learn how to saddle, take a short ride to prepare for the next day.

Day 2
Early next morning bring in your horses, saddle your riding horse, learn to pack the pack horses then ride out to camp. Scout for Mountain Goat at prime spots along the way. Set up camp and ride out again to scout for Mountain Goat in the evening. Unsaddle and stake your horses in the wildflower meadows, cook dinner over the campfire and enjoy the night in a cabin, wall tent or spike camp, allowing you to stay close to nature throughout the trip.

Day 3-5
The next morning ride out at sunrise to check for tracks and scout for Mountain Goat in their prime locations. Learn about where to find the Mountain Goat and their behaviours and carefully record the location, age and sex of all Mountain Goat that we see. Return to camp for breakfast, or make a fire and cook on the trail. Enjoy a day ride to the mountain tops to keep scouting for sheep and learn more about the flora and fauna. Record every animal you see in our wildlife sightings form to contribute to habitat and population management. Some of the other species you might see include moose, grizzly and black bears, mule deer, cougar, wolves and eagles. Remove invasive species and collect data along the way such as grizzly hair from rub trees for DNA analysis. Return to camp for dinner, then ride out at sunset for one last check for Mountain Goats.

Day 6
The next day, ride out in the morning for one last scout. Return to camp and pack up. Ride back to the ranch, looking for Mountain Goat and tracks along the way. Arrival at the ranch. Enjoy a Wild Harvest Dinner to celebrate your accomplishments.

Day 7
On your final morning, review the trip and data collected. Farewell lunch at the ranch.

Included: Meal, Lodging, Horses and Tack, Guides

Not-included: Airfare, Transportation to and from Airport.