Winter time goat hunting up in the hills

I'm out on on a local contract shoot today hunting Feral Goats.
The biggest challenge hunting the goats on this property is the steep terrain and dense vegetation.
The goats pass through here occasionally and crossing paths with them is really a game of chance.
Generally, my plan of attack is to send up the drone and see if they are about.
I managed to locate what I thought was a small mob of goats via the drone on the far side of the property in a clearing towards the bottom of the hill.
With the goats roughly 2km away, I quickly got all my gear together and set off on foot as it was way too wet for the vehicle.
Running my Sako .223 topped with the HikMicro Panther PQ50L V2.0 thermal scope.
First obstacle was to avoid the farmers friends and not slip over on the muddy ground.
The walk in was a bit of a challenge with a group of rogue cattle running up the wet track in front of me towards the area that I had spotted the goats. I thought for sure that they were going to ruin the hunt.
Fortunately for me, the goats had moved further up the hillside and away from the crazy cows.
After spooking a couple of the local skippy's I managed to get into a semi reasonable position to have a crack. Goats running in all directions after the first shot struck home. Trying to weave bullets through small gaps in the trees was no easy task.
Seconds later and the mob had dispersed, I managed to put my foot on 4 of the goats I had shot however the scrub was too thick to continue looking so I decided to give chase in the hope of catching back up with the mob.
After a 1 kilometre slog through the dense scrub, I was on them again.
Quickly setting up the tripod, slowing down my breathing and steadying my aim.
A handful of goats now at 200m and slowly walking away.
I sent the first shot into the boiler room of the nearest goat and what happened next was a total surprise. Goats came from everywhere, grouping back up and heading in my direction.
Waiting impatiently for a closer shot I spotted a large mob of billy's appear from my left. They must have come out of the creek. I certainly wasn't prepared for that.
Settling the crosshair on the lead billy, headshot and down he went. Once again goats running everywhere. 4 more took hits on the run with 3 dropping on the spot and 1 goat making it 20m before hitting the deck. Just when the last one disappeared from site and I thought it was all over, I saw a young goat on the far hill trying to catch up with the main mob. I took what I thought was a solid shot and had a total miss. The goat turned and ran away. You get that sometimes I suppose. Grrr
With the weather closing in, I decided to head back to the car and send the drone back up to see how many goat carcasses I could locate.
5 found out of the first encounter and 6 from the second. Pretty happy with that result considering the challenging terrain and I'm certain the farmer will be too.
In Australia, feral goats have been estimated to cause losses to livestock farming of $25 million per year, not including their impact on the environment or pasture degradation. Feral goats also negatively affect conservation values and biological diversity by damaging the vegetation and competing with native animals.
If your'e interested in purchasing any gear or just after some expert advice, contact the Team at "Hunt The Night" via the link below.
www.huntthenight.com.au/
Thanks again for watching and I look forward to seeing you back here soon.
RJM

[@JHruby]

It was like the goat army charging your position there. Thought you were done for. Gored by goats, an inglorious end.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. You and me both mate 😅

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

My brother in-law and I chased a mob through country where it was rifles on backs and crawl up hill then slide down the other side. We did that for nine miles lol. We gave up and took a guess as to where they were going and walked around the ridges to a creek and withing minutes they walked straight up to us. Sometimes luck is with you.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

9 miles... wow, that's a decent effort mate 👌

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia Many bloody years ago but I ran three and a quarter miles (5 K's) each day back then.

[@jasonwiggins2579]

Love seeing some of those shots. Young lad screams at TV to shoot. Lots of hard work you put out for our enjoyment. Thank you

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

No worries mate. Glad you enjoy them 👊

[@jayjudd6518]

Congratulations on giving us a good show.😊😊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@davidhandyman7571]

That was a huge effort to get to the goats for just a few minutes of shooting. That's what it is. If you do not put in the effort, you don't get the result. Well done.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yep. Makes it sweeter when you get a result though 😉

[@Kakuro-hl1kk]

Thank you for the exciting and entertaining videos. You live a life that I envy. Many greetings from Germany.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated mate. Thankyou 👍

[@scottgrinham1724]

Haha you’ve got the disco shoes on again!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Absolutely. 🤦‍♂️😅

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Rod, I am exhausted just watching you manage the scrub. Great video, shame about the wind, Cheers

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Thanks mate. Wasn't too bad. 👌

[@8marcrara11]

Goodonya RJM thanks for taking us along👍👍🇦🇺

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure!!

[@timbrown8581]

Another awesome video. Goats always give us a cardio workout!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Does me good mate. 😬

[@chainweaver3361]

I love watching your videos & appreciate the effort you make to bring us content. TYVM. 👍👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure mate. Glad you're enjoying the channel 👊

[@pauldixon3089]

Good job done. That was not easy in all that scrub. Like looking for a needle in a haystack. Keep at them 👍🇬🇧

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Paul. Will do mate 👊

[@marlibeckford1283]

Hey mate, just come over from your episode on the Australian hunting podcast. Good to see the channel going well👍🤙

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated mate. Thankyou 👊

[@matthewdibb9048]

Great video certainly a strange way to muster goats but well shot 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Mustering was never my intention Matt 😎

[@johnallen8618]

Nice work Rodney, always good to watch your adventures 🤓

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers John. It was an eventful afternoon 👌

[@darylstorer3369]

As always cobber, top job. Thank you mate.🤠

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure mate. Thanks for watching 👊

[@danietheart2333]

Good shooting and tx for the video. Amazing how many goats there are, cause a lot of damage. With appreciation from South Africa

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks for that mate 👍

[@mikegregory5620]

Love it!! Good on ya Rod. A nice bit of winter Goat curry.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Mike 👊

[@michael-fb7ps]

Awesome stuff mate got a few on the deck bloody thick through there too great job and great shooting mate cheers

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Michael 👊

[@davidpaylor5666]

Good shooting and some beautiful countryside. Nice one mate, thanks for posting.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks David 👊

[@gonegliding2966]

Some difficult conditions to work with. Good shooting Rod!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy. Made for an eventful afternoon 👍

[@58dunc]

Good shoot Rod.love that scope.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy 👊

[@wozzatherockdog1778]

I had two hunting feeds come up. Decided to watch yours first as the other guy was out protecting porridge 🥣 😂

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Thanks mate 👊

[@waynetomkins5584]

That's really hard going Rod but once again nice work. 👍😎

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thankyou Wayne 👊

[@MrBHuntingDownUnder]

Great job fella, I would’ve stopped for a lie down 🤣

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

If it wasn't so wet I probably would have 😅

[@davidcerullo7976]

Great video 📹 👍 👏 👌 🙌 😀 Happy hunting!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers David 🍻

[@rogeraldridge8426]

Looks like hard work ,not like your last vid with the rabbits and air rifle, but at least you got rid of a few happy farmer.👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Love the varied aspects of the job. No two are the same. Keeps it interesting for sure

[@seagullpoet]

This was tough work ! Your legs must be made of iron. Seeing that mob of goats - wow. I remember a cartoon…. a goat would eat everything and anything in sight. Lol.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Not as fit as I'd like to be mate Not as young either 🤣

[@bobcatforever3485]

Good video and shooting. A lot of work. Thanks for sharing and take care.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy

[@user-bs7jh2ik5s]

I watch your video very much, I love your hunting style

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate

[@7purse]

You needed a simi for that job. If the government didn't set up Martin Briant we still have our semi automatic firearms.😊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yeah. Not much we can do about it now though 🤷‍♂️

[@7purse]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia we need all licence firearm owners to enforce our government on new investigation on Port Arthur. We can do a lot. We just need the numbers 👍

[@rosalindstewart7013]

First Hollywood posts a vid now you Rod, we been spoilt tonight mate, cheers Yogi ✌️🤙

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Gotta keep you fellas entertained 👊

[@rosalindstewart7013]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia and that ya do a top job of Rod cheers Yogi ✌️🤙

[@intothenight1993]

Good work mate.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy

[@calibreman]

Another great video Rod, well done. Geoff. UK.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Many thanks Geoff 👍

[@boarhunter8685]

Hello Rod, well done. The goats have a nice trophy, that as a german hunter, I would hunt and definitely hang on my "wall of shame".

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate👍 Unfortunately it doesn't look very professional taking trophy's when you're getting paid to do a job. He did have a good spread through the 👊

[@WTF_Australia]

Good job mate.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks!

[@TheRealDogfart]

Nice work.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate

[@David-mz3or]

Great shooting👍🏻👏🏻✅⭐️🫵🏼

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you

[@trinityyin9190]

Good job, brother. Another great one.👍👍🐐🐐🐐

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champ

[@bubbagartland7768]

them look just like our kiko goats...love this video you walked as much as we do treeing raccoons. we average 8 miles a night

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Wow. I didn't walk any where near that far even though it felt like it 🤣👊

[@AlexKarel-bh3yy]

💚💚💚💗💚

[@Towball]

Phew can smell them billys from here . 🤣

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

I know right. They reek 🤢

[@Browneye2566]

I bet you're glad its not summer Rodney.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

100% mate. I'm more of a winter person 😬

[@paulfairbrass4424]

You've earned your crust that day , i though those goat's were running towards you.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

The did a u turn and came straight at me once the shooting started mate 👌

[@kevinatkins6235]

Nice one Rod. Gumboots might have been a good idea. Ha.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Great idea. Won't make that mistake again 😅

[@hanslain9729]

Great content again.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Glad you think so! 👊

[@renepicard8113]

Another great video

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@pamster2147]

good job mate bloody tough terrain

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champion

[@lindabreckler777]

Sorry the weather turned bad, but the shooting was well done. Enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated Linda 👊

[@MinhNguyen-nl1gm]

Hello. Chúc bạn ngày vui vẻ may mắn hạnh phúc và An Lành nhé. Bạn tuyệt vời 🇦🇺👍.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thankyou

[@massumking6498]

Nice shooting, pity it was so wet

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate

[@SMarkar14]

Thanks for another great video Rodney. Suddenly got a craving for kid curry.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. Hard to beat a good curry 👊

[@bigd4000]

Nice work mate and stay safe budd 🤙

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks 👊

[@sjshar1510]

Great work!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you! 👊

[@brettellis1837]

I bet add another 💯 plus ➕.

[@garytree7729]

Pffft....!! Looks like a summer day in Scotland....

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha, I'm sure it does 😅

[@darrenbaldock2370]

Great marksmanship again as always bro Conditions not the best but good on ya mate

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Darren

[@darrenbaldock2370]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia Always comment on ya videos brother Keep up the great content Can not wait till the next upload

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Legend 👊

[@Wadaryu1000]

Good workout, thanks for positing, always great content and good, accurate, humane shooting.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated mate. Thankyou 👊

[@ezrabrook3993]

👍🏼🎯✌🏻 good video

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks 👍

[@brettellis1837]

Lol you should of taken a 900equinox. Bloody keen holy shit ya need a semi auto. Unreal.😂😂.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. True that 😅

[@brettellis1837]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia AND 1000 ROUNDS I BET YA WILL NEED IT.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Too heavy 😬

[@brettellis1837]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia HARD WORK MAN TO WALK IN AND OUT TOP VIDEO.

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

Considering the muddy terrain mate, not a bad roundup of goats. Shame you didn't have more ammo, but then you need that note to self, eh Rod? Always expect the unexpected. Take care mate.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Lex,

[@gp3829]

Well done. That was a fair-sized Herd to have a Shot at single-handedly. Is it worth having a colleague with you, both taking Shots when the Herd starts running? Also from a H&S point of view, rather than your working alone in the Outback.

[@Kearnesy]

Great video mate. Later in the year thinking chasing goats first time state forest

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Best of luck with it mate. Always good fun chasing goats 👌

[@godders7964]

You sure need to be careful in that terrain. One bad slip and bloody hell ... Do you have a sat phone, Rod?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Nah mate. Good mobile coverage in this area fortunatelyin case it hits the fan. 👌

[@IrenaHosttoaGhost000]

Ah Rodney I have a great recipe for goats, nanny goats not the bucks, take off the hind legs, skin and DE knuckle from the hip and elbow, let hang in refrigeration for however long you want, bring to room temp, dust with plain flour, salt and pepper, braise in a frypan in lard ....all sides and place in a roasting pan, drizzle over olive oil and place sprigs of thyme and Rosmary, delicious....or I can tell you all about a Moroccan Tagine dish of goat meat and sweet fruits like raisin and apricots done in a camp oven mmmmmmm, send me some goat meat, not a Billy goat lol

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

The camp oven recipe sounds sensational. 😜

[@Frombie_01]

G'day. I've watched a few of your videos now, nice work. Do you ever pick up any of the goats or rabbits you shoot and take home for the pantry, so to speak?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yes. Sometimes mate. Depends on the job and how much room I have in the freezer

[@sticustom]

I could smell the video.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Smellavision 😅

[@sticustom]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia it wasn’t pretty 🤣

[@robsin2810]

You need a semi automatic with a suppressor. Language is a tad rough. Good vid.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

What can I say. There was no time for censorship on this hunt.

[@MinhNguyen-nl1gm]

Tay thiện xạ của Australia. Khó có con thú hoang nào chạy khỏi khẩu súng bạn 🇦🇺👋.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers

[@bruceyeoward6544]

Generally only the first shot is at a standing goat next shots on the run, good shooting. Out of interest are you using a Thermal scope in day light?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yes mate, works well in thick scrub like this.

[@shalininaicker]

You'll have to get yourself an ATV for the wet times.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

I reckon a side by side might be more my style mate 😉

[@jamescarre6743]

What are you referring to in "the farmers friend on your trousers"?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

It's what we call the weed "Bidens pilosa" James.

[@ezrabrook3993]

G'day, mate. How do u like ur goat cooked?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Curried please. Not those stinky billy's though 🤮

[@raybass2598]

Fish in a bowl

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Almost 😉

[@flailios]

As they say in the online RPG world, it looks like you "pulled a train".

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Certainly not a term I'm familiar with 🤦‍♂️

[@flailios]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia it's what happens when you try to single off one "mob" (or monster) and accident agro all of them. 😂

[@josephlipetzky2825]

How invasive is the goat where you are at

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

This mob has been an issue for years in the area. Moving from property to property, spreading weeds and buggering fences.

[@josephlipetzky2825]

Thin the Herd

[@YenZenBamboo]

Do you carry a land based EPIRB with you?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

No usually. Certainly something I should seriously consider though mate

[@YenZenBamboo]

I wonder if an AirTag would work in being able to find you. Someone may be able to make comment as this to me would be great if it worked as it would be so light to have on you.. ?

[@mowglite2569]

what car you driving?

[@mowglite2569]

any how, ill be your driver if you want one, na just kidding, but keep it up with these awesome vids.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Toyota Hilux mate

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@mowglite2569]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia Toyota Hilux , and here's me thinking like actual car, 😂I'm dying. (but they are one of the best farm bakkies ever)

[@hidelkanarkond4849]

delicias

[@dougmcfee8351]

Get an electric fat tire bike, very quite. Don’t buy a cheap one that whines

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

I'd stack that for sure 🤣 Would be fun though