Trophy Class Goat

[Jacko]

Found this photo of a Billy goat I claimed under the Australian Bowhunters Association scoring system which is similar to the Douglass scoring system ,  it went 101 3/8th  points which is what they call trophy class . ABA have 3 classes of game . It is scored into a non trophy game claim , trophy and record class based on a % of the current National record . Once again excuse the poor quality of the photo .

As usuall we where hunting Sth West of Bolan Qld driving down a bore drain on our way out to the freshly pulled country at the back of this 48 000 acre property when I spotted this old goat 600 yards out as we rounded a sweeping bend near the sheep yards , he was bedded down by himself under a tree near a fenceline which had sparce but stalkable cover leading up to it  . The other fella's had kills already on this hunt so I needed no prodding to climb out of the ute and cover the 600 yards .

The billy's head was tucked into his flank as he dozed the midday heat away and the wind was favourable so I covered ground to within 60 or 70 metres of him quickly and stopped to plan the next phase - he was still asleep wind was fine so keeping the low shrubs and tree line between the goat and I to break up any movement I just walked as silently as possible up to the fence , at 3 metres I drew my 60# Jarrah selfbow I had made from a floor board and sent Ramin dowell arrow through his ribs and into the tree he was bedded under . I hurdled the fence as he stumbled to his feet , grabbed him buy the horns and stabbed him with my knife to finish him off

Its not usual to find Goats on there own but I suspect this old boy had been driven from a mob by a younger rival as he had fresh chips out of his horns from butting with a stronger rival .

regards Jacko

[kombi1976]

That is a good set, Jack.
Similar to the pair on the billy I took last winter.
Here's a pic....



They measure 34.5" across.

[bsrecurve]

good stuff mate.

[Jacko]

Kombi from memory I think they went 34 1/2" spread as well .

Nice set of horns their too as well mate . At the Safari Club International show a few months back one of the exhibitors had a variety of animal skulls they had painted with copper paint , it had tarnished some as well and made for a really striking display , mounted on a polished up shield your goat skull and horns would look great .

regards Jacko

[kombi1976]

Mine are sitting in the garage waiting for me to buy a boiler so I can finish them off.
Should make a great wall mount.

[Jacko]

I ended hanging that set of horns on a marine ply shield and hanging them off the fence in the backyard over my 3D archery target , they've weathered a bit and I really should rub a bit of boot polish into the horns to colour them up again and follow my own suggestion and copper paint the skull cap . My missus is not particularlty thrilled I hunt and does not appreciate , infact barely tolerates game meat let alone animal bits in the house , she's not even fond of my bowrack which I have glued many of my hunting photo's to . One of my simple pleasures is sitting in the backyard and reminising with mates over a cuppa or a Port sitting across from that ragged old set of horns . For me trophy's taken from game regardless of size are all about the memories not a macho I kilt this thing .

regards Jacko

[kombi1976]

What do you mean by copper paint?
Got a pic of the stuff and the result?
And which colour boot polish do you use? Tan?

[Jacko]

Just about any Hardware chain should sell this stuff - it's a bit pricey but the missus will love you if you paint up some garden ornaments for her  The manufacturers mix tiny copper flakes into a medium that can be brushed on , it then weathers like real copper does .

Use whatever boot polish matches the natural colour of your horns Kombi , you can also use kerosene

regards Jacko