Thread: New Here got my licence this month Goat Problem

Hey all,

Our farm is covered in wild goats. Obviously the neighbors and previous owners never dealt with it. I just brought a .22lr rifle (as it's a good cheap rifle to get the hang of things) and a mate of mine said it will be fine for goats, just get close and go for the head. we have 2 farms and a lease block surrounding a forest so it's up to us to control the numbers, We plan on going into the forest and stalking I've been looking at the highest velocity and heaviest grain ammo, so that shouldn't have a problem penetrating, has anyone here got any advice? would be much appreciated. Has anyone been hunting goats with a 22lr?

I hope to get a 243 as my next rifle as we have some pretty large goats and a few deer roaming as well


Fyi, all pics were taken the same day

Cheers

Do the animals a favor and use at the very least a 222/223. Yes thousands of goats have been shot with the humble 22lr but you don't leave yourself much room for error especially as a new shooter and you owe it to the animal to ensure a quick clean kill.

As an inexperienced shooter I would suggest a 22lr is not the greatest choice for goats, unless shot placement is perfect and close range it has a high chance of not being very humane either.
Do yourself a favor and get a suppressed 223 or 243 and shoot goats till you cant anymore.
No doubt your about to be pummeled with offers of help

get a 223 learn to shoot it at all ranges up to 300 especially head and neck and then you be good to go on deer [ fire power is fine but accuracy is FINAL ]

Goats n the odd deer,223 the way to go or you be chasing wounded goats around.Unless you are a Olympic shooter.

Welcome to the forum.

As mentioned I would recommend at least a 223 for goats.

Heya, I'm based in Hamilton, and keen to help out with pest control. I'm mostly interested in learning and getting better at skinning, gutting, and harvesting. PM me to discuss? If you'd allow me to tag along for the hunt, have a 6.5creedmoor I'm happy for you to use and shoot.

As others have said go with a .223 or similar and you'll have much better success without spending all your time chasing the wounded ones. Use this time to practice your butchering skills as goat's great eating. I'm sure if you want help shooting or just advice there's plenty of people on here that are full of it (knowledge that is).
Best of luck.

Welcome to the forum.

Your other option is to get them rounded up and sell them.
A few crews around specializing in this know.

I think you've got the message. I've seen one goat shot with a 22LR and it was ugly. Two magazines later and the animal was more or less dead. Not acceptable, pest or not. I've no doubt the expert animal culler can do it. For the average hunter or beginner, no.

I would investigate rounding them up for sale , then use the cash to buy a bigger calibre rifle to use on the on-going population that will re-invade the property.

Nice pics , by the way

Id be talking to someone about rounding them up and selling them, could possibly fund that new 308

As others have said, 22 RF leaves absolutely no room for error. If you do use one get within 50 metres and better off using 22 solids, head or axis shot. I’ve shot thousands of goats and only use 22RF when absolutely necessary or shooting recreationally at times. Culling is about numbers on the ground not educating missed or wounded animals. Other option as mentioned is round them up and sell them.

We do goat culling for a farmer up here. I use a 22 hornet usually. Will also use 223, 6.5 gren or 6.5x55 if thats what have at the time. I have also used 22lr it can be done but you need to know your rifle well get close and head shots, they go straight down. Dont use anything under 222 if your going onto doc land.

As a side note we have been mustering and selling but the place we send them to for processing is not doing any in the foreseeable future as they havnt sold what was processed in December.
If any one knows of a processor taking goats please let me know as don't really want to shoot $80 goats to waste.
We have been using crusader.

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