Jim Decker of Shelton managed to get this photo of the mountain goat that he said threatened him while he hiked in the Olympic National Forest near Lake Cushman earlier this week.
I received an email from a friend in Washington State who sent me an article about a man who encountered an aggressive goat while hiking with his wife in the Olympic National Forest this past Tuesday.
Jim Decker became separated from his wife and came face to face with a goat who stalked him.
Another hiker last October was gored by a goats horns to his leg that hit an artery and he bled to death. The goat was shot by rangers soon afterwards.
Decker said that he had seen them a 100 times before but this one acted differently than the others had, so he decided to get off the trail. After he cut a series of switchbacks to avoid the growling animal he appeared in front of him! At one point the goat missed him by 6-inches. He tried hiding behind trees and throwing rocks at him.
He had come prepared with pepper spray and a handgun but left both with his wife. He had in his backpack a 6-inch knife and pulled it out and was ready for the fight of his life!
Soon the mountain goat backed off when he must have scented another hiker. His wife had sent in two hikers to look for him. The goat lost interest when he met up with the hikers.
The incidence was reported to the Olympic National Forest Service.
Experts advise hikers to leave mountain goats alone, saying it is rare for the animals to come near a human.
This was truly a baaaaaaad goat with an attitude!
On this occasion it appears the goat took his cue from "strength in numbers". I am glad to hear reinforcements arrived before the goat took his stalking to seriously.
ReplyDeleteI guess he knew when he was outnumbered and he was only defending his territory big time! Thanks for coming by CDGardens! :)
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