Old soldier.

He was struggling along with an old injury, and wouldn't have survived the winter.
Well done.

You may have read my drivel about my trip last month, to the Isle of Rùm.

That was my first go at the goats.

I managed to take two - the second of which had been carrying a badly broken FOS leg. Glad to see an end to it's suffering.
 
are you eating it?
Normally I would, but not this one. A billy in full rut isn't a pleasant thing to handle. Even after stripping off before entering the house, putting all my clothes straight in the washing machine, and having a shower, the smell was still on me!
He had to be culled though, as he'd come down of the higher part of the mountain into an area frequented by the public, and on account of his previous injury people would have made a fuss. Better to take him out and avoid the hassle, even if it is a bit of a waste to shoot one in the rut.
 
I'll clean it up and keep it. Was half tempted to go for a mount, but couldn't really justify the expense. I'll save my cash for when I get the biggest billy goat gruff!
If you wait til you get the biggest you’ll never get one done, that’s a nice goat.
A mate got one mounted about 10 years ago, on damp days it still perfumes his garage, it used to perfume the hall stairs and landing til it was moved.
 
If you wait til you get the biggest you’ll never get one done, that’s a nice goat.
A mate got one mounted about 10 years ago, on damp days it still perfumes his garage, it used to perfume the hall stairs and landing til it was moved.
There are much bigger ones on my ground. I'll get one one day.
 
Goat is one of my favourite meats to eat. I not sure a Billy in full rut would be edible though 😊, a few weeks ago I left the back door open on my pick up at a friends farm. Unfortunately his Pygmy Billy goat decided the back seat was a comfortable place to rest.I can still smell him now when the truck has been closed up for a bit. I think this one could be destined for a curry though as has started pulling all the front number plates of any vehicles that are in the yard.
 
Normally I would, but not this one. A billy in full rut isn't a pleasant thing to handle. Even after stripping off before entering the house, putting all my clothes straight in the washing machine, and having a shower, the smell was still on me!
He had to be culled though, as he'd come down of the higher part of the mountain into an area frequented by the public, and on account of his previous injury people would have made a fuss. Better to take him out and avoid the hassle, even if it is a bit of a waste to shoot one in the rut.
completely understand, not every thing we shoot should be eaten, some stuff would take a serious hunger to tackle. ive tried wild goat once!
 
@VSS

I have to say that is one of the most respectable poses I have seen photographed.

I have been on paid stalks and not had what I saw as gratuitous photos with/of the cull animal
as I can never do the animal justice and felt bad with early attempts.

Cracking memories of what takes skill and patience to ethically and humanely manage wild animals that will fade over time, a photo will always assist in remembering the day.



In simple terms. Great photo.
 
@VSS

I have to say that is one of the most respectable poses I have seen photographed.

I have been on paid stalks and not had what I saw as gratuitous photos with/of the cull animal
as I can never do the animal justice and felt bad with early attempts.

Cracking memories of what takes skill and patience to ethically and humanely manage wild animals that will fade over time, a photo will always assist in remembering the day.



In simple terms. Great photo.
Thank you.
I generally take 2 pictures of everything I shoot, one with the rifle, and one without, just for my own record, not to share. I don't make any attempt to pose them. However, I felt that this old chap deserved a slightly better effort.
 
I was once visiting a keeper friend who had borrowed a Billy to serve his two nannies. You could smell it from 100 yds. As we chatted the local "know it all" came down the drive and my pal suddenly started to puff and blow. What you up to asked the lad, "Trying to catch that goat, but we can't, just need to get a halter on him and put him in a stable." No problem" says matey and I get the wink from my pal and realise what he's up to. Well he caught it easily and to add to things picked it up and carried it to the stable. By this time my pal was in hysterics and I had to run round the corner before I burst a gut holding laughter in. Apparently.the chaps wife pushed him out of the house with a broom,made him strip off, and bath using washing up liquid and rainwater. This all watched with amazement by the underkeeper's wife who lived next door. I was glad I was loading the next time I was there and the lad was beating, but all day you would swear there were several goats in the beating line. Nothing like a practical joke to bring out the worst in folk.
 
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