Let the critics and experts say what they want. I had an experience similar to this guiding a hunter this fall also. We found a bunch of Billys, and spent an hour looking through them to find the best one. The goats were on a meadow over 150 yards from the ledges, we got within less than 100 yards for a "sure" shot. The hunter was shooting a 300 mag, and I figured the goat would just drop, but as hunting goes, he hit the goat in the shoulder and it looked like a good hit. For some unknown reason them goats are tough as hell, and he headed straight for the ledge. He laid down about 2 feet from the drop off. We gave him 2 hours, and had people watching him from both sides. Obviously he wasn't hit good enough and didn't want to die. We got closer, about 20 yards and he shot him again and again hitting him each time. The goat walked down a rock chute, and flipped over falling at least 600 feet flipping end over end. We found the goat with one horn, and a completely mangled body. It was a terribly sad deal, as a once in a lifetime permit was basically wasted. As we were trying to do the right thing, as there was nothing left to salvage the meat was completely mangled, most of the hide was gone. So, now I'm sure many "experts" will say that you shouldn't shoot unless they are a safe distance from the ledges and what not, which we did. Now, I am sure people will say make sure to put them down right where they stand, but if anyone has hunted at all you know it don't always work that way. Goat hunting is what it is, tough, and sometimes disappointing in the way things turn out, I am glad you was at least able to retrieve the horns, and you will always remember that hunt. take care.
