Utah's Mountain Goats, Where They Live And How To Stay Safe

If you listened to the Wildside this week, you heard the news that this years “Goat Watch” was cancelled this year as a result of the Cottonwood Fire. When I heard that, I was disappointed. If you haven't been up to see them, the mountain goats are spectacular.

Hikers and backpackers heading into alpine country should be prepared for more than breathtaking scenery. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is reminding outdoor enthusiasts that mountain goats are active in many of the state’s high-elevation ranges, and giving these impressive animals plenty of space is the best way to avoid dangerous encounters.

Southern Utah Mountain Goats Are In The Tushar Mountains

Utah is home to roughly 1,500 mountain goats living in rugged alpine terrain. The largest populations are found in the Uinta Mountains and the Tushar Mountains near Beaver, with additional herds occupying portions of the Wasatch Range, including Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, Provo Peak and Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Mountain goats are uniquely adapted to life in steep, rocky country. According to Rusty Robinson, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator, in a press release, "Mountain goats are really adapted to snowy weather and high-elevation conditions." He explained that their rubbery hooves provide exceptional traction on cliffs, unlike the hard hooves of other big game animals, and that they grow thick winter coats before shedding them as temperatures rise in spring.

Although mountain goats feed primarily on grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and lichen, their behavior changes with the seasons. Nanny goats become especially protective after giving birth to kids in late May. Throughout the summer, mothers and their young gather in nursery herds that often graze in mountain meadows, making them the goats hikers are most likely to encounter. Male goats generally become more aggressive during the breeding season in November.

Wildlife officials recommend staying at least 150 feet away from any mountain goat. If one is walking toward you on a trail, the safest choice is to turn around and create distance. Hikers should also keep dogs leashed, since mountain goats can react aggressively toward pets, and Utah law prohibits dogs from chasing protected hoofed wildlife.

If a mountain goat begins approaching, hikers should slowly back away. Should the animal continue advancing, making loud noises and waving your arms may encourage it to leave. Officials also advise checking with the local land management agency or reading trailhead notices for reports of aggressive goats before beginning a hike.

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Perhaps most importantly, hikers should never feed mountain goats or allow them to lick exposed skin. While these animals may appear calm, they remain wild and can inflict serious injuries with their sharp horns, particularly in the steep terrain they call home.