The Largest Rocky Mountain Goat Ever Caught in Oregon

One of the most iconic animals in all of Oregon is the Rocky Mountain goat. Although listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, Rocky Mountains goat populations are slowly declining. In Oregon, Rocky Mountain goat hunting is limited. By the 1800s, they were locally extinct. Currently, reintroduction efforts are underway with some success. Each year, only 25 Rocky Mountain goat tags are available. They are true “once-in-a-lifetime” tags. Even with the limits, there have been impressive catches in the state. Follow along to discover the largest Rocky Mountain goat ever caught in Oregon.

What is the Largest Rocky Mountain Goat Ever Caught in Oregon?

According to the Boone and Crockett Club’s Oregon State Big Game Records, the largest Rocky Mountain goat ever caught in Oregon scored a 54. Technically, there are two record winners as they’ve tied for first place. In 2012, William L. Garroutte impressively caught a 54-scoring Rocky Mountain goat. Nine years later in 2021, Brent R. Glidden also caught a state-record Rocky Mountain goat.

About Rocky Mountain Goats

Now that we know about the largest Rocky Mountain goat ever caught in Oregon, we can learn more about this amazing animal. Rocky Mountain goats are members of the Bovidae family. They have a specific range and are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Appearance and Size

So, what does a Rocky Mountain goat look like? No two Rocky Mountain goats are exactly identical, but they share many of the same general characteristics. For instance, they have grayish-white or yellow double coats, which protect them from the elements. Rocky Mountain goats also have wooly beards, long black horns, and short tails. Their long black horns are about 5.9 to 11 inches long. These goats can range from 47 to 70 inches long.

Distribution and Habitat

Rocky Mountain goats are mainly found within and near the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range. They also live in other mountain regions of the Western Cordillera of North America. Some states that Rocky Mountain goats inhabit include Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska. They mainly inhabit high-altitude habitats, sometimes as high as 13,000 feet.

Diet

This goat species mainly eats plant material like grasses, mosses, twigs, leaves, ferns, and herbs. These grazing herbivores also consume salt by licking natural salt licks. Interestingly, Rocky Mountain goats can travel more than 15 miles to find a salt lick.

Predators

Rocky Mountain goats have quite a few predators. They can be hunted down by mountain lions, lynxes, gray wolves, and brown bears. Young Rocky Mountain goats are more vulnerable to predators, including bald eagles and wolverines.

Other Mammals in Oregon

Although Rocky Mountain goats are limited in Oregon, there are many other mammals within the state. Follow along to discover other mammals that live in Oregon and some fun facts about each.

North American Beaver

The first animal on our list is the North American beaver. This large beaver species is native to North America. It’s best known for its long and wide, paddle-like tail. North American beavers are very common animals. They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

These big rodents can weigh over 40 pounds. The average weight of a North American beaver though varies a lot depending on the region. Beavers also have thick large teeth, which they use to cut through trees, logs, and branches. This is an important skill for dam building, which is how they protect themselves from predators.

Beavers are very social animals. They often mate for life, with few exceptions. These social rodents can live in large groups, also known as colonies.

Moose

Another mammal on our list is the moose, the largest living extant deer. Moose are native to many parts of the Northern Hemisphere and mainly live in thick forests. These majestic and large animals are the official state animal of Maine! Moose are best known for their massive size and unique antlers. Although moose are one of the largest animals in Oregon, there are only about 40 to 50 within the state. They can easily weigh over 1,700 pounds.

Humpback Whale

Also in Oregon are marine mammals, like the humpback whale. Humpback whales are one of the largest animals in the world. These beautiful animals have a wide range. They feed in polar waters and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed. Humpback whales are social animals that hunt uniquely. They use bubbles to confuse and catch their prey. Sadly, humpback whales were once heavily targeted by the whaling industry. By the 1960s, there may have been fewer than 5,000 humpback whales in the wild. The population though has bounced back.

Pacific White-sided Dolphin

Another marine mammal found off the coast of Oregon is the Pacific white-sided dolphin. It’s sometimes also called the hookfin porpoise. Pacific white-sided dolphins have creamy white throats, chins, and bellies. Their beaks, backs, dorsal fins, and flippers are dark grey. They also have light grey patches on the sides and near their eyes. Pacific white-sided dolphins are medium-sized and can weigh up to 440 pounds. Male Pacific white-sided dolphins are larger than females.

American Bison

The last mammal on our list is the American bison native to North America. It’s an iconic animal of the United States and an important animal for many Native American tribes. American bison are very long. They can measure as much as 11 feet and 6 inches long, not including the tail. American bison may also weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.