• U.S. Forest Service (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie, Gifford Pinchot, and Wenatchee)
• National Park Service (Olympic, Mt. Rainer, and North Cascades)
• U.S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division
• Western Washington University
• University of Idaho
• Sauk-Suiattle Tribe
• Upper Skagit Tribe
In addition to funding from WDFW and partners, this project received support from Seattle City Light (Wildlife Research Program), the Stillaguamish Tribe, the Seattle Sportsman Conservation Foundation, and the Wenatchee Sportsmen’s Association.
Our research project was carried out all over the Cascade Range, and some of the surveys were conducted in the Olympics as well. During the project we captured 80 mountain goats and fitted them with GPS tracking collars. With the GPS units in the collars attempting to acquire a location every 3 or 4 hours (and succeeding about 80% of the time), we have learned a lot about their movements throughout the year in many parts of the state. We also used the collars to identify individual mountain goats during aerial survey evaluations.
Photo by Cliff Rice
Helicopter Surveys and Sightability
We recognized that not all mountain goats will be seen during helicopter surveys, and that the chance of not seeing animals varies with the situation. We investigated this by checking whether or not particular mountain goats were seen during surveys flown in 2003-2007, where we had mountain goats wearing collars or where observers on the ground kept track of mountain goats during the aerial survey. In each instance, we kept track of the conditions (such as the size of the group, weather, and characteristics of the terrain) and whether or not that mountain goat was seen during the survey. Therefore, we could evaluate and predict the conditions under which mountain goats were likely (or not likely) to be missed during a survey, and based on the conditions for a survey, estimate how many mountain goats were probably missed. [Report]As a consequence, we now have a formal and statistically sound method for estimating population size based on helicopter surveys. Because we understand the factors leading to mountain goats being missed during surveys, we can adjust survey counts to produce a population estimate for a given area. This is known as applying a sightability model. The amount of adjustment varies with each survey, but may be as low as 5% (Goat Rocks), or as high as 55% (northeast Olympics).
Helicopter survey for mountain goats along Ptarmigan Ridge, near Mt. Baker. Photo by David Wallin
Status
By applying our sightability model to surveys conducted around the state, and adding approximate estimates of mountain goat populations for areas we do not survey, we developed an estimate of the total number of mountain goats in the Washington. The total estimate is 2,815, but due to the uncertainty in the sightability estimation and in guessing about areas not surveyed, this may be as low as 2,401 or as high as 3,184. About 25% of these occur in National Parks (Mt. Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic). [Report]
Mountain goat population summary.
Population models
In 1961, WDFW estimated the number of mountain goats in Washington as 10,355. Are there really only 1/3 as many mountain goats now as there were then? It is difficult to say as the 1961 estimates were quite subjective. Nevertheless, it is clear from accounts for particular areas that mountain goat numbers in some areas have declined substantially, or even drastically, over this period. In Olympic National Park, many mountain goats were removed intentionally due to their non-native status in the Olympics, but what about other areas? Many explanations have been proposed, including disease, predation, recreational disturbance, winter habitat modification, loss of alpine meadows, and excessive harvest, but there has been little solid information on which to evaluate these potential effects. An exception is the factor of sport harvest because we have good records of mountain goat harvest over this period. Although current harvest levels are very conservative, with about 20 permits issued by WDFW each year (for specific areas where mountain goat populations are doing well), past harvest was much higher. In the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, 200-400 mountain goats were killed by hunters every year. In those days, it was thought that mountain goats were biologically much like deer, and could be harvested fairly intensively. We now know that is not true, that mountain goats have low fecundity and late reproductive maturation, and harvest needs to be conservative.We used computer population models to evaluate the effect of past harvest on populations. We modeled mountain populations in seven areas for which we had estimates from 1961, recent population estimates from surveys (and sometimes intermediate estimates), and a good record of harvest. As with all computer models, we had to make some assumptions, but generally our models showed that the magnitude of declines since 1961 were about what would be expected given the harvest that took place. While other factors may have played a role in a few locations or a minor role in general, it is highly plausible that mountain goat population declines in the last 50 years are the result of hunting regulations being too liberal. The good news is that this is a problem that is easy to fix and actually has been fixed, and if our models are correct, recovery can be expected. Nevertheless, this may take some time and for some areas, population augmentation through translocations may be called for. [Report]
Selenium Update
Previously, we speculated that low levels of selenium may have contributed to mountain goat population declines. However, selenium levels in blood serum from captured mountain goats did not support this idea. Although selenium levels were low in a few individuals, generally they were above levels considered deficient for domestic animals.
Population model results for the Bumping Unit.
Habitat
Studies of mountain goat habitat selection are ongoing. They are being undertaken by Tana Beus and Adam Wells, graduate students at Western Washington University (under the direction of David Wallin) and the University of Idaho (under the direction of Oz Garton and Janet Rachlow). Adam’s initial project was to test the mountain goat GPS collars all over the Cascades to see how they performed under varying conditions of terrain and vegetation. This was necessary because, when the GPS collars cannot reach enough GPS satellites, they cannot get a fix. As a result, the record of locations from the collar is biased toward terrain and vegetation which is favorable for GPS reception, and Adam’s work will allow the correction of habitat studies to adjust for this bias. Tana's work will deal with the other issue in using GPS collar locations in habitat studies - the autocorrelation of the GPS fixes. With the completion of Adam’s and Tana’s analyses, we should have a good idea of the factors favored by mountain goats in summer and winter and be able to map these for the entire Cascade Range. This will help in planning translocations and managing mountain goat habitat for recreation, forestry, or whatever. [Report]Seasonal movements
We have known for some time that mountain goats inhabit alpine and sub-alpine areas in the summer and descend to lower elevations during the winter. The extent of this shift in our GPS-collared mountain goats was highly variable. Typically, summer and winter elevations differed by about 1,000 feet, but for some mountain goats, this difference was as little as 200 feet or as much as 2,000 feet. We also found that some mountain goats moved back and forth between higher and lower elevations many times in a year, whereas others stayed a high elevations all summer and at lower elevations all winter. These differences probably reflect differences in the availability of suitable lower elevation habitat and conditions prevailing a different elevations and in different years. It also suggests that the use of lower elevations in winter varies with each location, making it hard to generalize. Overall, summer elevations use started on 6 June whereas winter started on 19 October and the typical duration of summer elevation use was 4.6 months (7.4 months for winter). That is, mountain goats tended to spend longer at lower elevations that at higher elevations. So, although we tend to think of mountain goats as inhabitants of high, alpine terrain, the greater portion of the year is actually spent lower down. [Report]
A mountain goat in winter (Photos by Cliff Rice).
Mineral licks
Prior to this study, little was known about mountain goat use of mineral licks in Washington. Eleven of the GPS-collared mountain goats visited known mineral licks (salt licks) or made excursions from their usual range which were evidently to visit mineral licks. Most mineral lick visits took place 1 June-15 August with peak visitation 14 June-29 July. The greatest distance a mountain goat traveled to visit a mineral lick was 18 miles (see video), but 3 miles was more typical and one mountain goat visited a mineral lick within his normal range of movements. Long-distance movements were essentially migratory in that the mountain goat traveled to the lick once a year and stayed in that area for an extended period (a month or more). Other mountain goats, however, stayed in the vicinity of the lick for only a few days once or maybe twice a year and some made repeated trips back and forth from the lick area (see video). These differences were evidently related to the distance traveled and the suitability of habitat in the vicinity of the lick.Analysis of soils collected from mineral licks strongly indicated the sodium was the chemical most sought after at licks although concentrations of calcium, potassium, and sulphate were also somewhat elevated in lick soils. [Report]
View Video (Quicktime) of 2D record of mountain goat making repeated visits to a mineral licks near Glacier Peak.
Genetics
Using genetic samples from mountain goats captured during this project and from mountain goat hunters who submitted samples, Andrew Shirk (a graduate student at Western Washington University, under the direction of David Wallin) is looking into genetic characteristics of mountain goats in Washington. Andrew’s project will examine geographic features which inhibit or block dispersal by mountain goats, whether there is concern for the genetic health about isolated populations, and the success of mountain goat translocations. All of these issues will contribute to our ability to maintain healthy mountain goat populations in Washington. [Report]
Genetic populations of mountain goats in Washington (courtesy of Andrew Shirk).
Mountain goat viewing in Washington
Mountain goats are widely distributed in the Cascade and Olympic Ranges and can be encountered almost anywhere in alpine terrain. However there are several locations where viewing mountain goats is particularly rewarding because of high population levels or because they are tolerant of humans approaching them.Ptarmigan Ridge
Description: Located between Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker, this hike offers spectacular views. It starts at a high elevation, so relatively little uphill hiking is required. There are about 200 mountain goats in this area and they may be spotted anywhere along this 4 mile hike. Expect to encounter snowfields year-round.Directions: From Bellingham, take Hwy 542 to its end at Artist Point. Take the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail #682.1.
The Enchantments
Description: Visiting the Enchantments is usually a multi-day trip and involves a strenuous climb of 4,000-5,000 feet. Mountain goats in the Enchantment Basin are very tolerant of humans and may be pests.Directions: The Enchantments can be accessed from the east or west, off the Icicle Canyon Road, near Leavenworth. For either approach, a Wilderness Permit must be obtained in advance.
Burroughs/Fremont
Description: On the north side of Mt. Rainier, mountain goats are often seen on Burroughs Mountain or from the trail to the Mt. Fremont Lookout with Mt. Rainier looming as a backdrop. The Mt. Fremont Lookout trail is relatively level over about 3 miles. The Burroughs Mountain trail climbs a bit more (about 2,000 feet) over about 4 miles.Directions: From Enumclaw, take Hwy 410 to the White River Road and enter Mt. Rainier National Park at the White River Ranger Station. Proceed to the Sunrise Visitor Center and take the trail to Frozen Lake where the trails branch to the Mt. Fremont Lookout or Burroughs Mountain.
Mt. Ellinor
Description: A band of mountain goats is often encountered near the summit of Mt. Ellinor and they are very tolerant of humans. This is a short, steep hike which gains about 3,000 feet over 2½ miles.Directions: From Hoodsport, take State Route 119 9.0 miles to the junction with FS Road #24. Turn right and go 1.6 miles to FS Road #2419 (Big Creek Road). Travel 6.4 miles to turn left on FS Road #2419- 014, follow it to the end of road. The trail ascends from there.
Jumbo Peak
Description: This moderate hike has about 1,500 feet of elevation gain and the mountain goats here are somewhat tolerant of humans. There are great views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. You may encounter motorbikes.Directions: From Randle, take Forest Service Road 23 south about 22 miles and turn right on Road 2334. After about 5 miles, turn right on the short spur Road 2324.063 to the trailhead. Follow the Sunrise Trail #262 for about 1.2 miles to Juniper Ridge Trail #261 and follow this trail south for another 1½ miles.
Goat Rocks
Description: To visit mountain goat country in the Goat Rocks is usually a multi-day trip. Nearly 300 mountain goats inhabit the Goat Rocks and can be encountered over much of it. Chimney Rocks, from Goat Lake to Johnson Peak, the McCall Basin, and the headwaters of the Cispus River are all locations where one can expect to find mountain goats.Directions: There are numerous ways to access the Goat Rocks. Popular trailheads are at Chambers Lake and Walupt Lake.
Remember: Travel in mountain terrain can be hazardous—be prepared. Bring binoculars. Do not offer food to mountain goats (or other wildlife). Go without your pets. A Northwest Forest Pass may be required for parking at trailheads.
