Oregon Mountain Goat

Unit 916 (916A)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Mountain Goat

Oregon mountain goat hunt 916A is one of the rarest big game tags in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon issues only a handful of statewide goat tags each year, and hunt area 916A covers rocky alpine terrain in northeast Oregon — likely the Wallowa or Elkhorn Mountains. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity requiring years of preference-point accumulation and serious backcountry preparation.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 916

Where to Find Mountain Goats in Hunt Area 916A

Mountain goats occupy the most extreme vertical terrain in northeast Oregon's high country.

Cliff Bands and Rocky Ridges

Focus your search on cliff bands, rocky outcrops, and steep scree fields above timberline. Glass systematically from opposing ridges — white goat coats stand out against rock when you cover sufficient terrain at dawn when light is favorable.

Alpine Basins (7,000-9,000+ ft)

High-elevation basins with adjacent cliff faces hold goats year-round. Concentrate glassing at the upper margins of basins where rocky terrain meets the most severe cliffs. Goats often appear as white dots on distant cliff faces and move little during the day.

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How to Hunt Mountain Goats in Oregon Hunt 916A

Oregon mountain goat hunting requires technical alpine fitness, quality optics, and serious logistical planning.

Extended Glassing Campaigns

With very few goats in the unit, locating your animal is the primary challenge. Plan multiple full days of glassing from different vantage points. Most successful goat hunters spend 3-5 days locating their animal before making a move.

Technical Alpine Stalks

Approaching goats requires comfort in extreme terrain — steep scree, cliff bands, and loose rock. Plan stalks from above whenever possible. Bring trekking poles and appropriate mountain footwear for exposure and loose rock stability.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Archery40%

Oregon mountain goat hunts achieve very high success rates — typically 85-100% — because tag numbers are so limited relative to the goat population. The challenge is drawing the tag, not the hunt itself. Hunters who finally draw after years of application are prepared and committed to success.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	1	1,710	0.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mountain goat tags in Oregon are among the rarest in the western US. Oregon may issue only 1-3 tags for hunt code 916 in any given year. Accumulate preference points every year — many applicants go decades without drawing. Apply every year for maximum lifetime odds at myodfw.com.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Snowmelt and alpine streams at elevation. Carry filtration.

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Road Conditions

Access to the alpine zone requires hiking 5-15+ miles from the nearest trailhead. No motorized access in wilderness areas.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Technical alpine terrain with exposure. Not appropriate without serious backcountry fitness and experience.

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Hunting Pressure

Virtually none. Tag rarity means exclusive use of the unit.

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Weather

Alpine weather changes rapidly. Snow possible any month at elevation. Prepare for cold, wind, and storms.

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Cell Service

None. Satellite communicator required.

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Nearest Town

Enterprise or Baker City (full services), 1-3 hours from alpine areas depending on route.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How rare is the Oregon mountain goat 916A tag?

Extremely rare — Oregon may issue only 1-3 tags for this specific hunt code annually. This is a lifetime tag for most hunters. Apply every year and accumulate preference points to maximize lifetime chances.

What gear do I need for Oregon mountain goat hunting?

Plan for extended backcountry camping in extreme terrain: quality trekking poles, technical mountain boots, a warm lightweight sleeping system, and sufficient food for 7-10 days. A large-frame pack for meat packing out and a spotting scope of 60-80x are essential.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates per weapon/species, Tag quotas per hunt number · accessed 2026-04-18
ODFW Big Game Hunting Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Season structures, WMU-level special regulations, Public-access overviews · accessed 2026-04-18
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Population estimates per management unit · accessed 2026-04-18
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point/random draw structure, Historical draw odds per hunt number · accessed 2026-04-18