Idaho Mountain Goat Management Plan 2019-2024 Prepared by IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME June 2019 Recommended Citation: Idaho Mountain Goat Management Plan 2019-2024. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, USA. Team Members: Paul Atwood – Regional Wildlife Biologist Nathan Borg – Regional Wildlife Biologist Clay Hickey – Regional Wildlife Manager Michelle Kemner – Regional Wildlife Biologist Hollie Miyasaki– Wildlife Staff Biologist Morgan Pfander – Regional Wildlife Biologist Jake Powell – Regional Wildlife Biologist Bret Stansberry – Regional Wildlife Biologist Leona Svancara – GIS Analyst Laura Wolf – Team Leader & Regional Wildlife Biologist Contributors: Frances Cassirer – Wildlife Research Biologist Mark Drew – Wildlife Veterinarian Jon Rachael – Wildlife Game Manager Additional copies: Additional copies can be downloaded from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at fishandgame.idaho.gov Front Cover Photo: ©Hollie Miyasaki, IDFG Back Cover Photo: ©Laura Wolf, IDFG Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) adheres to all applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, disability or veteran’s status. If you feel you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility of IDFG, or if you desire further information, please write to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, Mailstop: MBSP-4020, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, Telephone: (703) 358-2156. This publication will be made available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact IDFG for assistance. Costs associated with this publication are available from IDFG in accordance with Section 60-202, Idaho Code. Approved July 2014 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting. Printed 7/2019/PCA 41918/GG Idaho Department of Fish & Game iii Executive Summary ountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are an close to rocky cliffs. Availability of high-quality Miconic alpine species; highly valued by both habitat limits mountain goat distribution in Idaho. hunters and non-hunters. These striking, white Most threats impacting mountain goats are direct animals are found in the most rugged mountains threats to their habitat or indirect threats that across the state. Hunters and other outdoor cause them to leave preferred habitat. Habitat recreationists alike enjoy watching these sure- alteration caused by actions, such as road footed animals balance on cliff ledges and forage building, mining, or changing climate, may reduce in alpine meadows. amount of currently available limited habitat. Mountain goats are susceptible to disturbance by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) was recreational activities, both motorized and non- established to preserve, protect, perpetuate, and motorized, and may abandon preferred, high- manage all of Idaho’s fish and wildlife. Idaho’s quality areas because of disturbance. prior mountain goat management plan (IDFG 1990) addressed vulnerability of mountain goats Historically, there were many more mountain to overharvest, protection of habitat by reducing goats in Idaho than there are today. Open new roads and trails, and translocation of seasons with unlimited tags through the 1950s mountain goats into suitable ranges. reduced mountain goat populations in many areas. Increasingly conservative hunting season This plan is designed to provide guidance to IDFG structure with controlled hunts has helped staff to manage Idaho’s mountain goat habitat stabilize some populations, but others continue and populations over the next 6 years. The plan to decline. Some mountain goat populations directs IDFG to sustain or increase mountain goat translocated into unoccupied areas quickly populations across the state. To accomplish this increased and provided new hunting and viewing goal, IDFG has identified statewide management opportunities. Other translocations failed to direction and strategies, as well as specific establish or increase populations. strategies for each Population Management Unit (PMU). IDFG will engage partners interested Idaho offers few mountain goat tags; tags are in mountain goat management, including highly sought after and demand has increased hunters, federal and state agencies, conservation over time. Hunters may harvest only 1 mountain organizations, tribes, and other interested goat in Idaho in their life. Mountain goats are individuals and groups. Partnerships can help polygamous, so more harvest can be placed on IDFG accomplish goals to maintain sustainable males than females. However, male mountain populations, healthy habitat, and hunting goats cannot be harvested at rates as high as opportunity. other ungulates, such as deer (Odocoileus spp.) and elk (Cervus elaphus), because they live The draft mountain goat management plan was in low-density populations isolated from one available for comment on the IDFG website for 26 another. days. IDFG solicited and received feedback from USFS and neighboring state wildlife agencies. Small populations are inherently susceptible We received 155 on-line submissions, with 80 to random events, such as a severe winter or people providing written comments which were wildfire, which means some of Idaho’s mountain evaluated and summarized (Appendix D). We goat populations may decline despite harvest. incorporated changes based on comments. Furthermore, adult females generally do not bear kids until they are 4–5 years old. This low Mountain goats live in isolated, high-elevation reproductive rate means populations grow slowly. areas with harsh weather conditions. They will Mountain goat populations are very sensitive to forage in meadows and forests, but prefer to be female harvest. More hunting opportunity can iv Idaho Department of Fish & Game Executive Summary be offered when hunters select billies instead - Increase our knowledge of mountain goat of nannies. This mountain goat management survival, recruitment, habitat use, genetics, plan presents harvest guidelines based on a and impacts of disease, habitat changes, and population model to help wildlife managers recreational activities. determine appropriate harvest levels based on - Collaborate with land management agencies population size, kid:adult ratios, and percent to incorporate conservation measures which females in the harvest. These harvest guidelines benefit mountain goats in land use and resource are intended to maintain and increase mountain management plans. goat populations while offering maximum hunting opportunities. - Improve quality of mountain goat population monitoring data to better evaluate population Statewide mountain goat management direction trends. includes: - Create guidelines for mountain goat - Provide maximum harvest opportunity possible translocations in Idaho. while maintaining stable to increasing mountain goat populations statewide. - Continue to offer controlled hunts and work with hunters to reduce harvest of nannies. Mountain Goats CCBY IDAHO FISH AND GAME Idaho Department of Fish & Game v Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................v Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Mountain Goat Management Plan (1990) Goals and Accomplishments ...............................................................................4 Goals and Accomplishments ..........................................................................................................................................4 Habitat ..........................................................................................................................5 Food Habits ...........................................................................................................................................................................5 Mineral Licks ..........................................................................................................................................................................5 Impacts to Mountain Goat Habitat .............................................................................................................................7 Recreation ..............................................................................................................................................................................7 Habituation ............................................................................................................................................................................8 Projected Changes to Idaho’s Climate .....................................................................................................................9 Climate: Predicted Effects on Mountain Goats ....................................................................................................10 Habitat Management and Restoration .....................................................................................................................12 Health and Disease ..................................................................................................14 Respiratory Disease ............................................................................................................................................................14 Other Parasites and Pathogens ...................................................................................................................................14