WORKWEAR
CASUAL
Shooting Feral Goats with Casey Learmond
Author & Image Credits - Casey Learmond, a passionate conservationist and big on goat culling, pest control and doing her bit to look after our native bush. With plenty of goats under her belt, we were keen to get her top tips for getting the job done.
Goat Shooting for Conservation
The feral Goat population in Northland is approximately in the tens of thousands. These goats strip the bark of young pines and native flora and fauna. They eat the tops out of trees, which leads to severe damage, the trees developing multiple leaders, stunted/misshapen growth and killing the trees entirely.
In some blocks I have been in, the trees have had to be replanted 3-4 times due to the damage caused by feral goats. Feral goats also enjoy eating our beautiful native plants, which creates a loss of biodiversity and prevents our native plants from regenerating.
Pest control is extremely important to keep our forests buzzing full of native wildlife and plants. Not only do pests destroy our native animal and plant species, but they also create soil and land erosion and loss of habitat for our native wildlife.
I am lucky enough to be able to access private forestry and farm blocks where I see the damage these animals cause first-hand, and I can be a part of the solution to prevent further environmental damage in a non-toxic way. It is also a great way for me to take time out and see our beautiful countryside and what New Zealand has to offer.
Top Tips for Feral Goat Shooting
1. Prepare Your Firearm
Before heading out, make sure your rifle is sighted in and shooting accurately. Understand your ballistic data and know your effective shooting ranges.
A rifle with larger ammunition capacity is more effective for taking out whole mobs. Using a suppressor can confuse goats. They won’t always bolt in the direction you expect. In some cases, they’ll run towards you instead of away. Stay alert and be ready for unexpected movement after the shot.
Feral goat terrain is often steep and can involve longer shots. Be confident in your rifle’s capabilities and know your zeros.
2. Expect More Than One Goat
Goats are herd/mob animals. If you spot one, chances are there are more nearby. When you take your first shot, expect the rest of the mob to start moving and reposition yourself quickly, keep your eyes peeled and stay ready. Often, they will have a route to get back into the bush and follow each other.
3. Optics and Footwear Matter
Goats often favour rough, steep country. A good set of binoculars and a reliable rangefinder are essential. And don’t underestimate the value of quality boots, they’ll make all the difference when you're navigating challenging terrain.
4. Prioritise Darker Goats First
In a mob, we often take the darker-coloured goats first. They’re harder to spot against the landscape once they start moving, whereas white or lighter-coloured goats are easier to track.
5. Get a Solid Shooting Rest
For long-range shooting, stability is key. Whether it’s a bipod, shooting sticks, a fence post, or a tree branch. Make sure you’ve got a solid rest for that first accurate shot.
6. Hunt at the Right Time
Goats are more active during the middle of the day, especially in fine weather. Unlike deer, they don’t stick to dawn and dusk as much. Avoid wet and drizzly days, they tend to bed down and are harder to spot. Hunt with a favourable wind, although they aren’t as weary as deer they will still run for cover if spooked.
7. Goat Meat is Underrated
Goat is one of the most widely consumed meats globally and for good reason. Young nannies make excellent eating. If you're planning to take meat home, be prepared with the right gear to process and carry it. Goat is similar to mutton, but leaner.
8. Dress for the Conditions
Spending hours glassing country or navigating ridgelines means staying warm and dry is vital. Pack a reliable windbreaker or insulated jacket and prepare for the conditions, you'll thank yourself later.
9. Shot Placement is Key
A clean, ethical shot is always the goal. Aim for the high shoulder or just behind it for a quick, humane drop, especially when shooting at range or on an angle.
10. Don’t Underestimate Scrub Hiding
Even after you shoot at them, goats will often dive into a small patch of scrub and stay put—don’t assume they’ve all run off.
My Goat Shooting Essentials Gear list
Obviously, before heading out, make sure you’ve got all the legal essentials sorted including a valid firearms licence, the correct permits or landowner permission, and any required DOC access approvals if you're hunting public land.
What follows is my personal gear list. These are the essentials I take when chasing goats in steep country. It’s what works for me and has held up well in the kind of terrain I usually hunt in.
Essential Gear for Goat Hunting
✔️ Shooting Sticks (Preferred Over Bipod)
Offer a stable rest and double as walking poles in tough terrain. More versatile than a bipod when navigating hill country.
✔️ Binoculars & Rangefinder
Quality optics are essential for spotting and accurately ranging goats across steep, broken terrain.
✔️ Variable Power Scope
A dial-up scope gives you flexibility for both close encounters and long-range shots.
✔️ Hi-Vis Outer Layer
Crucial for visibility, especially when hunting with others or in public-access areas. I use the Hunters Element Whakarapu Hood, it keeps you visible without blowing your cover.
✔️ Breathable Midlayer
Keeps you warm while moving without overheating. I rate the Hunters Element Zenith Top, perfect for climbing and glassing without getting too sweaty.
✔️ Waterproof Rain Jacket
Lightweight, packable protection for wind or sudden showers. I use the Hunters Element Storm Jacket, it’s solid in all conditions.
✔️ Durable, Lightweight Boots
Grip and support are everything on steep terrain. I wear the Hunters Element Prowl Stalking Boots, they’re light, quiet, and give great traction on rocky ground.
✔️ Warm, Windproof Layers
Weather can turn fast. Always pack layers that block wind and keep you warm when you’re glassing or sitting still.
✔️ Sharp Knife
A reliable knife makes field dressing fast, clean, and safe.
✔️ Meat Bags
Breathable bags are ideal for clean meat carry-out and cooling.
✔️ Spare Ammo
Goats often travel in mobs. Bring more than you think you’ll need, and an extra mag if your rifle allows.
✔️ Water & Snacks
Stay hydrated and fuelled, especially when covering big country in the sun or wind.
Casey Learmond is a keen Northland-based hunter and primary school teacher.
