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Scotchman Peak trail re-opens, good goat
etiquette advised |
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February 17, 2016 |
 Bonner
County's Sandpoint area Scotchman Peak Trail #65
reopened February 12, after having been closed
in September 2015 as a precautionary measure
against aggressive mountain goats. The goats had
been habituated to humans as a result of hikers
enticing the goats with food offerings, and were
behaving aggressively in an attempt to obtain
human-supplied foods.
In June 2015, a hiker was bitten by a goat and
required multiple stitches. Additionally, there
were numerous reports of goats attempting to
head-butt or charge hikers, which could easily
lead to serious injury or death. The temporary
closure was intended to allow time for the goats
to find other sources of food beyond the
handouts provided by hikers, and to reduce their
willingness to approach humans.
The Forest Service has indicated that people
play an important role in keeping this popular
trail open by discouraging goat encounters.
Wildlife experts recommend people stay at least
100 feet away from the goats and if goats
approach, to yell, wave clothing, and throw
rocks from a distance to scare them away. This
might be considered bad etiquette in some
circles, but is good etiquette in this goat
situation. It is bad goat etiquette to feed them
and allow them to lick salt off your hands.
In order for the Forest Service to keep this
trail open so everyone can enjoy the expansive
views and frequent mountain goat sightings,
people have to practice good goat etiquette and
educate others if bad behavior is witnessed.
For hiking and other recreational information,
please visit the Idaho Panhandle National
Forests website at
www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf, or contact your local
Forest Service Office. |
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