Feral Goat

Size

Adult billies in New Zealand stand 60–80cm at the shoulder and weigh an average of about 42kg. Nannies are 60–70cm and around 30kg. The hindquarters of both sexes and the neck and shoulders of males may be shaggy. Both sexes are bearded as adults.

Colour

May be black, white or brown, or any combination of these. In different populations of goats there is great variation of colour, pattern and length of the coat, and in horn form and body size. This is related to the breed origins and nutrition of the population.

Horns

Both sexes have horns. In nannies they are slender and curve upwards and backwards, with a clear space between the bases. In billies the horns are larger, sweeping up and backwards or up and outwards in an open spiral and may touch at the base. They are not shed annually like antlers, but are retained for the life of the animal.

Rifle and calibre

Goats are a lot tougher than they look and their behaviour when wounded by poorly placed shots can be very distressing because they are vocal. Lighter centrefire calibres such as the .222 may not be adequate unless you are very sure of accurately placing your shot. To be sure of a humane kill, a .223 or heavier cartridge is better. The NZDA regards any use of the .22 rimfire on goats as inhumane.

Record Trophy

Spread of 53 3/8” and 151 5/8 Douglas Score taken by Andrew Smit in the Hunter Hills in 2001.

Record Book Qualification

100 Douglas Score or 30 inches of spread.