Hikers lure mountain goats to trouble at Heart, Pearl lakes near Hoodoo Pass

WILDLIFE — Mountain goats and hikers are coming into dangerously close proximity at Heart Lake in the Bitterroot Mountains.

The goats near the popular backpacking destination south of Superior, Montana, have given up the safety of the stateline cliffs, lured by salts and foods around the mountain lake.

The attraction away from the cliffs has left the mountain goats more vulnerable to wolves and mountain lions in the area.

Campers also are at risk. A backpacker’s dog was injured by a mountain goat last week, according to Liz Bradley Missoula Area wildlife biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

She heard about the incident as she made the three-mile hike to the lake after posting warning signs at the Heart Lake trailhead and up at road at the Idaho-Montana Stateline Trail on Hoodoo Pass.

“I ran into several groups of hikers that had talked to another hiker that was carrying his small dog back down the trail to take to the vet because of an unfortunate encounter with a nanny who was likely defending her kid,” she said. “Sounds like the nanny charged and gored the dog.”

Similar problems have occurred at Scotchman Peak near Clark Fork, Idaho.

The big difference is that the Heart Lake goats are not just encountered on the trails, but also coming into campsites.

See more on the story in Sunday Outdoors.