Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) is in the Bovids family (Bovidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,974 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Mountain Goat: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mountain Goat
The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), also known as the Rocky Mountain goat, is a large hoofed mammal endemic to North America. A subalpine to alpine species, it is a sure-footed climber commonly seen on cliffs and ice.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mountain Goat by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 2,097 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Washington | 1,628 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Colorado | 1,598 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Alaska | 920 | June | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 481 | July | May–Sep |
| South Dakota | 452 | September | May–Oct |
| Utah | 330 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 296 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Idaho | 133 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Nevada | 39 | July | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Bovids)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mountain Goat?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Mountain Goat most often seen?
The most observations come from Montana, Washington, Colorado.