Podcast Summary: Live Wild with Remi Warren

Episode 205 | The G.O.A.T. Hunt
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Remi Warren

Overview

In this episode, Remi Warren shares the story of his wife Danielle’s once-in-a-lifetime Nevada mountain goat hunt. He covers everything from the improbability of drawing the tag, to detailed planning and preparation, the physical and mental challenges of a true mountain hunt, the adrenaline-filled hunt climax, and critical mountain safety tips. Throughout, Remi’s candid storytelling and practical wisdom shine through, making this an engaging and highly educational episode for hunters of all experience levels.

Key Discussion Points

Drawing the “Lottery” Tag and The Lead-Up

• Difficulty of Drawing a Mountain Goat Tag:

  • Remi describes the extreme odds of getting a Nevada mountain goat tag, likening it to “winning the lottery” (06:45).
  • Recaps how Danielle waited years before applying, only deciding after building skills and confidence.
  • Quote [07:18]:

    “The odds are literally 1 in 2500. That’s about as tough odds as it gets, to be honest.” —Remi

• Getting the Call:

  • The couple was on a road trip when draw results came in. Danielle finally saw “successful” next to mountain goat after several unsuccessful entries—leading to disbelief and excitement.
  • Remi immediately decided to turn back his own elk tag to focus on this rare hunt.

• Prepping for the Hunt:

  • Discussed that mountain goats are typically at the top of the mountain, limiting need for extensive scouting, but a friend’s prior tag provided up-to-date intel.
  • They chose to hunt later in the season for a “fully haired up” mature billy, risking tougher weather.
  • Rigorous fitness: Continued marathon and Mountain Tough training routines, with heavy pack hikes in the Sierras to get in shape.

• Billy Identification Course:

  • Danielle took mandatory wildlife agency courses on distinguishing billies from nannies to avoid harming the population and out of strong personal ethics.
  • Both Danielle and her sister Jess (new to hunting and former Olympic rower) intensely studied goat characteristics via online resources and hunting videos.

The Adventure Begins: Up the Mountain

• Packing in:

  • Packs loaded with seven days of gear, including cold weather clothing (00:41:20).
  • Remi’s pack tipped the scales at over 50 lbs; Danielle and Jess’s around 42–43 lbs—“a heavy pack, especially for their size.”

• First Route—A Hard Stop:

  • Attempted their first planned route in, but faced a near-vertical, dangerous ascent beyond reasonable risk, especially for less experienced mountain hunters with heavy packs.
  • Quote [00:57:00]:

    “As the safety coordinator of this expedition, I gotta pull the plug. I do not think it’s safe to continue.” —Remi

• “The Safety Game in Big Mountains”:

  • Remi shares the real dangers—where getting up is often easier than getting down; safety always taking precedence over pursuit.

Encountering Goats and Adapting Plans

• Glassing and Finding Goats:

  • While reassessing, they glass up younger billies, nannies, and kids—encouraging despite setbacks.
  • After moving to another vantage, Remi spots a giant-bodied mature billy at the top of the mountain but is initially confused by its horn appearance.

• Expert Consult:

  • Texts a guide friend in Alaska who affirms, “That’s a big billy. Go shoot that thing.” (01:12:15)
  • Realizes that swollen glands hid most of the horns—a sure sign of an old billy.

• Staging for the Climb:

  • Adventurous but exhaustive approach: 3,500-foot vertical climb, three hours of bushwhacking.
  • Jess stayed below to glass, Remi and Danielle ascended, prepared to wait out the goats.

The Stalk and Shot: Climax of the Hunt

• Playing the Waiting Game:

  • Multiple billies in view, but they bed near the top, in treacherous terrain. Remi strategizes not to push too aggressively to avoid spooking them.

• Crunch Time:

  • After a failed close stalk on one goat (turned out to be a “60 lb” youngster), Remi and Danielle are forced to regroup and reposition.

• Epic Shot, Epic Relief:

  • With goats moving across a boulder field towards a cliff, Remi and Danielle scramble to get into shooting position.
  • Quote [01:53:45]:

    “I just, like, focus on your shot. Easy. Pressure on the trigger. Focus on the spot. The billy’s coming up…” —Remi

  • Danielle makes a perfect shot on the mature billy at significant distance and with little time. Remi describes the shot as “probably the most epic shot I’ve ever seen in my entire hunting career”.

• Billy Down—Packout Begins:

  • Goats are known to flee into the worst terrain when shot; Danielle hit the billy four times to anchor him before he could tumble.
  • The packout crew assembles in the night: three men and three women (Danielle, her sister Jess, and friend Heather)—likely a packout gender record, as Remi humorously notes.
  • Navigating and descending the treacherous terrain in the dark, Remi remarks:
    Quote [02:16:30]:

    “It’s actually better in the dark because you don’t see the perspective of how high you are; you just focus on where you’re stepping.” —Remi

• Aftermath:

  • Weather rolled in the next day, with snow and whiteout conditions, highlighting just how perfectly the timing had worked out.
  • Celebrated with friends and family; Remi calls the meal made from mountain goat meat “one of the best wild game meals I've had.”

Safety Tips for Big Mountain Hunts ([2:23:00]):

1. Track Your Route:
   • Using tracking features like OnX was a “game changer” for finding safe ascent and descent routes, especially in the dark or poor weather.
2. Climbing Up vs. Coming Down:
   • Never assume you can get down what you climbed up; always have a plan for both.
3. Three Points of Contact & Trekking Poles:
   • Always maintain three points on the ground; never put both feet on the same rock.
   • Quote [2:27:00]:

     “Never put both feet on the same rock. Spread them out… that’s how people get into really bad situations.”

4. Communication in Dangerous Terrain:
   • Always shout what the danger is (“rock!”), don’t just yell indiscriminately, to help anyone below prepare or avoid injury.
5. Stay Tight, Stay Safe:
   • Keep the party close, never directly above/below one another for long distances in dangerous rockfall terrain.

The “Type 2 Fun” of True Mountain Adventure

• Remi reflects on how hunts like these—dangerous, exhausting, but overwhelmingly rewarding—are the very definition of the “type 2 fun” that keeps hunters coming back.
• Quote [2:37:00]:

  “A few years from now, you’re gonna be sitting there, like, man, remember that? That was so epic. Like, I’d love to do another hunt like that.” —Remi

• He adds that sharing a meal from the hunt with everyone involved was the “perfect way to relive the memory and the adventure.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Drawing the Tag:
  • “The odds are literally 1 in 2500… that’s about as tough odds as it gets, to be honest.” [07:18]
• On Safety:
  • “As the safety coordinator of this expedition, I gotta pull the plug. I do not think it’s safe to continue.” [00:57:00]
• On the Shot:
  • “Probably the most epic shot I’ve seen in my entire hunting career... it was just absolutely perfect.” [1:54:00]
• On Goat Meat:
  • “Mountain goats should be called alpine antelope… They taste nothing like goat — they’re really, really good eating.” [2:44:00]
• On Friends & Adventure:
  • “To have the support of good friends and good hunting buddies… It made the hunt so awesome.” [2:19:00]

Important Timestamps

• Tag Draw Story: 06:00–11:00
• Physical & Mental Prep: 13:00–21:00
• Failed Route & Safety Lessons: 55:00–1:00:00
• Finding the Big Billy: 1:10:00–1:17:00
• Climb and Stalk: 1:25:00–1:53:00
• The Shot and Emotional Aftermath: 1:53:00–2:00:00
• Packout, Weather, Celebration: 2:10:00–2:22:00
• Remi’s Top Big Mountain Safety Tips: 2:23:00–2:31:00
• Reflections & Reliving the Adventure: 2:34:00–end

Episode Tone

Lively, candid, and practical throughout, with characteristic Remi warmth, humility, and adventure storytelling. There’s a deep focus on both the technical and emotional sides of a rare mountain hunt, and plenty of firsthand tips for fellow hunters.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Epic tags bring epic responsibility (preparation, ethics, safety)
• Never underestimate the mountain, both in danger and physical demand
• Track your route and always have a descent plan—climbing up is only half the challenge
• It’s the challenging hunts, the near-misses, and the “type 2 fun” that make lifetime memories
• Share the experience—with partners, friends, and food—makes the adventure complete

For more tips, hunting stories, and gear deals, check out the next episode or follow Remi Warren. #LiveWild