Old Goat, Eats lots. Not getting bigger or more tender. Best Method to ship to Freezer camp???

[U_Stormcrow]

Title says it all. He's sired some kids (now wethered), but is getting on in age, plenty game-y already, and eating a lot. We got him cheap from someone that couldn't deal with him (after three days of trying to wrangle him). He's human shy, I've been unable to change that in most of a year of effort, so I'm likely going to need to put him down at a distance.

If anyone has links to websites/videos with good methods to cull, bleed, butcher, I'd appreciate.

Good news is that he's a "small" breed, likely weighs not more than 165#. Bad news is that he is physically stronger than I. Even when I can get both hands on him, he drags me around the pasture like I'm not there. (I also weigh 160# - but am NOT built like a goat.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, I plan to butcher it myself. I'm not squeemish, and I don't form strong emotional attachments. Also, getting the goat on the trailer, to get to the butcher? I don't have another three days to waste in the attempt.

So even if you don't have a good kill method to recommend, if you have a good how to butcher after recommend, I'd be appreciative.

 

[SheaLoner]

Look into Farmstead Meatsmith. The man is an artist and a philosopher. He has a youtube channel and a separate website.

 

[SheaLoner]

Brandon Sheard. Recently moved to OK.

 

[SheaLoner]

Best bet will be a bullet. 22 rifle will do the job. After that goat can be treated like a deer for gut/skinning. How toos are easy to come by.
Good news though! The buck smell does NOT transfer to the meat. Just make sure to keep any hair off the carcass.

 

[MWSIFarm]

Best bet will be a bullet. 22 rifle will do the job. After that goat can be treated like a deer for gut/skinning. How toos are easy to come by.
Good news though! The buck smell does NOT transfer to the meat. Just make sure to keep any

Yeah, with bigger animals on the farm we used to pen them up and then sneak in from behind and use a .22 so the animal wouldnt see it coming, with a more wild or harder to control animal it maybe more difficult. If you do a ranged shot or even close up, make sure you know where you need to shoot it and that your a good enough shot to do it without causing more pain to the animal…..

Here in AUS we do have some Mobile Butchers that come around and do animals for a fee but not sure if the slaughter is included in that service.

Norcini (Said “Nor-Chee-Nee”) is the Old italian word for the professional butchers who would ride from village to village butchering for families. They were almost believed to be magic by the way they used to butcher and preserve the meat. Not really relevant but a fun fact

 

[SheaLoner]

Mobile butchers are harder to find then a needle in a haystack over here. And normally booked out Months in advance. But yes pen if you can. And with an older goat head on shot would not be easy, thick skulls, behind the ear aim for the opposite eye, or back of head between ears aim down to the nose.

 

[NatJ]

He's human shy, I've been unable to change that in most of a year of effort, so I'm likely going to need to put him down at a distance.

I agree with the suggestion to shoot him.
It will be easier if you can get close, and if he mostly holds still so you can aim accurately.

Possibilities for that:
A dish or pile of grain

Or run him into a smaller pen, or a chute if you have one, so he has fewer options about where to go.

Maybe you could make a funnel with fencing or vehicles, and chase him into the end of it.

Even when I can get both hands on him, he drags me around the pasture like I'm not there.

Any chance of tying him to a tree? Maybe get one end of the rope on the goat, then start wrapping the other end around the trunk, then chase the goat around and around until he's snugly against it and cannot move.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Its going to be a handgun, most likely. Believe it or not, I'm more accurate than with a rifle. Familiarity,practice, and - seemingly - a funny eye (which is my rifle problem).

Bigger than a .22, but not much (and no, not .25 auto - I'd argue that's too slow, in spite of the barely larger bullet dia.)

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Any chance of tying him to a tree? Maybe get one end of the rope on the goat, then start wrapping the other end around the trunk, then chase the goat around and around until he's snugly against it and cannot move.

If I can get the rope, or better, a chain, on him - that's brilliant!