When Rudy Cunningham put his name on the Inks Ranch Goat Hunt donated to Project Graduation for their silent auction, he was standing on flat ground, when he arrived at the ranch on April 12, to collect his prize, he and his son Ron were looking up, at the 600 plus acre granite mountain where the Catalina goats roam.

These wild goats have roamed this mountain for decades and are the offspring of a plan gone bad. Many years ago Ibex goats were introduced for hunting; however a roaming Catalina billy sent the plan in the wrong direction. The Ibex influence, if any is small but the goats still present a hunting challenge.

Inks Ranch manager, Roy Inks and his wife, Petey, were guides for Mr. Cunningham and his son. After looking in a few places where the goats should have been, a small group was spotted.

Yep, you guessed it, right on top of the mountain. After a short conference and some repositioning, a silver and black billy being sought presented himself, Mr. Cunningham was comfortable and took the shot.

Ron Cunningham and Petey Inks went to check the shot, while Roy and Rudy did another repositioning so Mr. Cunningham could cover any escape routes. The goat flushed and a second shot put him down for good.

The recovery of the animal took about an hour and a half because of the difficult terrain. Ron and Petey did the work.

Many of the routes suggested from the lower levels were dismissed, some with prejudice, but when all parties were again on flat ground Mr. Cunningham had a beautiful silver and black Catalina goat and a big smile.

Project Graduation and Llano High School Students benefit from these donations.