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Foul weather postpones helicopter goat shoot in Grand Teton

(David Zalubowski | AP file photo) In this July 15, 2016 file photo, a mountain goat leads its' kid across the Mount Evans Scenic Byway just below the summit near Idaho Springs, Colo. Spotting a mountain goat perched high on a cliff might thrill many visitors to a national park in Wyoming but park officials said Tuesday, Deb. 4, 2018, the agile animals might need to go. Grand Teton National Park officials say the park's 100 or so mountain goats threaten a herd of about 80 bighorn sheep.

Jackson, Wyo. • Foul weather has postponed plans to kill nonnative mountain goats in Grand Teton National Park.

Park officials closed a large area of the Teton Range to the public this week so that hunters could shoot goats by helicopter without endangering people on the ground.

Park officials now say snow and poor visibility are postponing those plans.

Grand Teton spokeswoman Denise Germann says another attempt could take place in late January or early February.

Mountain goats aren't native to the park and biologists worry the 100 or more goats could spread disease to native bighorn sheep.

The National Park Service has contracted Oregon-based Baker Aircraft to shoot goats with non-lead shotgun or rifle rounds, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reports.

Wintry weather kept Baker from making it to the area, Germann said.

Park officials also plan to use volunteer hunters on the ground.