Locals look forward to ‘Goat Island’ goats, but it’s unclear if they’ll return in spring

The decision of whether the goats that live on Murrells Inlet’s “Goat Island” will return this year all comes down to safety for the goats, the owner said Thursday.

Al Hitchcock, owner of Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge, is hoping to make a decision next week about the goats’ return to the island. His main concern is to ensure the animals can be evacuated in a timely manner in case of king tides.

“Every year it gets almost over the island,” Hitchcock said. “We’re concerned about our goats.”

The goats, which number about seven but have been as high as 12, typically live on the island from April through November. They were not returned at the end of the season last year after they were removed in October ahead of Hurricane Ian.

There was discussion on social media that the problem of returning the goats was not enough volunteers to help with them, but Hitchcock posted on his Drunken Jack’s Facebook page that the island has suffered “drastic erosion since Hurricane Ian and if they were to return at this time the current condition would require us to take them on and off the island numerous times causing them undue stress.”

The goats are popular with tourists and diners strolling the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk. The goats have been placed there every spring since 1982.

Hitchcock said he was talking with someone about the possible repair and making the island sustainable for the goats.

But for him, he understands that “(I’m) damned if I do and damned if I don’t,” regarding his decision.

Hitchcock said that the goats are pets, and he wants to ensure they are safe.

“We love to have them out there because people love to watch them,” Hitchcock said. “Right now, it’s the safety (of the goats)“ on whether they will return.