Ask Mr. Answer Person: "How's the goat doing?"

Cliff the goat, in his natural habitat

Several decorahnews.com readers have been asking us lately about "Cliff," the wild goat. In case you don't know about "Cliff," he lives on the bluff along Highway 52 just north of Decorah.

Questions we've been asked lately about "Cliff" include: "Is the wild goat still there?;" "Is he sunning himself?;" and "What does the black goat eat this time of year? Last year there was corn grown in the fields nearby, but this year, after the soybeans, pods and everything were removed, what can he find?"

Mr. Answer Person says: Yes, Decorah's most famous goat is still leading the good life. North Winneshiek School's 5th grade class taught by Carole Sand came up with the appropriate name of "Cliff" for the goat, based on where he lives. So Mr. Answer Person thought it would be appropriate to ask the 5th graders the question about Cliff's winter eating habits:

"Sorry, we don't have a definitive answer for how Cliff eats in the deluge of snow we've had this year. However, we did brainstorm some possibilities. He could dig down into the snow and eat the grass, leaves, corn stalks, and corn (Just like as one student's goats do at his house). A nearby farmer might be feeding him corn and hay silage. He might be sneaking into neighborhood yards in the area and swiping bird food. He might be eating bark off the trees like the deer.

Hope that helps, North Winn 5th grade class."

There you have your answers, as well as proof that Mr. Answer Person is NOT smarter than a 5th grader!