Pack goat rental

[DRDANTDC]

Does anyone know of any pack goat rentals in Washington?

[lewy]

What's the matter Dan, get'n a little to old for the high hunt

[jackelope]

Does anyone know of any pack goat rentals in Washington?

You could contact these guys and see if they know of anyone.
http://www.northwestpackgoats.com/

I've never seen anyone who does. Actionshooter or AlpineGus might know of someone also.

[MLHSN]

On that note, I've been wondering, how fast can pack goats sustainably hike? 

I remember reading that you are not suppose to go faster then 30-40 min. per mile with llamas.  That's a little slow for me.  I think I might get kind of impatient.  I was wondering what a reasonable pace is like for pack goats?  How far can they go in a day?

[jackelope]

5-10 miles a day. Nice thing about goats is you don't have to bring food for them and they can go for extended periods without water. They can't hike all day and are not for everyone.

[MLHSN]

Is the 5-10 miles loaded with gear?  I could handle 5-10 miles on the way out with game meat.  But I could get impatient on the way in going 5 miles with no weight.  I'm just curious. Trying to figure out the logistics. What speed do you think they go?

[actionshooter]

Is the 5-10 miles loaded with gear?  I could handle 5-10 miles on the way out with game meat.  But I could get impatient on the way in going 5 miles with no weight.  I'm just curious. Trying to figure out the logistics. What speed do you think they go?

They have about the same MPH as your average hiker, that was a small problem for me. I tend to be a fast hiker. If you keep the load to about 30# and the goats are in shape I have done over 12 miles in a day. If you are impatient the goats aren't for you. 10 miles with the goats loaded 45+, 10 miles is a LONG way.
Goats are great, but they do have limitations.

[ghosthunter]

Seems like ther was a member on here with pack goats, because I thought about it after reading his post.

[actionshooter]

Oh----and I don't know anyone who rents goats in Wa. I would never rent mine, if you haven't worked with them its hard. It would be like giving someone a horse who has never benn on one.

[MLHSN]

I'd be interested in hiking with someone who has pack goats for a day or two(I'll carry my own gear).  I'm just curious what it's like having goats along.  If anyone is in central WA with pack goats and doesn't mind a tag-along for a day this June/July let me know. 

I've seen a few threads of people who hike with them and I've always been curious.

[NoImpactNoIdea]

I'd be interested in hiking with someone who has pack goats for a day or two(I'll carry my own gear).  I'm just curious what it's like having goats along.  If anyone is in central WA with pack goats and doesn't mind a tag-along for a day this June/July let me know. 

I've seen a few threads of people who hike with them and I've always been curious.

This is what I was thinking.  It seems more like you would need a guide with goats...or shepard or whatever the correct term is.  I dont know that I would feel comfortable leaving them tied to a tree while I was off hunting.  I would definately get the extra insurance on that rental!!

[timberghost72]

I'd be interested in hiking with someone who has pack goats for a day or two(I'll carry my own gear).  I'm just curious what it's like having goats along.  If anyone is in central WA with pack goats and doesn't mind a tag-along for a day this June/July let me know. 

I've seen a few threads of people who hike with them and I've always been curious.

Thats a good idea. My wife and I have been talking about getting some goats for about a year now and have been reading up on them but a trip out with them would be a good idea. There are some good books out there to learn up on them.  My daughter is 4 so getting her into 4H and backpacking now would be fun. Definately be nice on a backcountry hunt too since I can't carry more than 50 lbs.

Jackalope has a good website there. Here are a couple more if interested.
http://www.highuintapackgoats.com/
http://home.comcast.net/~edelweissacres/

[actionshooter]

I'd be interested in hiking with someone who has pack goats for a day or two(I'll carry my own gear).  I'm just curious what it's like having goats along.  If anyone is in central WA with pack goats and doesn't mind a tag-along for a day this June/July let me know. 

I've seen a few threads of people who hike with them and I've always been curious.

Thats a good idea. My wife and I have been talking about getting some goats for about a year now and have been reading up on them but a trip out with them would be a good idea. There are some good books out there to learn up on them.  My daughter is 4 so getting her into 4H and backpacking now would be fun. Definately be nice on a backcountry hunt too since I can't carry more than 50 lbs.

Jackalope has a good website there. Here are a couple more if interested.
http://www.highuintapackgoats.com/
http://home.comcast.net/~edelweissacres/

Your 2nd link, edelweissacres, is a great resource, Donna (the owner) does a great class on goat health and pretty much anything you would need to get started.
 They are out of Olympia, near Cabelas.
 I would recommend that one for anyone thinking about getting into goats.

[acnewman55]

Is the 5-10 miles loaded with gear?  I could handle 5-10 miles on the way out with game meat.  But I could get impatient on the way in going 5 miles with no weight.  I'm just curious. Trying to figure out the logistics. What speed do you think they go?

Could you pack the pack-goats in on pack-mules to cut down on time spent hiking in? 

[MLHSN]

Is the 5-10 miles loaded with gear?  I could handle 5-10 miles on the way out with game meat.  But I could get impatient on the way in going 5 miles with no weight.  I'm just curious. Trying to figure out the logistics. What speed do you think they go?

Could you pack the pack-goats in on pack-mules to cut down on time spent hiking in? 

That way, you can ride the mule out and put the meat on the packgoat.