Pack llamas- pros and cons

[kbrowne14]

What do you guys have for pros and cons for using pack llamas in the backcountry?  I know a lot of the pros, but I am a little hesitant because I don’t know the cons.  What would change about my backcountry hunt if I had llamas there, other than lighter packs? 


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[Skyvalhunter]

What do they mostly eat when in the back country? Oats, alphalpha, grass, etc? If so are there certain weed free types you are required to pack like horsemen do?

[Jingles]

Any feed going into the wilderness areas are required to be certified weed free

[Southpole]

I knew a guy years ago that hunted and packed with llamas. Just like any herd animal there’s a pecking order and you need to let the llamas figure it out. He told me a few stories of stubbornness and complexity. All he took with him for food was some type of grain. The llamas would browse along the trail then at the end of the day they were given a cup of grain. Don’t recall how much weight they could carry or the gear he used. If I understood him right I think there’s a fair amount of patience and understanding of the animals that’s required to be successful. He really liked them but it’s probably not for everyone.

[jay.sharkbait]

Does Llama taste good?

[HUNTIN4SIX]

I have to chuckle when it comes to Llamas.  I would be way back in the scapegoat or bob Marshall and my string would start freaking out....then all of a sudden here comes some hippy dragging a couple Llamas.  In other words our horses and mules hated them.  Caused me a few wrecks back there.  You’d definitely “be the only one on the trail”.
Personally think they are a pain, ugly and not very personable.  Buy a herd and throw some backs on them and see how you like them.
Remember Goat people like goats, Llama people like Llamas and horse people like horses.  I am sure there is something good about a Llama.

[dilleytech]

Does Llama taste good?

If something is made of meat which I’m sure lamas are. They will be great. Specially grain fed things.

[nwmein199]

Randy Newberg and Corey Jacobson like to use llamas for elk hunting sometimes and had one podcast about the pros and cons of using llamas to hunt instead of other pack animals.

http://www.elktalkpodcast.com/2020/07/01/ep-54-elk-hunt-with-llamas/

[Mtnwalker]

Randy Newberg and Corey Jacobson like to use llamas for elk hunting sometimes and had one podcast about the pros and cons of using llamas to hunt instead of other pack animals.

http://www.elktalkpodcast.com/2020/07/01/ep-54-elk-hunt-with-llamas/

Newberg has blown up the pack llama thing the last couple years, we were shopping before it got Insta cool and prices have gotten insane since then for anything bred specifically for packing. If you can even find one to buy.

[skagitsteel]

I've never hunted with LLamas but I did quite a bit of research on pack animals before and talked to quite a few people before I ended up going the pack goat route.  Llamas are typically left tied  in camp during a hunt and have to be lead with a leash while hiking  (I have heard of a few runaway Llama stories). With any pack animal you have to budget additional time each day to care for them and you will be more limited on where you can camp to be near good feed.  For two or more guys on a backcountry hunt care for animal tasks can be split up to make it easier.  I ended going the pack goat route because they have the lowest requirements for feed/ water/ ease of care in the backcountry, especially being a solo hunter   

[Stein]

Well, you are packing around multiple animals so there is some portion of the hunt involved with care of them instead of actual hunting.

There is also a cost, you need the llamas, gear, etc and they eat all year so you either have to pay for that or rent them from someone who does.

I'm sure there are places you don't want to take them, some terrain and of course it might complicate camping in country thick with grizz.  You also can't camp out where there isn't food and a place for them to bed, sometimes I've been on some pretty sparse and rocky camp sites.

Finally, there is increased odds of something blowing your hunt - trailer gets a flat or bearing blown, llama drama, rope breaks or knot comes loose or whatever else could lead you to having to spend the time trying to get the circus back in the tent.

They do look fun and hauling beer and fresh steaks is attractive as well as not having to carry meat out on my two legs.  I would like to do it some day.

[pd]

@stein  "Llama Drama" 

That's it, I ain't never doing that.

[Stein]

I'm certainly in the leave the animals at home camp, but I know a bunch of people that really like it.  Horses, llamas and a good buddy that uses goats.  It's pretty much preference for the most part unless you want a wall tent 10 miles in and then there aren't a whole bunch of ways to make that happen that don't involve pack animals.

[Magnum_Willys]

If you have room and love to care for animals packing is a great excuse to get some of your choice - horses, mules, llamas, goats.

If hunting is your main focus then hire a packer or put it on your back.  Way too much year round hassle to deal with.

[Shannon]

I use to have a pair of pack Llamas. I hunted with them quite a bit. They are a piece of cake to take care of. They would pack anywhere from 80-120 pounds each. You just put them on a dog stake at night. Cost per year to own was about $100 each. I averaged feeding them two bales of hay a year. The rest of the time they were just on pasture. I only have about 1 acre fenced so they are easy. I only took a little grain when packing them in. I'd give them a handful at night on the days they worked. You only have to take them to water on the third or fourth day of your trip which is why I got them to begin with. If its been raining they won't even drink then. Drawbacks are you can't ride them and you have to weigh your packs on each side so they are within a pound or two since they don't have withers like a horse does. Other than that they are easy. If you get some, I still have some high end pack frames and packs. They make packing easy. PM me if you have any questions.