Pack Llamas vs Pack Goats

[300rum]

Just get yourself a mini mule or a small full size mule.  You can find them cheap, they will last forever and you can still lead them behind your horses if you want.

[actionshooter]

 Do a search on here for packgoats, there are a bunch of threads on here that gives a ton of info/feedback, we ran them for many years and just recently got out.  Keep in mind that the state and feds are really starting to limit where you can use anything but horses.

[huntnnw]

I own llamas, absolutely love them.  One thing to look at is the longevity of pack goats vs llamas and amount of weight each can carry.  I almost went goats initially, but longevity, amount they can carry, and goats being limited/outlawed in some areas ultimately swayed me to llamas.  Couldn't be happier with what they've done for myself and my family.

But you have to pack feed up for llamas and  gotta trailer them. A pack goat can pack more per lb of weight than all stock animals.

[Seabass]

I just spent a week bear hunting with some goats…not mine but my buddy’s. They were amazing. So simple and easy to deal with. They are ridiculously athletic and dealt with dead fall and other obstacles with ease. Water crossings could be a little challenging with them depending on depth but I was thoroughly impressed and ready to get a few😀.

We did 8 days and the guys with the goats ate way better than the two of us with everything on our backs!

[Seabass]

They were also fun to have around during the downtime.

[Tiger01]

I own llamas, absolutely love them.  One thing to look at is the longevity of pack goats vs llamas and amount of weight each can carry.  I almost went goats initially, but longevity, amount they can carry, and goats being limited/outlawed in some areas ultimately swayed me to llamas.  Couldn't be happier with what they've done for myself and my family.

But you have to pack feed up for llamas and  gotta trailer them. A pack goat can pack more per lb of weight than all stock animals.

Depends on where you are going and the quality of feed, but it’s minimal usually.  About 1 pound per day per llama, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things.  If you have a rack you can fit 2 or 3 llamas in the back of a pickup easy, no trailer needed.  Yes, goats can pack more per pound, but they’re also the lightest pack animals out there which equates to the lightest loads.  Like I said, I almost went goats, just a few things swayed me to llamas and I couldn’t be happier.  I have multiple friends with goats and they love them.  With limited space at home goats is probably the way to go for sure. 

[2MANY]

You guys should pack labs.
No trailer needed, will protect you in camp, and better at finding grouse.
Or
Simply buy a mule, put a goat and their pack on each side, and head to camp.

[vandeman17]

Updating this thread. I ended up grabbing three Alpine wethers about 5-6 weeks ago from a place down in Goldendale. They are polled and going on 4-5 months old. I was able to meet the buck and he was a big boy and the owner expects these three fellas to be 175-200 lbs. So far they have been a lot of fun to get to know and each have their own personalites. They were bottle fed so they are super friendly and will follow me wherever I go and actually are way easier than a dang puppy. I am hoping by snowmelt next year, they will be big enough to get them out in the hills around my house and start working with them.

I decided to go with 3 because that will hopefully be enough to pack in at least a chunk of gear but also not a huge committment in case I don't end up being able to use them.

[huntnnw]

I take 3 when I hunt solo. With 3 good ones and my pack I can come out with 200 or so lbs in 1 trip.

I’ll tell you right now that you will go through a few goats to get good ones. I have 21 granted not all are whethers some are our girls. But only a handful are great

[vandeman17]

I take 3 when I hunt solo. With 3 good ones and my pack I can come out with 200 or so lbs in 1 trip.

I’ll tell you right now that you will go through a few goats to get good ones. I have 21 granted not all are whethers some are our girls. But only a handful are great

Good to know. I am hoping these guy's are at least serviceable so that I can learn more about handling and training and if its something that is worthwhile for me, I can try to be more picky in who/where I buy more from.

[huntnnw]

It’s a real crap shoot on buying goats. We have a few really big goats and they just don’t have the “ go get em” attitude  super friendly goats but just slow on trail . My best ones are super hyper and really motor around in the back country. My best goat carries a whole boned out muley like there’s nothing on him . They are great watch dogs and have spotted deer and elk when I did t see them. I watch my goats a lot and they will tell you if there’s something around long before you know. I know if my goats all stand at night when packed in something is near and usually a predator

[vandeman17]

It’s a real crap shoot on buying goats. We have a few really big goats and they just don’t have the “ go get em” attitude  super friendly goats but just slow on trail . My best ones are super hyper and really motor around in the back country. My best goat carries a whole boned out muley like there’s nothing on him . They are great watch dogs and have spotted deer and elk when I did t see them. I watch my goats a lot and they will tell you if there’s something around long before you know. I know if my goats all stand at night when packed in something is near and usually a predator

My three for sure are high energy and love following me anywhere and everywhere I go. I have already figured out who the leader is and have established a good bond with him. I can call him and he will almost always come running which means the other two are close behind because they go where he goes. They have been around my dogs, horses etc and aren't skittish so off to a good start in my book

[actionshooter]

It’s a real crap shoot on buying goats. We have a few really big goats and they just don’t have the “ go get em” attitude  super friendly goats but just slow on trail . My best ones are super hyper and really motor around in the back country. My best goat carries a whole boned out muley like there’s nothing on him . They are great watch dogs and have spotted deer and elk when I did t see them. I watch my goats a lot and they will tell you if there’s something around long before you know. I know if my goats all stand at night when packed in something is near and usually a predator

My three for sure are high energy and love following me anywhere and everywhere I go. I have already figured out who the leader is and have established a good bond with him. I can call him and he will almost always come running which means the other two are close behind because they go where he goes. They have been around my dogs, horses etc and aren't skittish so off to a good start in my book

The best goat I ever had was named Zeke, a medium sized Ober who I ran for 7 years... good goats are like loyal dogs, they aren't always the biggest or the ones that carry the most, the best goats are the ones who will follow you anywhere and always be right at your side.