Alpine Pack Goats

[deadyote]

So, my Dad just bought a piece of property near one of the wilderness areas and we are thinking about buying some Alpine Goats for packing in.  He has a bad back and me carrying in 60 lbs of gear is getting old.  I can do it for a while longer, but why if we can buy some goats.  The whole work smarter not harder thing.  I meet a few guys a couple years ago that had them and it has peaked my interest.  Their goats followed them everywhere and could carry about 30 lbs a piece.  They said the only issue they had was they had to keep them dry or they would not do anything.  I was just wondering if anyone has them and if so, I have a ton of other questions.  PM me and I'll save everyone else the questions. 

[ICEMAN]

Search Actionshooters posts. He has a ton of experience with them and has posted alot about the topic over the years.
 
Search: "Goat" posted by Actionshooter and you should get alot of info....

[jackelope]

Actionshooter is the man when it comes to pack goats.
Here's a couple other resources with good information.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f61/pack-goats-36442/

http://www.highuintapackgoats.com/

http://www.northwestpackgoats.com/

You should be able to put about 50# on a goat's back as long as the goat is big enough or 25% of their body weight. Goats are cool critters and they can get a lot of places in the high country that horses and mules can't get to...plus they're a lot lower maintenance.

[Machias]

Goats are cool critters and they can get a lot of places in the high country that mules can't get to...plus they're a lot lower maintenance.

  Now I might have to mildly disagree with you on the last part of that, one mule can pack the same as 5 or 6 goats, and I've had goats and mules......mules are extremely low maintenance.   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

We just bought 3 Alpine "bottle babies" 10 week old goats for family and brush clearing. (yesterday)
I am thinking about training them to pack also, although the maintenance part is a little daunting at the moment, they are (already) a pain in the bottom, seeking constant attention, and crying like babies whenever we leave them.
I can see that when they are older they will have some benefits, but make sure you take into consideration the time and effort it will require to train a few young goats (ihave heard it is better to start as young as possible) or the additional costs of already trained goats.
I will post pictures up later, and keep an update on my progress, although I expect it to be a slow process. 

[jackelope]

Goats are cool critters and they can get a lot of places in the high country that mules can't get to...plus they're a lot lower maintenance.

  Now I might have to mildly disagree with you on the last part of that, one mule can pack the same as 5 or 6 goats, and I've had goats and mules......mules are extremely low maintenance.   

I agree...I should have stressed the "goats can go places others can't" more and the lower maintenance part less.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

One thing I wanted to add... after reading "Goats also seem to put big game animals at ease." I wanted to comment, a doe that comes through our yard occasionally was/is bedded down right now, watching them, (the goats) I will post pict of her also later....

[Machias]

Goats are cool critters and they can get a lot of places in the high country that mules can't get to...plus they're a lot lower maintenance.

   Now I might have to mildly disagree with you on the last part of that, one mule can pack the same as 5 or 6 goats, and I've had goats and mules......mules are extremely low maintenance.   

I agree...I should have stressed the "goats can go places others can't" more and the lower maintenance part less.

I was just messing with you!!

[jackelope]

Gotcha...
 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

These are my new goats..

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

And the doe that was bedded, watching them..

[Kain]

Man I wish I could get a couple pack goats.  They put deer and elk at ease but attract bears and cougars.   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

mine wont be big enough to ride like that ! 
cool pics

[dreamingbig]

My cousin has pack goats and he brought them along two years ago on our backcountry elk hunt.  They were okay but still undecided as to whether the extra time taking care of them was worth it.  They do pack a lot of gear but your hike time will be longer as we had to pull them up the hill so to speak.

[jackelope]

I've been on a hike with goats once and there was no need to pull them up the hill...they moved out...kept right up with us the whole time.
Actionshooter has some pics of his goats pulling him up a hill. If he sees this thread maybe he'll chime in.
AlpineGus has some cool goat pics too.