Alpine Pack Goats

[NoBark]

My son has 3, none old enough to pack yet, but they follow him anywhere I'm kinda excieted to use them to get back in some deeper areas and stay in COMFORT. Hehehe 

[dreamingbig]

Here are three pictures of the goats I mentioned above.  I wouldn't say we had to pull all of them but at times they took a bit slower than we would have liked going up the hill.

[dreamingbig]

Another

[dreamingbig]

One more.

[actionshooter]

Hey Jackelope, thanks for sending me the link. I haven't been on the board much lately.
 I'll try to get some pics up later, they are on another computer.
 
  Alpine is a good breed, I have two and they are good tempered and good sized goats.
 
 

[deadyote]

Where did you guys that have goats, get them?  And where did you learn how to train them?  All this talk about high buck season and using goats is getting me all amped up for hunting season.  I am not sure who said that the goats attract bears, but the more goats the better.  I'll shoot two bears every year.  I love bear meat!!!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I bought my goats from a local (rancher/farmer) who advertised on CR, mostly for the kids, and brush clearing.
Figured while I was at it, why not 
So far I have been told that the first years training is all about bonding (so they follow you) and teaching them about lead ropes (collar and leash training, + hooking them in line for areas where a lead rope on packstring is required) and teaching them manners (so they dont eat your food, come inside tent, etc.)
When they get bigger/older (next year) then start getting them trained with packing/panniers.

[Mudball]

I love the idea. I hope that it will be easier to get the kids into the mountain's. The less work they have to do the more fun they will have doing it. I was hoping to get my barn and fence done this year so I can get some next spring. Even getting some that are allready 2 or 3 years old would be fine with me. I hope everyone that has them or is getting them has fun doing it and good luck in the mountain's( No wrecks with the critters that is never fun).

[Kain]

Where did you guys that have goats, get them?  And where did you learn how to train them?  All this talk about high buck season and using goats is getting me all amped up for hunting season.  I am not sure who said that the goats attract bears, but the more goats the better.  I'll shoot two bears every year.  I love bear meat!!!

  I really have no idea if they attract bears or not.  I just wanted to post that picture I found.   

[jackelope]

http://www.northwestpackgoats.com/

There's a lot of great goat info on that site as well as a forum with Classifieds with goats for sale.
Craigslist has a lot of goats for sale. Breed is important. Some goat breeds are lazy and not good for packing. Alpines are a good breed. Some folks like to have goats with horns, some without, etc.

[Alpinegus]

I have 15 plus years of experience with packgoats. Note there is a club in WA called the Evergreen Packgoat Club. You may have seen us at the Puyallup Sportsman show.   
Be careful of were you buy your goats and of breed. Bottle raising goats has always been my preference.
Be aware for those that have goats to keep your goats away from wild animals, as there are currently concerns with packgoats as they are closey related to sheep thus being a possible conflict with Big Horn Sheep. reason is the pnemonia the Big Horns are dieing from. The biologists are trying to resolve the issue. We are doing our best in the local and national communities to tread lightily with this issuse with the Big Horns. Some areas with big Horns may be closed to packgoats. Alaska and the Yukon had shut down packgoats in the dall sheep areas. 
Alpinegus ---->> EGPgC - President; & NAPgA member.

[Alpinegus]

More pictures...

[Kain]

That is just soooooo cool. 

[JimmyHoffa]

I've seen pack goats get deep into the Olympics.  They seem to be very sure footed, as they were going over rocks, logs, scree, and foot bridges.  When I see horses cross, they have to wade across the rivers...which could be an issue if it rains after you go in. The goats were also able to eat a more varied range of plants.  The goats I saw were headed up to the mountain tops in snow/ice carrying snowboards and skis.  They could also double as kitty bait.
One thing to note, whether horses, llamas, al pacas or goats.  The forest service wilderness rules only allow a max of 8 stock animals per group.  So someone like Machias could take 8 of his mules with the carrying capability of 40-48 goats, but goat man can only take 8 goats.
The goats can also ride in big dog kennels in the back of a pickup, so you don't need to drag a horse trailer around--which can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.  And depending on which wilderness area you're headed to, may be inaccessible with a stock trailer.  I can think of a few entry points near one of my local wilderness areas that can be reached by truck, but due to a large slide over the road...not sure a trailer would get over it. 

[actionshooter]

AlpineGus is the man when it comes to goatpacking.........I've learned a ton from him and he knows his stuff!