Post by: vandeman17 on April 21, 2025, 01:15:35 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on April 21, 2025, 03:31:56 PM
I found a pack goat who had got loose three years ago. I knew what it was when it came down the road at me,stuck its head right in the truck window. We talked a bit and drove up the road the direction it came.
The goat followed right along. Found the father of the guy who owned the goat. He was cussing the critter.
I have done quite a bit of reading on them and if I were younger and single I would get some goats.
There are some guys on here that run them.
Also check out Facebook Pack goats.
I think they have to be four years old to pack 25% of their weight?
Post by: vandeman17 on April 21, 2025, 03:56:32 PM
Post by: mburrows on April 21, 2025, 06:57:29 PM
Post by: CarbonHunter on April 21, 2025, 07:26:15 PM
Post by: tracksoup on April 21, 2025, 07:30:57 PM
Post by: seth30 on April 21, 2025, 09:48:19 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on April 22, 2025, 06:31:39 AM
Post by: huntnnw on April 22, 2025, 07:28:39 AM
Do the goats take care of themselves as far as water and feed?
Yes, another big advantage to using goats is the ability to get them to trails where you can’t get a trailer into
Post by: vandeman17 on April 22, 2025, 09:09:49 AM
Goats all the way. I dont need to drag them along, and they wont lay down out of laziness or run back to the trail head. I run a pack string, and if you find yourself out on the wet side hit me up. We do between 600-1000 miles each year. Got four new kids(baby goats) in training. We run between 4 to 6 on each trip.
Will do I appreciate it.
Part of the reason I am leaning towards goats is that they also need less overall space at our house which would be nice. We will have our two horses out on pasture and if there were a couple llamas as well, not only is that a lot of competition of the feed but that is a lot of poop to clean up!
I only have experience going in with horses/mules and the intent is to be able to bring whatever I end up with to the different states I hunt so that I can pack in a little more comfortable camp than what just fits in a backpack. It will also be nice to have them help pack out any meat when needed.
Post by: highside74 on April 22, 2025, 09:35:46 AM
Post by: Shannon on April 22, 2025, 09:57:33 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on April 22, 2025, 10:11:56 AM
I do not have any experience with goats. I had llamas for a decade. They were super easy keepers and super cheap. I have 2 1/2 acres so not a lot of land. They couldn't keep the grass down and they poop in the same spot every time. I just trimmed their hooves twice a year myself. Super easy process. They also needed to be dewormed twice a year. That was easy. I only had to feed them one bale of hay on average per year. To say llamas are expensive I do not feel is even remotely accurate. If you do get llamas I have a bunch of pack saddles and paniers still that I'd give to the right person.
Great information and awesome offer. I grew up on a few acres and we boarded a couple llamas a handful of summers and I still remember the first summer we did when I saw that they poop in one spot. I was amazed but it was also nice compared to our couple sheep that covered the entire pasture
Post by: bachto on April 30, 2025, 08:34:53 AM
Post by: Tiger01 on April 30, 2025, 10:04:39 AM
Post by: 300rum on April 30, 2025, 10:13:11 AM
Post by: actionshooter on April 30, 2025, 08:24:13 PM
Post by: huntnnw on April 30, 2025, 08:34:13 PM
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.
Post by: Seabass on April 30, 2025, 08:48:05 PM
We did 8 days and the guys with the goats ate way better than the two of us with everything on our backs!
Post by: Seabass on April 30, 2025, 08:54:27 PM
Post by: Tiger01 on April 30, 2025, 09:05:58 PM
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.
Post by: 2MANY on April 30, 2025, 10:23:17 PM
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.
Post by: vandeman17 on September 22, 2025, 04:08:04 PM
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.
Post by: huntnnw on September 22, 2025, 08:24:14 PM
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
Post by: vandeman17 on September 23, 2025, 08:50:54 AM
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.
Post by: huntnnw on September 24, 2025, 06:29:50 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2025, 08:29:00 AM
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
Post by: actionshooter on September 24, 2025, 09:11:11 PM
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.