Post by: deadyote on May 17, 2011, 01:46:54 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on May 17, 2011, 04:52:41 AM
Search: "Goat" posted by Actionshooter and you should get alot of info....
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2011, 08:22:22 AM
Here's a couple other resources with good information.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f61/pack-goats-36442/ (http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f61/pack-goats-36442/)
http://www.highuintapackgoats.com/ (http://www.highuintapackgoats.com/)
http://www.northwestpackgoats.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.
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2011, 09:04:41 AM
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. :hello:
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 17, 2011, 09:18:03 AM
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. :twocents:
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2011, 09:23:16 AM
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. :hello:
I agree...I should have stressed the "goats can go places others can't" more and the lower maintenance part less.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 17, 2011, 09:23:26 AM
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2011, 09:33:01 AM
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. :hello:
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!!
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2011, 09:40:23 AM
;)
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 18, 2011, 09:26:35 AM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 18, 2011, 09:27:52 AM
Post by: Kain on May 18, 2011, 10:50:17 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.napga.org%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum03%2FP1070074a.jpg&hash=24092ba6c7a8fe210b4d31af37ec597a84ee67b2)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.napga.org%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum03%2FP1000959a.jpg&hash=2c02a2a87fc54ea984ae84147d11fa1292b74dd8)
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 19, 2011, 07:50:03 AM
cool pics
Post by: dreamingbig on May 19, 2011, 08:07:47 AM
Post by: jackelope on May 19, 2011, 08:22:55 AM
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.
Post by: NoBark on May 19, 2011, 10:56:53 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 19, 2011, 11:32:17 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 19, 2011, 11:34:09 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 19, 2011, 11:34:52 AM
Post by: actionshooter on May 19, 2011, 04:36:06 PM
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.
Post by: deadyote on May 20, 2011, 02:35:45 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 20, 2011, 03:20:36 PM
Figured while I was at it, why not :dunno:
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.
Post by: Mudball on May 20, 2011, 05:33:20 PM
Post by: Kain on May 20, 2011, 05:39:15 PM
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!!!:chuckle: I really have no idea if they attract bears or not. I just wanted to post that picture I found. :chuckle:
Post by: jackelope on May 20, 2011, 09:01:02 PM
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.
Post by: Alpinegus on May 24, 2011, 07:19:08 PM
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. :twocents:
Alpinegus ---->> EGPgC - President; & NAPgA member.
Post by: Alpinegus on May 24, 2011, 07:23:12 PM
Post by: Kain on May 24, 2011, 07:39:32 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on May 24, 2011, 07:42:51 PM
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.
Post by: actionshooter on May 24, 2011, 10:05:15 PM
Post by: WA hunter14 on May 25, 2011, 04:09:16 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on May 25, 2011, 06:04:37 PM
Quote
are goats friendly with dogs?
Depends on the goat and dog; similar to you and a dog. Do they know each other, the attitude of the dog.
We have often taken dogs on the trail, no problem.
Some dogs are raised and used to protect / gaurd goats like a Great Pyrenees.
Dogs that do not know the goats or what they are are the biggest trouble; these dogs are more problems in the woods than lions, tigers and bears. :o
Here is a picture of what happens to a goat from a kid friendly Shar-Pei. :bash: :bash: Dog in doggy hell now.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on May 25, 2011, 06:42:59 PM
Quoteare goats friendly with dogs?
Depends on the goat and dog; similar to you and a dog. Do they know each other, the attitude of the dog.
We have often taken dogs on the trail, no problem.
Some dogs are raised and used to protect / gaurd goats like a Great Pyrenees.
Dogs that do not know the goats or what they are are the biggest trouble; these dogs are more problems in the woods than lions, tigers and bears. :o
Here is a picture of what happens to a goat from a kid friendly Shar-Pei. :bash: :bash: Dog in doggy hell now.
Looks like that goat has been in Enumclaw...........
Post by: WA hunter14 on May 26, 2011, 10:24:16 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on May 27, 2011, 07:25:25 AM
Quote
sorry that happened, how did that dog get there, you shoot the thing?
Actually happened at home in the goats pasture. Had I not seen the dog on the goats eating it; I would not have suspected the dog. :guns: Did not have a gun handy by the time the dog ran home.
Owners had the dog put down the next day, and they covered vet bills.
There were 7 holes you could see day light through. Still has a hole in the ear.
After the event this goat does not shy from dogs, but stands ready for any confrontation. He recovered and is a good packer.
Post by: Special T on May 27, 2011, 09:05:21 AM
Post by: timberghost72 on June 09, 2011, 09:44:34 PM
Post by: sebek556 on June 09, 2011, 10:06:38 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on June 10, 2011, 12:52:04 PM
Regarding how many goats it takes to pack out an elk...only one goat needed if the elk is small enough! :chuckle: :chuckle:
Three to five goats otherwise for a cow to a bull.