NO LAUGHING !!! Heres my string

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

I get some of the horse guys giggling on the trail sometimes. Razz

These guys work out pretty well in the high country

Sagecreek · Guest

Very cool! Can you tell us more? Breed, age, etc.....

Arrowslinger · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:21 pm Post subject:

Welcome to Sage Creek! Great pack string ya got there.

A buddy of mine brought two goats on a blacktail hunt a few years ago. I was more than impressed with how much they packed - a deer apeice and very easy to maintain, feed, and water.

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

Thanks for the welcome! They are real handy for sure. I have 6 goats, oberhaslis and alpines ranging in age from 2 year through 6.
I use them for hunting and just general packing. I have a pack this weekend, next weekend and most of august for bear hunting. Easy to care for also. Very Happy

WW · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

My wife has been on me to get a goat. So I have a question for you. How do you keep them from jumping on your car or truck?

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

GregE · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

I've played around with the idea of pack goats but I need someting that can haul my old bones too...... Rolling Eyes

Tuffy · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:32 am Post subject:

[They are really like 250# dogs Smile

[/quote]
250# dogs???? Your goats don't weigh 250# do they? I never knew they got that big.
I'll bet those horse guys weren't laughing too hard when you were climbing that hill in your photos... cuzz they weren't going up that.
Great photos... thanks for sharing.

Tuffy · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:36 am Post subject:

Also, it doesn't look like you're using their lead ropes.... they just follow you?

2rocky · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:

shooter, no laughing here. I have clients who raise goats.

Nothing wrong with having pack stock you can easily eat.

Ok that's my only joke.

What is their pack capacity?

What do you do to get them in shape before a hunting trip?

What happens when you see game, especially bears?

What do you do with them at night during a back country hunt?

Tell us more...

Sagecreek · Guest

I agree, tell us more. Very Happy

Is one breed better then the other? Do you need to haul in food, or do they eat whats available? And what about predators?

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

Ya, some of the goats will go about #250, The larger brown goats in the picture are only about #190-200. That breed doesn't get as large. For breeds, any of the dairy goat breed. Only use weathers (castrated) b/c the bucks stink, and the doe's can't carry as much.

They can pack about 30% of thier body weight when in good shape, but I don't genrally put more than 40# on them, if its a really long trip I'll even do less. I have heard of other guys putting 75-80 for short trips.

The lead ropes are for tying them up more or less. They follow me, which is good and bad. I don't have to mess with ropes but, If I'm walking down the trail and see a critter I want to chase, I have a heard of goats following me. Very Happy

The best part is the feed, I don't bring any Very Happy

I might pack a little grain for a little boost but they forage.

They can go way more places than a horse would ever dream of. Windfalls aren't that bad either, they go over or under.
At night or during the day when hunting I high line them in camp, just like a horse.
I keep the gear lite, use backpack gear for the most part, and pack my water in, I don't waste time with filtering. Then if we get an elk or whatever down, its only 1 trip and I pack the gear out if needed.

I haven't heard of anyone ever having problems with bears, I have heard of people being stalked by cats. I'm a little concerned with wolves where I hunt in Idaho, I haven't taken the goats there.

Leaving tonight for a off trail scouting trip with the goats.

WW · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

Do you ever take a nanny so you can have fresh milk for you cereal every morning? I always thought that might be a good idea.

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

Tuffy · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:08 am Post subject:

Well..... How'd the scouting trip go?

Tuffy · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

Another picture of a Pack Goat Twisted Evil

hntrgirl · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:40 am Post subject:

That is so cool! And nothing at all to laugh at! I love it that they are small and easier to transport, they require less feed and are probably less picky than an equine. Great pics!!!

FJager · 2 point Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 142 Location: Australia

Actionshooter, very interesting thread and great pics.

yoter · 2 point Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Idaho

Actionshooter - How do you transport your goats when you take them with you? Trailer, pickup bed? Looks like a pretty sweet setup...

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

I use my truck with a canopy on it if I'm only taking a couple. If I take 6 I have a 5x8 enclosed trailer.
Heres a pic of my daughter crossing a glacier in August. This was a 27 mile hike we did in a wilderness area in Wa.

Bowhntr · Spike Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 7

This is a great idea. I wonder if you could take 1 horse to ride on and let the goats follow behind and do the packing.

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

GregE · Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject:

I've been interested in using pack goats for quite a while I've got 5 acres tht could be fenced.
There is a bowhunter who uses goats in central OR- don't remember his screen name but he sent some helpful links several years ago.

Greg

actionshooter · 4 point Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 167

As a FFA project, my daughter has packgoat kids for sale right now Very Happy

trealtree · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:39 am Post subject:

Very cool pics!