Packing out.
- Thread starter mmwb
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pufftuffly
Active Member
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- 446
Sweet setup!
How much weight depends on how large the goat is and how good of shape he is in. My two larger goats are about 200 lbs. The general rule for an average goat is 1/4 of their body weight, but I wouldn't hesitate to put 1/3 of their weight on them for a shorter trip.
If you are hiking in and out of the back country, you will want to go lighter. Having the goats in shape helps. Mine were pasture potatoes this summer, so I had them carry the quarters and I carried everything else boned out.
They are low maintenance and, as the pics show, I didn't have any of them on a lead. I get out of the truck, let them out and walk. They'll stay with me all day. You can trim the hooves with a fine pair of trimming shears from the home and garden department.
If you are hiking in and out of the back country, you will want to go lighter. Having the goats in shape helps. Mine were pasture potatoes this summer, so I had them carry the quarters and I carried everything else boned out.
They are low maintenance and, as the pics show, I didn't have any of them on a lead. I get out of the truck, let them out and walk. They'll stay with me all day. You can trim the hooves with a fine pair of trimming shears from the home and garden department.
Sherlock
Active Member
- Messages
- 378
Congrats.
Nice to see the goats in action. I just bought 3 pack goat kids last spring. Can't wait until they are big and ready to go with me. Already thinking I need 2 or 3 more to help me get elk and gear out of the backcountry in 1 comfortable trip.
Anyway, great job with the buck and the goats.
Nice to see the goats in action. I just bought 3 pack goat kids last spring. Can't wait until they are big and ready to go with me. Already thinking I need 2 or 3 more to help me get elk and gear out of the backcountry in 1 comfortable trip.
Anyway, great job with the buck and the goats.
ICMDEER,
The rifle is a Savage 110, I picked up umpteen years ago. I am hard on stuff so it and the scope have a few dings. I've killed about 60 animals with it and never lost one. Missed one deer, once, because I was in a hurry and jerked. Its not pretty, but it was good for sub MOA out of the box.
The rifle is a Savage 110, I picked up umpteen years ago. I am hard on stuff so it and the scope have a few dings. I've killed about 60 animals with it and never lost one. Missed one deer, once, because I was in a hurry and jerked. Its not pretty, but it was good for sub MOA out of the box.
I keep thinking a few more would be nice for the elk hunt. My two year olds will start packing next year, but I'm thinking two more might be good too. The large black and white was 8 yrs old when we got him and a bit wild. He is still stand offish, but behaves. You can pick up adult goats and as long as they have good conformation and disposition, can pack with them. They don't have to be raised by you to be good. I've only one I've raised (the small one in the pics above) and while he thinks I'm his mother, so do a couple of the other ones.
Timber_Master
Member
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- 29
Now I have seen it all! And nice buck too.
deadibob
Long Time Member
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- 3,062
My daughter is now in FFA and we've been talking about getting pack goats. Is there much involved as far as training? Do you tie them up and keep them in camp? Seriously interested in doing this. It would have been handy hunting in Montana or would they just be bear bait?
Training entailed putting the packs and panniers on and going. They aren't nearly as temperamental as horses. I've not heard of goats getting harassed by predators in the forest, except for dogs. Most predation seems to occur at home in the pasture. You could high line them in camp or let them come with you hunting. Other animals tend to be curious about them.
