Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Stickboy on June 27, 2011, 08:05:11 pm
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Been reading some of the back issues of "Primitive Archer" that my wife kindly got me for my birthday (they actually arrived *on* my birthday, which was pretty awesome). Came across the article on "pack goats" in Volume 1 issue 3, and wondered if anyone here has attempted the use of pack goats? I've been thinking on getting a pygmy goat for a hiking companion for a while, and the article has further steeled my desire to get one -- now, for a hunting companion as much as for hiking. Anyone have an insight on the use of a pygmy as a pack animal?
If anyone is unfamiliar with the article, it talks about how the hunter loads about five-days worth of gear for a hunting trip onto a pack goat (in the article, they're proper goats, and not pygmies). Once proper rapport is built with the goat, it follows him almost like a dog. The deer he hunts seem curious as to what the goat is, and at times, come from cover to investigate, which offers bow shots. The article notes that goats aren't squeamish about blood or carrying meat like horses tend to be, so they'll carry the butchered deer with no thought to it. Horses are also much more expensive to house and sustain than is a goat, and are much more picky about what they will/can eat. Depending on your stance on the taste of goat (I find it pretty tasty, myself), the writer suggests use of the goat as an archery target should it prove to be an insufficient pack animal. ;)
I look forward to your thoughts!
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This is pretty funny but I know a very serious hillbilly friend of mine who uses them to pack into elk camp and pack his elk out. He has some big goats and there is a lead goat that the rest follow and the leader follows him, I think they pack somthing like 30pounds each and he has 4 tottal. a pigmy goat could pry pack about ten pounds worth of water or beer lol He could pry load more weight on them but he dont want to over work em on long packs. ;D
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Use big goats with big orange vests. A small donkey works much better but does not taste as good. To me , anyway.
Lane
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who needs pack animals.. i have a younger brother >:D
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Really shouldn't shoot and eat your younger brother...some folks frown on that type of thing >:D
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I never heard of using goats but I read an article about using Llamas. They are much like goats in terms of hardiness and ease of caring for, can pack about 150lbs over rough terrain. Dont know what they taste like but the Inca ate them and modern Peruvians eat them. Gotta love a truck you can eat when it breaks down...if only Fords were so accommodating >:D
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Yum...edible trucks... Lol.
I would consider an alternate animal, or even a larger goat, but my yard is only about pygmy goat sized, so I figure I'll see how one does. I might have to borrow a younger brother if it doesn't work out, though.
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here are some pics I stole off another site ;D
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more
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actually pretty cool IMO
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Very cool! Seen it before but I thought is was a joke. 8)
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That's pretty cool, best of all they will eat anything so no need to bring feed.
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your welcome to the little brother anytime.... >:D
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I agree: very cool. Thanks for finding those pictures; I didn't have any luck when I looked for some. Definitely going to be getting a goat now... Anyone have any thoughts on convincing a wife that a goat is a good idea? lol
There were a few pictures with the article, but none with the goats actually along on the hunt. One of the main draws to the pack goat was the ability to eat about anything, especially tough stuff that other pack critters can't digest. I'm not sure what kind of packs they have on those goats, but I would think a pack for a large dog would work.
Elktracker, what site did you get those from? I wouldn't mind having a look at it.
your welcome to the little brother anytime.... >:D
I have a little sister, but she would be more likely to shoot me with an arrow than to help carry anything...
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...and if you get skunked on your hunt you could always eat mutton for super! :D
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...and if you get skunked on your hunt you could always eat mutton for super! :D
Ya but then who is gonna pack your camp gear back to the truck ;D :D
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...and if you get skunked on your hunt you could always eat mutton for super! :D
Ya but then who is gonna pack your camp gear back to the truck ;D :D
The younger brother!
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;D :D
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8)
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I understand why you are thinking goat, but llama are a great way to go. They don't make as much noise as other pack animals (almost completely silent) and they carry a bit of weight. The coyotes won't hurt them either. They are also allowed on NFS land where horses and donkeys aren't allowed. (The way it is going it will be all NFS land before you know it.)
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Interesting...I've never heard of using a llama as a hunting pack animal; but, I had never heard of using a goat either. If I didn't have such space limitations, I may consider that.
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well,the goat idea aint a bad one,but a pygmy,even though they are tough,1 aint going to be alot of help.maybe carry water,or sleeping gear.at the most,20% body weight
on flat terrain,less in the hills.
and they wont eat "anything".they are browsers.but if you are working them,you will have to pack concentrated food for them.
but as a companion,maybe carrying a very light load,one pygmy could be an advantage.especially if you learn to use its sense of smell and hearing.
and you can always dress it out and eat it if need be >:D
ken
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There is an old, back issue of PA about using Llama's for pack animals.
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That was a worry about the pgymies: I didn't figure they could carry much. Really, it'll probably end up being more a buddy for the dogs, and a hiking companion (I can't hit a thing with an arrow! Yet...). If I do manage to get a deer, the pygmy could at least help with a fraction of the weight. Could probably keep me from having to carry rabbits or turkeys, too.
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There is an old, back issue of PA about using Llama's for pack animals.
Found that issue: It's vol.2 issue 4. I think I'm still more intrigued and amused by the prospect of a goat as a hunting buddy...