https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:11:58 +0000 MyBB https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=5425 Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:03:10 -0600 Stringinit]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=5425
I have met 2 different packgoat people in the past month that leave their goats in camp while hunting.

You can not do this. I was hiking off trail last weekend and heard a goat yelling out loud. I was at least a half mile away. I thought for sure someone lost a goat and they were lost calling for their owner. I followed the sound of the goat that I’m sure every bear and mtn lion in the area could hear as well. As I approached the goat I saw a tent and thought oh people are in camp with their goats. I approached to say hello and to find out no one is in camp. I thought to myself, wow, this is the 2nd person that I’ve seen recently that does this. 

To top it off they highlined their goats where they could reach each other. This is the most dangerous thing they could’ve done! You cannot tie your goats where they can reach eachother. They can cross lead lines and strangle eachother! It most likely will happen if they are left alone long enough.

People please at the very least have someone in camp with them and make sure they can’t reach other while tied up when they are not being closely watched.]]>
I have met 2 different packgoat people in the past month that leave their goats in camp while hunting.

You can not do this. I was hiking off trail last weekend and heard a goat yelling out loud. I was at least a half mile away. I thought for sure someone lost a goat and they were lost calling for their owner. I followed the sound of the goat that I’m sure every bear and mtn lion in the area could hear as well. As I approached the goat I saw a tent and thought oh people are in camp with their goats. I approached to say hello and to find out no one is in camp. I thought to myself, wow, this is the 2nd person that I’ve seen recently that does this. 

To top it off they highlined their goats where they could reach each other. This is the most dangerous thing they could’ve done! You cannot tie your goats where they can reach eachother. They can cross lead lines and strangle eachother! It most likely will happen if they are left alone long enough.

People please at the very least have someone in camp with them and make sure they can’t reach other while tied up when they are not being closely watched.]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4905 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 19:34:37 -0600 Stringinit]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4905
I hunt for meat and have some preferences for processing meat. I am a deer hunter most of the time as elk tags here in California are hard to come by. My boys can handle 2 whole, bone in, deer quarters apiece but 2 elk quarters is just way too much for even the biggest goat. I prefer to age my meat with the bone in, as it allows the meat to go through the rigor process properly. 

Has anyone ever loaded their goat with a full elk quarter? I invision somehow loading my goat with a full bone in quarter somehow balanced and strapped across the top of the sawbucks lengthwise...? Anyone ever attempt this? Everything I've ever seen on packgoat hunting videos they have always deboned the meat and equally distributed the meat in each pannier. I want keep the quarter whole.

In any event I will attempt to load my boys with a quarter apiece and will report back. 

The hams might be too much weight for even my biggest boys and so I may be forced to carry those out myself. 

Happy hunting and good luck to all this season.]]>
I hunt for meat and have some preferences for processing meat. I am a deer hunter most of the time as elk tags here in California are hard to come by. My boys can handle 2 whole, bone in, deer quarters apiece but 2 elk quarters is just way too much for even the biggest goat. I prefer to age my meat with the bone in, as it allows the meat to go through the rigor process properly. 

Has anyone ever loaded their goat with a full elk quarter? I invision somehow loading my goat with a full bone in quarter somehow balanced and strapped across the top of the sawbucks lengthwise...? Anyone ever attempt this? Everything I've ever seen on packgoat hunting videos they have always deboned the meat and equally distributed the meat in each pannier. I want keep the quarter whole.

In any event I will attempt to load my boys with a quarter apiece and will report back. 

The hams might be too much weight for even my biggest boys and so I may be forced to carry those out myself. 

Happy hunting and good luck to all this season.]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4213 Sat, 15 Aug 2020 22:36:17 -0600 IdahoNancy]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4213 https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4026 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 20:42:35 -0700 Stringinit]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=4026
I currently have northwest saddles with standard rigging. My experience is that these saddles have served me well overall. I have had a few minor issues with in steep offtrail loads. Where my panniers would flop up, usually coming down steep uneven ground. Also I would get a little rubbing on the outside shoulders of my goats. Just to where it was breaking their hair, they never gotten sores. It just kinda looks bad with them having bald spots. My understanding is the slick material is what you want, where it kind of just glides across their hair and if you add any padding it just makes it worse. So I assume I'll have to live with it.

I put 150+ miles on my goats last year and will likely expect that from them every year. I am very conscientious about them carrying loads and really want to maximize their comfort while they are working. 

Does anyone have any extensive experience with other brands/styles of straps?

Butthead packgoats and Mark Warnke's signature saddle have a double breast cinch. Which seems like with that design it would support a load better in rougher terrain. 

Northwest packgoats has standard rigging and the mountain straps upgrade. What's your experience with the upgrade?

Bantam saddle has nice saddles too.

I'm on the market for new saddles and would like some fellow hardcore backcountry goat people's experiences with their own gear.

Thanks]]>
I currently have northwest saddles with standard rigging. My experience is that these saddles have served me well overall. I have had a few minor issues with in steep offtrail loads. Where my panniers would flop up, usually coming down steep uneven ground. Also I would get a little rubbing on the outside shoulders of my goats. Just to where it was breaking their hair, they never gotten sores. It just kinda looks bad with them having bald spots. My understanding is the slick material is what you want, where it kind of just glides across their hair and if you add any padding it just makes it worse. So I assume I'll have to live with it.

I put 150+ miles on my goats last year and will likely expect that from them every year. I am very conscientious about them carrying loads and really want to maximize their comfort while they are working. 

Does anyone have any extensive experience with other brands/styles of straps?

Butthead packgoats and Mark Warnke's signature saddle have a double breast cinch. Which seems like with that design it would support a load better in rougher terrain. 

Northwest packgoats has standard rigging and the mountain straps upgrade. What's your experience with the upgrade?

Bantam saddle has nice saddles too.

I'm on the market for new saddles and would like some fellow hardcore backcountry goat people's experiences with their own gear.

Thanks]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3951 Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:27:13 -0600 IdahoNancy]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3951 Track Goats. My yearling Oberhasli, Beaumont, from Circle 33 Pack Goats proved to be my best track goat. While elk hunting in Wyoming we had to ascend a 1000 feet to get over a ridge back to our wall tent. We all had loaded packs except for Beaumont. It was snowing hard and getting deep. The trail going up the ridge disappeared in the snow. Climbing in the snow with out that trail was going to be difficult. Suddenly this young goat walked on and was able to stay on the trail with no visual evidence of where this trail was located. Not sure how goats do that but we were sure glad God made them that way. ]]> Track Goats. My yearling Oberhasli, Beaumont, from Circle 33 Pack Goats proved to be my best track goat. While elk hunting in Wyoming we had to ascend a 1000 feet to get over a ridge back to our wall tent. We all had loaded packs except for Beaumont. It was snowing hard and getting deep. The trail going up the ridge disappeared in the snow. Climbing in the snow with out that trail was going to be difficult. Suddenly this young goat walked on and was able to stay on the trail with no visual evidence of where this trail was located. Not sure how goats do that but we were sure glad God made them that way. ]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3626 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 21:10:34 -0700 Saph]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3626
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9oZTb9tKw&fbclid=IwAR3cCmo-IkmyzlwsIEqK5Han4KYsxEFWail_SIcAfL-RvngYEilbi1fefTk

https://packgoats.com]]>
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9oZTb9tKw&fbclid=IwAR3cCmo-IkmyzlwsIEqK5Han4KYsxEFWail_SIcAfL-RvngYEilbi1fefTk

https://packgoats.com]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3112 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 10:29:36 -0700 Duck-Slayer]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3112 https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk...s-Elk-2017

Here is the link for my hunt! enjoy,
Matt]]> https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk...s-Elk-2017

Here is the link for my hunt! enjoy,
Matt]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3054 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 18:40:56 -0600 Jimr]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3054
This year one of my goals was met bringing out a bull in one trip with just me and the big goats, a spike in early September. Went out for another week taking friends and got snowed out, but still a good time.

Went out for another week in October and we had all kinds of weather, snow and wind and cold. I was worried about the goats but they handled it fine. My buddy got a Muley on that trip and the goats got more experience. Can’t wait for more.

  1489760B-0364-4573-8BBF-36FD7573EA47.jpeg (Size: 471.77 KB / Downloads: 4)

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This year one of my goals was met bringing out a bull in one trip with just me and the big goats, a spike in early September. Went out for another week taking friends and got snowed out, but still a good time.

Went out for another week in October and we had all kinds of weather, snow and wind and cold. I was worried about the goats but they handled it fine. My buddy got a Muley on that trip and the goats got more experience. Can’t wait for more.

  1489760B-0364-4573-8BBF-36FD7573EA47.jpeg (Size: 471.77 KB / Downloads: 4)

  C2B7950F-8D38-4636-BE02-D2B5FB8DCE72.jpeg (Size: 393.94 KB / Downloads: 2)

  16474993-1632-4413-834E-1B0323167555.jpeg (Size: 382.83 KB / Downloads: 1)

  5CD7A69B-8673-4E8E-9A98-F193A29E62B7.jpeg (Size: 295.93 KB / Downloads: 2)

  55CD3AE5-B0BB-4190-A35B-555BADC91B3B.jpeg (Size: 215.3 KB / Downloads: 1)

  D928C0F7-7C5C-4D8C-900C-56B5790C782C.jpeg (Size: 281.93 KB / Downloads: 3)

  C809BED4-E719-4A4B-A099-B5DB9A8464E9.jpeg (Size: 372.49 KB / Downloads: 3)

  1B297EC8-71ED-4576-B0EF-06FB8DB179BA.jpeg (Size: 376.2 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2270 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:10:13 -0600 IdahoNancy]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2270 Here is a link to the article.
http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articl...ajATrKGO1s]]> Here is a link to the article.
http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articl...ajATrKGO1s]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2019 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 08:13:50 -0700 Marc]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBlCvvKVzyE]]> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBlCvvKVzyE]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1868 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 22:47:02 -0600 Dave-Trinity-Farms]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1868

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  Buckdown.jpg (Size: 353.07 KB / Downloads: 1) ]]>

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  Buckdown.jpg (Size: 353.07 KB / Downloads: 1) ]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1854 Fri, 30 Sep 2016 11:48:14 -0600 Hunthard]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1854 https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1850 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:27:08 -0600 Duck-Slayer]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1850 Matt

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/...-chapter-2]]> Matt

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/...-chapter-2]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1842 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 08:18:47 -0600 Mallardsx2]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1842
I am originally from Pennsylvania and have recently moved to Georgia.

A little back history on me:

I pretty much grew up on a dairy farm. I have been around horses and livestock almost all of my life so being around and taking care of animals isnt really an issue for me.

I realize that pack goats will take a lot of work and several years before they will be ready. I have about 50 acres of land. So space for these goats will not be an issue.

I got back from a semi-successful hunting trip into Colorado this season. DIY OTC hunting area. I wont bore you with the details.

I'm about 160 pounds and this season I backpacked in about 5 miles with everything on my back and I decided that was the last time it was going to happen. I have been looking into pack goats for about two years now and have done a ton of research.

I am strongly considering getting 4-6 pack goats (weathers).

I camp lightweight. I have lightweight gear for backpacking. so really I am only going to be using the goats to get meat out and to get that heavy nasty pack off my back. I will carry my bow and wear my day pack with lightweight stuff in it.

I have a few questions/concerns that some of you may be able to help with. I think I have watched just about every single video on the internet when it comes to pack goats . haha

Some people say "Never leave your goats at camp" I guess my question is what are you doing with them when you are hunting? Tying them up? (I have my concrn with them becoming a bear/mountain lion snack). Having them hunt right along side of me seems like it would be a complete disaster as an archery hunter with them making noise the entire time??

Also, I cant really find on the internet just how much a pack goat drinks for water in a day.

If I could have 4 goats that carry 40 pounds each that would be a lot of gear that I wouldn't have to have on my shoulders/back.

I hunt deep in the national forest and I know for sure that there are predators there so I am trying to figure out if goats are really for me or not.

I love Marc Warnke's videos. They have been very helpful.

The real big question and big ticket item to all of this comes in a two part question.

Is it practical to have pack goats to hunt out west when I live 1500 miles away and am only able to hunt two weeks a year?

Will my goats be able to travel that distance in a trailer?

Finally, will my goats who are raised and trained at 1500' Elevation be able to hunt at 10,500 elevation?

I know there is  a lot of information on this forum but these are my major concerns. I just don't want to invest time and money into Packing goats if it just isn't practical.

I really don't want to go the horse/mule/llama route. Those are just too expensive to feed and are not practical for me to own.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated before I end up with an epic failure and get the kids attached to the goats only to have them as pets for the next 15 years. 

Gary]]>
I am originally from Pennsylvania and have recently moved to Georgia.

A little back history on me:

I pretty much grew up on a dairy farm. I have been around horses and livestock almost all of my life so being around and taking care of animals isnt really an issue for me.

I realize that pack goats will take a lot of work and several years before they will be ready. I have about 50 acres of land. So space for these goats will not be an issue.

I got back from a semi-successful hunting trip into Colorado this season. DIY OTC hunting area. I wont bore you with the details.

I'm about 160 pounds and this season I backpacked in about 5 miles with everything on my back and I decided that was the last time it was going to happen. I have been looking into pack goats for about two years now and have done a ton of research.

I am strongly considering getting 4-6 pack goats (weathers).

I camp lightweight. I have lightweight gear for backpacking. so really I am only going to be using the goats to get meat out and to get that heavy nasty pack off my back. I will carry my bow and wear my day pack with lightweight stuff in it.

I have a few questions/concerns that some of you may be able to help with. I think I have watched just about every single video on the internet when it comes to pack goats . haha

Some people say "Never leave your goats at camp" I guess my question is what are you doing with them when you are hunting? Tying them up? (I have my concrn with them becoming a bear/mountain lion snack). Having them hunt right along side of me seems like it would be a complete disaster as an archery hunter with them making noise the entire time??

Also, I cant really find on the internet just how much a pack goat drinks for water in a day.

If I could have 4 goats that carry 40 pounds each that would be a lot of gear that I wouldn't have to have on my shoulders/back.

I hunt deep in the national forest and I know for sure that there are predators there so I am trying to figure out if goats are really for me or not.

I love Marc Warnke's videos. They have been very helpful.

The real big question and big ticket item to all of this comes in a two part question.

Is it practical to have pack goats to hunt out west when I live 1500 miles away and am only able to hunt two weeks a year?

Will my goats be able to travel that distance in a trailer?

Finally, will my goats who are raised and trained at 1500' Elevation be able to hunt at 10,500 elevation?

I know there is  a lot of information on this forum but these are my major concerns. I just don't want to invest time and money into Packing goats if it just isn't practical.

I really don't want to go the horse/mule/llama route. Those are just too expensive to feed and are not practical for me to own.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated before I end up with an epic failure and get the kids attached to the goats only to have them as pets for the next 15 years. 

Gary]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1587 Sat, 27 Aug 2016 09:57:04 -0600 Duck-Slayer]]> https://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1587
Fast forward too last fall, we took our 3 goats with us on my wife's Late Oct. elk hunt, they were not quite old enough too pack a full load but we wanted too get them out and get some experience, Mr. Bill (white multi color), Mr. Black (black one), and Mr. Buck (brown one), are our 3 goat's name's.



My daughter used Mr. Bill in the 2016 Canyon County Fair pack goat coarse and she got First Place in her division! I was really proud of her, She also used her (up coming) goat named Prince. She got 4th Place with Price.





I also built a couple of 11lb. pannier cooler's too carry in my frozen food, extra water, and some milk! I added 1" layer of foam to all side's and cover too help extend my frozen food.


Fast forward too Aug. been training with the goat's all summer, I've been running when I get the chance, got everything loaded in the packs last night, minus food (replaced with 4 gallons of water too simulate the weight) - Mr. Bill packed our water 6 Gallons - Mr. Buck packed all my gear - Mr. Black packed frozen food and extra water(simulated), and we went for about a 2 mile walk. They did great, no mishaps at all. 



Now I wait till Monday too leave and pack into a completely new area, i'm giving up my 2 point hunting and going out in a general unit for any deer. I hope to have a great time and too make this a yearly event, unless I draw a tag here.

Made a few Bacon, Potato, Egg, Cheese burrito's too take in with me the other day, I also have been saving left over's from dinner the last couple of weeks, no dehydrated food for this guy! and I bought a 9 cup percalater off of Amazon so I get my daily caffeine fix!



T-minus 3 days......
Matt]]>
Fast forward too last fall, we took our 3 goats with us on my wife's Late Oct. elk hunt, they were not quite old enough too pack a full load but we wanted too get them out and get some experience, Mr. Bill (white multi color), Mr. Black (black one), and Mr. Buck (brown one), are our 3 goat's name's.



My daughter used Mr. Bill in the 2016 Canyon County Fair pack goat coarse and she got First Place in her division! I was really proud of her, She also used her (up coming) goat named Prince. She got 4th Place with Price.





I also built a couple of 11lb. pannier cooler's too carry in my frozen food, extra water, and some milk! I added 1" layer of foam to all side's and cover too help extend my frozen food.


Fast forward too Aug. been training with the goat's all summer, I've been running when I get the chance, got everything loaded in the packs last night, minus food (replaced with 4 gallons of water too simulate the weight) - Mr. Bill packed our water 6 Gallons - Mr. Buck packed all my gear - Mr. Black packed frozen food and extra water(simulated), and we went for about a 2 mile walk. They did great, no mishaps at all. 



Now I wait till Monday too leave and pack into a completely new area, i'm giving up my 2 point hunting and going out in a general unit for any deer. I hope to have a great time and too make this a yearly event, unless I draw a tag here.

Made a few Bacon, Potato, Egg, Cheese burrito's too take in with me the other day, I also have been saving left over's from dinner the last couple of weeks, no dehydrated food for this guy! and I bought a 9 cup percalater off of Amazon so I get my daily caffeine fix!



T-minus 3 days......
Matt]]>