The Art of Packing In: Mastering Backcountry Hunts with Llamas and Goats

Why Llamas and Goats?

Llamas and goats are robust, sure-footed animals perfectly adapted to the demands of backcountry terrain. They are capable of traversing narrow trails, enduring harsh weather, and have a low impact on the environment. Unlike horses, which are often the go-to pack animals, llamas and goats can subsist on poorer forage and are less likely to spook in the wilderness, which is essential when stealth and silence are paramount for a successful hunt.

Choosing Your Pack Animal

Before setting out on your backcountry hunt, choosing the right animal for your needs is crucial. Llamas are larger and can carry more weight – approximately 25-30% of their body weight. This means a single llama can carry around 70 to 90 pounds of gear. On the other hand, goats are smaller but surprisingly strong for their size, able to carry around 20-25% of their body weight.

Training and Conditioning

Both llamas and goats require training to be effective pack animals. They should be accustomed to being led, loaded, and unloaded with gear. Conditioning is also vital, as you should not expect an animal to carry a full load if they haven’t been gradually accustomed to it. Start with light loads and short treks before the hunting season begins.

Packing the Right Gear

When packing with llamas or goats, every ounce matters. Start with the essentials:

• Lightweight, high-calorie food
• Water purification system
• First-aid kit for you and your animals
• Navigation tools (map, compass, GPS)
• Shelter (tent or bivy sack)
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Cooking equipment (stove, fuel, utensils)
• Hunting gear (rifle, bow, ammunition, knives)
• Game bags and a tarp for packing out meat
• Animal feed for areas with insufficient forage

Pack animals also need their own gear, including a well-fitted pack saddle, panniers, lead ropes, and halters.

Loading Your Animal

The key to a successful pack-in is balance. The weight must be evenly distributed on both sides of the animal to prevent discomfort and injury. Practice loading and unloading before your trip to ensure a smooth process once in the field. Start by placing the saddle on the animal’s back, making sure it’s snug but not too tight. Then, load your gear into the panniers, ensuring the weight is even on both sides. Secure the panniers to the saddle, and you’re ready to go.

In the Field

Once in the backcountry, the rules change. You must be vigilant about where and how you set up camp. Choose a spot that is not only good for you but also suitable for your pack animals. They need access to water, a place to graze, and a comfortable spot to rest. Always tether your animals securely at night, and check on them frequently. Predators or even just the unfamiliar noises of the wild can unsettle them.

Respect the Land

Practicing Leave No Trace principles is paramount when bringing animals into the backcountry. Minimize campfire impacts, travel on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, and leave what you find. This not only preserves the wilderness for others but also protects the environment that sustains the wildlife we hunt.

Packing Out

After a successful hunt, the real work begins. Field dressing the game is only the first step; you then have to pack it out. This is where your pack animals truly shine. Distribute the weight of the meat evenly in the panniers, and make sure it’s secure. Meat can shift during travel, so check the load frequently. Avoid overloading your animals, even if it means making more than one trip. An injured or exhausted pack animal is a liability in the backcountry.

Training for Emergencies

Prepare for the unexpected by training for emergencies. Know basic animal first aid, and always carry a kit. Understand how to navigate out of the wilderness if you or your animal is injured. A satellite phone or emergency beacon can be a lifesaver in areas where cell phones are useless. Packing in with llamas or goats can enhance your backcountry hunting experience by enabling you to travel deeper into the wilderness with less weight on your back. With their sure-footedness, low-impact grazing, and calm demeanor, these pack animals become not just beasts of burden but hunting companions. By choosing the right animal, training and conditioning them properly.

Colorado Llama Rental

Here's a list of some llama rental companies in Colorado, which you might find useful for your backcountry hunting trips:

Redwood Llamas

• Based in Silverton, Colorado, this company has been providing llama pack trips since 1982.

• Website: redwoodllamas.com

Buckhorn Llama Co., Inc.

• Located in Masonville, Colorado, they offer llama leasing for self-guided trips, fully outfitted and guided adventures.

• Website: llamapack.com

Llama Adventures

• Operates out of Leadville, offering guided llama treks in the San Isabel National Forest.

• Website: llamaadventures.com

Wilderness Ridge Trail Llamas

• With a base in the San Juan Mountains, they offer rental llamas for hunting and trekking purposes.

• Website: wildernessridgetrailllamas.com

Parmalee Llama Co.

• This company located in the Rocky Mountains provides guided llama treks along with rental services.

• Website: parmaleellama.com

Stone Llama Outfitters

• Nestled in Carbondale, Colorado, they cater to hunters looking to explore the backcountry with a sturdy pack llama.

• Website: stonellama.com

Colorado Llama Rentals

• Based in Montrose, Colorado, offering llama rental services tailored for hunters and wilderness explorers.

Website: coloradollamarentals.com Before deciding to rent a llama, it's essential to contact the company to discuss your specific needs, the terrain you plan to hunt in, and the length of your trip. They can provide you with vital information on how to handle the llamas, prepare for your trek, and offer guided trips if you're less experienced with pack animals. Please note that while this list is accurate as of my last update in April 2023, businesses can change. I would recommend reaching out to them directly or checking their online presence for the most current services and offerings