Has anybody ever used llamas?

charlie brown · 06-19-2004, 05:02 PM

I am wondering if anybody has ever used llamas for not only packing out game meat, but to use for backcountry camping trips and such. I am wondering because I understand that they are very easy to train for a packing job, are very easy to take care of, and the way their feet are designed would be perfect for the type of terrrain that I typically hunt. I know they can't carry as much as a mule or horse, but one or two could make a quick job of packing a deer, and maybe a couple trips for a good sized elk, as I understand they can carry about 1/3 of their body weight, which equals close to 100 lbs total, including the pack.

rambopacker · 06-20-2004, 08:12 AM

CB, Working in the Forest Service out in many areas I've run across llamas and worked with a ranger that used them my first season. Although I am a horse and mule kind of guy I think llamas work great for some people. What is the best about them is there ability to get over and around deadfall and other obstacles that horses and mules might have a problem with. The other great thing is that they can eat just about anything which makes them easy to take care of out in the woods. A well trained and conditioned llama probably can carry 80 lbs. of gear. If you overload them or if they're just out of shape they will lay down on you and good luck getting them to move. We never had a problem with them while patrolling.

P.S. Know one thing about llamas, other livestock that are not use to llamas freak out when they encounter them. While working at a trailhead in the Bighorns of Wyoming all the Horses at the trailhead started blowing up and just went crazy and I didn't know what was going on. A truck and trailer was coming up the road and when I saw the llamas in the back then I knew. They don't even have to see them, it's their smell that livestock isn't use to. We had a guy coming down the trail once and when his big horse got a whiff of the llama he went on a rodeo ride. If your out on thr trail with llamas and see horses coming let the horseman know you have a llama and move as far off the trail as possible. Some horses are use to them and they will let you know. I've never seen one spit either but hear they do????.

charlie brown · 06-20-2004, 08:20 AM

rambopacker- thanks for the reply. Didn't know that llamas and other livestock didn't get along. I also heard that llamas spit but have not yet seen that.