Lama hunting

[squirrel]

Sorry I meant to expand more but had to shut down.
Untrained llamas are very cheap, for a reason. Well trained llamas are quite pricey, for a reason. Llama tack is very pricey, for no reason... so I make my own.

Beware the allure of big llamas. In my experience they are the wimps, get them with big hearts no matter the size of body wrapped around the heart.

Most raghorns can be boned and packed out on two llamas though if rough terrain I usually put it on 3, of course I have a lot of llamas!

You can put up to 4 in a pickup truck for a short trip, they just hop in like a dog. This greatly increases the number of t/h's you can get into and out of- especially with snow. Horse trailers suck in 2 feet of snow.

 

[FitToHunt]

Llamas vs Mules for the inexperienced packer?

 

[squirrel]

hands down llamas for that. Rookies by definition will screw up and the chance of you ending up bleeding or in need of a trip to the ER is way lower with llamas, x 10 if going solo where any injury is serious. Get kicked by a mule, good luck with the rest of your hunt. Get kicked by a llama it will make you say a bad word or two maybe, depends on how square he hits you! They rarely kick BTW.

Don't try this at home with horses or mules, although I have seen mules that would... jump in like a dog.

 

[bghunter]

I have used them and rented them out for about 20 years. They are amazing pack animals, with pros and cons just as with any other stock, very unique animals. You must have good animals, trained, and in condition, most horror stories (like for any other pack stock) involve rookie handlers using animals that are lacking in condition or training. And lets face it some people should stick with ATV's... throttle/brake and they will even have trouble with that! Most people should rent for a week or two trip before jumping in with both feet, if they like it by all means get in. Getting un-trained llamas will be very challenging for most, depending on background and skills. But the reward is huge when you come out with your string and elk, no feeling on earth better !

Have you had any problems with predators? Can bears, wolfs, mountain lions or any other predators attack them in woods?

 

[squirrel]

Sorry I have tried to supplement my post twice with further info but am not allowed. Llamas are far easier and less dangerous for beginners. They would not withstand a serious predators attack. But I have never had it happen. Coyotes are no problem though they do hover around and bark at those strange wooly beasts.

 

[wyohunter1]

I've heard stories of them killing coyotes and badgers, farmers use them for guarding sheep herds.

 

[mntnguide]

Llamas vs Mules for the inexperienced packer?

I have never used llamas...but I would suggest they are probably easier than mules for inexperience. Mules/horses take considerable knowledge of how to pack correctly and how to take care of stock in the backcountry, because if a wreck happens or an injury, you need to be responsible and knowledgable enough to know how to deal with it. There are llama rental businesses that basically give you a short intro, then send you on ur way with their llamas and I know people do just fine. I would say unless you have ample stock experience/knowledge, Llamas would be a better option to look into

 

[bghunter]

Thank you. I've heard that llamas can kill coyotes and some farmers keep them to protect sheep and goat but was wondering about bigger predators.

 

[JimP]

If a cougar or a larger black bear wants a llama dinner there isn't much you can do to prevent it other than watching them 24/7

 

[bghunter]

That sucks. How often it happen? Does anybody have bad experience with predators in woods?

 

[JimP]

I have never heard of them becoming a lunch dinner but it is something that has to be considered.

It is a lot like a hunter being attacked by a cougar. I won't say that it won't happen but the chances are there that it could. I just don't worry about them or even the bears. They usually take off out of the area when people are around but cougars are cats and cats are curious and will actually watch humans from a short distance away, I've seen that happen

 

[bghunter]

Thank you!