Hi guys, I posted and inquiry in the horse section regarding using llamas for packing in the mountains. It really interest me, so if any Canadians have had experience doing this or would like to find out about it you might want to junp in on this discussion.

While they are sure-footed as hell they are not worth the effort to use for hunting. They can't pack much weight, about 50 60 pounds tops, and most have a nasty attitude just like their cousin the camel. They good ones will bite and spit and cause all manner of grief and the bad ones are even worse! LoL

there are a few people around here with llamas
but I've never seen anyone use them for hunting

When I worked in Peru you would see the Indios using llamas (pronounced yama, by the way), and sometimes Alpacas for carrying stuff, but the loads weren't large as mentioned; and they are pretty surly. That said, if you had a couple of them well trained, you could just about go anywhere a goat does. Or rather, they could. I know I couldn't. - Dan

When hunting in Alaska, our guide had llamas which we used to pack up a mountain.

It is a way to get additional "stuff" up the hill.

In order to be of value (carry enough), it seems like it was necessary for each hunter to lead one.

This is ok for people "in tune" with animals.

My hunting partner was not.

Dear Ted,

Just curious as to what species you hunted, where, and who the guide was? Did you also use the llamas to pack the game out?

Thanks,
Washougal Chris

We were hunting moose at the time.

The guide's name is Braun Kopsack (Knik Glacier Adventures).

www.knikglacieradventures.com

He does use them to pack out.

I believe he will put a max of around 100 lbs. on them if I remember correctly.

Personally, I liked them but I could see they were not for everyone.

At age 51, I'll take leading a llama over carrying the extra load any day.

Dear Ted,

Thanks for the link. I've been working with three llamas, getting them trained and in shape for some trips this summer and fall here in Washington state. I've always been a bit curious if they would be practical in Alaska - I wonder what he does with them in the winter?

Thanks,
Washougal Chris

Llama packing is not for everyone. As has been said, they can get pretty surly. However (ya knew there had to be one), here in Colorado, there are summer day trips where a person can learn about llamas and take them on a supervised hike. My partner and I did that. Took two on a hunting trip. Now are thinking of getting our own llamas. Seems like I can get along with almost any animal...except the human female.

I think he has a liitle shed that they can go in.

You should give Braun a call and discuss.

Washougal Chris, we have lots of llamas up here in Canada, and they just have wind shelters, mostly. They get pretty thick coats in the winter, seems to protect them pretty well. - dan

When you consider how easy they are to transport compared to horses it makes sense to me. Stock racks on the 1/2 ton and you're off. You don't have to carry much feed for them. Apparently they don't spook as easily as horses and are very sure footed.

I can attest to the fact they are surefooted.

One does have to get used to keeping enough slack in the "lead rope" so when they leap a stream or some fallen logs that you are not jerked off your feet.

This is one of the things I was referring to when I said they were not for everybody.

It was funny to watch though.

They also hate Coyotes with a "purple passion"! lol derf

I've seen experiments where they've been tried out for coyote control in sheep contry. Can't say I remember the final results though.

Pound for pound a llama will carry loads that will kill a horse. They don't require special feed and are as sure footed as it gets. The down side is you have to lead them and the are lazy little buggers. A buddy near wore out a good saddle horse draging llamas up and down the mountains training them, but they do step out now.