Llamas in Griz country

[406flyfish]

Set to pick up my first two llamas next spring. I live in SW MT. Where I live and hunt are prime bear country. What precautions should I be aware of on the trail and at camp with llamas?

 

[jolemons]

Interesting question, I'll be following. I'm also in your area, so curious what opinions exist. I think I'd want to use electric fence in areas with a lot of sheep grazing and depredation issues, ie Gravelly Range.


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[ELKhunter60]

I've rented llamas a few times. The last time I rented them, I used that guy in Bozeman and went into the Lee Metcalf for a week. No issues. Make sure the screw in stakes that you use to to keep the llama in camp are well secured. On a prior trip I had one come loose and the llama wondered off. He got farther away from camp before getting tangled up than you might think and I was in panic mode the whole time until I found him again.

I did have a moose come walking through camp in the Lee with the llamas - they didn't like that - made weird noises - but that's about it. I do keep the llamas kind of close to camp so human scent is as heavy as possible while I'm out hunting. I understand your concern - which is good - but I'd say just be bear aware, hang your food and go have fun.

 

[wasatchcomm]

keep the llamas close to one another, I keep mine in a circle if I can when im gone from camp, they will position themselves accordingly. I have a bear fence but have never used it and down carry it any longer either, Ido keep the llamas close at night, so I can hear them as well, more to hear if they get tangled rather than for protection, they will alert you with alarm call. had a bear under my food last year, llamas had him pegged, and he was out of their before I could get out of the tent.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Not sure of anything llama specific but we came back to camp last year in WY and something had broken down our electric fence.

Next morning some other horse folks shared a pic of a grizzly we never saw not far from our camp. Did he scare the horses and they broke the fence? Did he come up and investigate and got shocked and broke it? Did the horses just randomly back into it, then spook and break it? Dunno but I keep them in a pasture with an electric fence year round and they respect it very much.

My guess is IF it was the nearby grizzly that came up to investigate they would have been a lot more vulnerable if they had been highlined. I have used both methods but I think the fence both protects them some and gives them freedom of movement to defend themselves or flee.

 

[Eh2110]

I got 4 llamas last fall and had the same concerns. I have heard and read that predators unfamiliarity with llamas scent, appearance, and alarm call, spooks the predators and, while curious, they keep their distance before spooking and leaving the area.

 

[EdP]

If true I guess we can expect somebody to start selling llama scent and llama distress calls to chase away bears. Next thing you know the animal rights folks will be touting llama distress calls in lieu of bear spray.

Sorry, I had an epidural corticosteroid shot yesterday for sciatica and it has my smartass meter on high today.

 

[cgillis]

Set to pick up my first two llamas next spring. I live in SW MT. Where I live and hunt are prime bear country. What precautions should I be aware of on the trail and at camp with llamas?

I am in SW MT as well. I low line at night with a drag bag for each llama still attached to the end of each lead while on the low line. I make them out of basketball nets and fill with rocks. I like to keep them close to camp so I can hear any abnormal activity at night. My thought is if they break low line, then they still have a drag to slow them up. Also makes it easy to move them to fresh grass during the day in frozen ground.

 

[Bull_n_heat]

I am in SW MT as well. I low line at night with a drag bag for each llama still attached to the end of each lead while on the low line. I make them out of basketball nets and fill with rocks. I like to keep them close to camp so I can hear any abnormal activity at night. My thought is if they break low line, then they still have a drag to slow them up. Also makes it easy to move them to fresh grass during the day in frozen ground.

I'm in Western WY and this is my approach too. I either do the basketball nets to individual llamas or lowline all the llamas between two heavy bags with a stout rope. I'm not sure bears will be an issue at some time, but I feel like there is probably strength in numbers, and the llama alarm calls have definitely awoken me in the middle of the night. Having the animals close together sure seems like a good idea if at all possible.

Beau Baty likes to put a metal tag on the halter so that the animals are constantly making a little noise (both so the human and the predator can hear them), and recommends carrying a small radio to add some noise when you are away from the animals. Those seem reasonable to me

To the OP's question, I think vigilance is really the only thing you can do. Be thoughtful about where you set camp, hang meat, and just try to minimize the risks.

 

[cgillis]

I agree. I also run beau’s neck bands for quick and easy check at night with a light. In summer I just bring them along for the night. I don’t usually keep them on them during unless it’s in hunting season. They get really sweaty and dirty under the neck bands.not a big deal. Just personal preference.

 

[BCSojourner]

Set to pick up my first two llamas next spring. I live in SW MT. Where I live and hunt are prime bear country. What precautions should I be aware of on the trail and at camp with llamas?

I highline within 30 yards of our tent. Keeps the llamas out of trouble at night and also close enough that their alarm call, which is always pretty loud, will get us up and out if a predator is near. Mine are used to moose and elk so an alarm call tells me something else is near The highline also makes ground cleanup easier. Black bears have always vacated in a hurry around my llamas once they realized they were there, even a nearby sow with cubs in a park swapped ends quickly. You might also consider adding mortality insurance if you are investing a lot in your llamas. I did as we now have wolves in our area as well and my insurance covers them as long as they are picketed or fenced in the back country.