Traveling out of state with pack animals

[jlw0142]

I have been looking at getting 2 burros/donkeys from a trainer who adopts them from the BLM in CO. I live in GA and I have land to accommodate them. My thought process is that I can go farther in the backcountry with them because I won’t have to worry so much about packing meat several miles from the truck. Plus, I can have more creature comforts and companions for solo hunting. But, that also means I have to tote them cross-country and take care of them year-round. Is it worth it?


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[loganwayne]

How many times you plan on hiking with them through the spring, summer before you go hunting? You can't just turn them out all year then expect them to pack 30-40 lbs 10 miles for you.


Personally the answer would be no.

You can get a backer to come get your game every year for a lot cheaper than owning your own stock.

 

[jlw0142]

How many times you plan on hiking with them through the spring, summer before you go hunting? You can't just turn them out all year then expect them to pack 30-40 lbs 10 miles for you.


Personally the answer would be no.

You can get a backer to come get your game every year for a lot cheaper than owning your own stock.

Yeah for sure, I’d take them hiking throughout the year and keep them in shape. There is lots of public land near home where I would pack in for fly fishing and hunting. But yeah, I totally get your point.


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[jlw0142]

How many times you plan on hiking with them through the spring, summer before you go hunting? You can't just turn them out all year then expect them to pack 30-40 lbs 10 miles for you.


Personally the answer would be no.

You can get a backer to come get your game every year for a lot cheaper than owning your own stock.

I have also heard stories of people being unable to get ahold of a packer, or the packer being unable to come. Most of my hunts will be solo, which means if I kill an elk 7 miles in, I will probably be doing like 30 miles of packing out if I can’t get a packer. I’m not arguing with you, because I completely agree, I’m just explaining my thought process. Have you always been able to get a packer to your animal?


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[Legend]

Maybe someone with more experience then me could weigh in on the veterinarian costs to cross state lines??

 

[Legend]

Maybe someone with more experience then me could weigh in on the veterinarian costs to cross state lines??

 

[loganwayne]

I have also heard stories of people being unable to get ahold of a packer, or the packer being unable to come. Most of my hunts will be solo, which means if I kill an elk 7 miles in, I will probably be doing like 30 miles of packing out if I can’t get a packer. I’m not arguing with you, because I completely agree, I’m just explaining my thought process. Have you always been able to get a packer to your animal?


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I've never needed to use a packer but I'm also not going out west every year.
But even with two animals that size your going to be making more than one trip out. Depending on their size they are going to be able to carry about 100 lbs each.

I think not being able to call out to a packer is a bigger issue than them just not coming, or they are to busy to get to you when you want. it's honestly pretty easy money for them if your not somewhere crazy.

 

[Live_weighT34]

Maybe someone with more experience then me could weigh in on the veterinarian costs to cross state lines??

Wouldn’t take much, typically you just need a health and coggins test from a vet on each animal and probably a brand inspection.
Pricing will likely depend on your vet.
And you’ll need to carry your paper work with you

 

[Live_weighT34]

Not saying you couldn’t do it or that you shouldn’t but remember what you’re asking of them, taking them from home, crossing the continent and changing climates and elevations. Trailer life is hard on animals.

 

[jlw0142]

Not saying you couldn’t do it or that you shouldn’t but remember what you’re asking of them, taking them from home, crossing the continent and changing climates and elevations. Trailer life is hard on animals.

Do you think I am asking for more issues than it’s worth?

I’ve read that you can usually let them graze and sleep overnight at rodeo grounds in small towns for a small fee/free. Any experience with that?


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[Live_weighT34]

Do you think I am asking for more issues than it’s worth?

I’ve read that you can usually let them graze and sleep overnight at rodeo grounds in small towns for a small fee/free. Any experience with that?


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Possibly. You could do 10 trips and not have an issue but with stock it’s always something. Like I said above, you’re asking a lot out of your animals going that far from home.

Plenty of experience in that area. Most small towns don’t care if you pull in for the night and throw the animals in the back pens behind the bucking chutes. Just remember to leave the pens better than you found them and shut the gates. That last one is extremely important lol

 

[jlw0142]

Possibly. You could do 10 trips and not have an issue but with stock it’s always something. Like I said above, you’re asking a lot out of your animals going that far from home.

Plenty of experience in that area. Most small towns don’t care if you pull in for the night and throw the animals in the back pens behind the bucking chutes. Just remember to leave the pens better than you found them and shut the gates. That last one is extremely important lol

Good info. Thanks man. Lots to consider. I don’t want a trip I look forward to all year to be ruined because of a couple donkeys, but I can see lots of situations where they would be really nice to have around.


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[Live_weighT34]

Good info. Thanks man. Lots to consider. I don’t want a trip I look forward to all year to be ruined because of a couple donkeys, but I can see lots of situations where they would be really nice to have around

I love packing out with horses and mules, haven’t used donkeys but as long as there’s a solid level of trust and shared experience amoung the group you should be fine.

 

[missjordan]

My opinion on the matter is this

The animals have to be really fit. I would think stock would also struggle with a change in altitude especially if you are coming from lower elevation to upper elevation. I would give them a fullday to settle in before going in deep.

Getting them to stay hydrated in transit is key. I would probably keep them on electrolytes the entire trip.

Also learn how to vet and Dr your stock. Watch out for signs of colic. Keep bute and banamine IV on hand. Know how to administer an IV shot along with other animal husbandry things. I don’t think it hurts to put everyone on an ulcer med either for the duration of the trip.

To cross state lines you need a current coggins test that is good for 1 year. Every animal will need a coggins from the vet. Plus you will need to check if your home state and the state your traveling to is a brand inspection state. Have the brand inspector out to verify brands and ownership of the animals. Travel with all paperwork proving ownership and health. Make sure everyone has current vaccines for layover spots.

Some people keep their animals in the trailer up to a day and a half without unloading. But they give them lots of breaks parked. I think that’s pretty long time. I’d like to unload them at a layover spot every night but that’s just me.

Make sure the animals all have good bedside manners. Can handle the trailer without any drama. That also will make or break you. They should also be able to stall comfortably if outdoor pens aren’t available

Personally i think it would be a PITA but so is not being able to find a packer either. People travel cross country with livestock all the time for competition. Just would have to use the animals a lot so they’re acclimated to travel around home and go.


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