Llamas Will Extend My Backcountry Elk Hunting Days - Randy Newberg

[@lukewarm2075]

Wow love the idea of backpacking with a llama

[@Fresh_Tracks]

As someone who just turned 55, llamas are welcome in my camp any day.

[@jackmazza5742]

I first heard about Llamas listening to Steve Rinella's brother on his podcast, I just had a lumbar spinal fusion last month and an Elk hunt has been a dream of mine recently..Kind of a bummer @ 30 but this option makes it possible. Great Information.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I hope you can do it.

[@MegaRaping]

Hey you ever get that hunt?

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

Saw the video of the elk hunt with the Lama's. He got the elk in the first minute of shooting light. My heart was pounding during that video it was awesome

[@Jim-sj2xk]

I'm 69 years of age and still in great shape (thanks to a disciplined exercise program). This year I hunted in an area in Colorado that was roadless and very difficult to hunt and although I did well physically I have concluded that in future years I will hunt with horses. I won't hunt off the horse but I will use the horse to get to where I want to go. Since I haven't rode horses in a long time there will be a learning curve, but if it extends my time in the woods then that's great. Randy since you are not getting in younger my recommendation is to use them whenever you can.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Thanks. I intend to do just that. Good luck to you.

[@Jim-sj2xk]

I'm glad you have made this decision. I'm also a CPA (retired) and honestly wish I would have considered using horses (especially for back country hunts) sooner. I will never quit exercising but the aging process does slow you down.....this way I hope to be hunting well into my early 80's. I hope you do as well!

[@H.E.PennyPackr]

I'm actually really surprised to hear myself say this, but I think I'm going to pull the trigger on these for my Utah elk hunt this fall. Should be a great week in the woods. Thanks for shedding more light on this, Randy, and helping those of us without pack-animal experience feel comfortable that we could handle them.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

You will be amazed at what well trained pack llamas can do. Good luck.

[@rbljackson]

great stuff randy. Would enjoy hearing more details in an upcoming podcast sometime when you can dedicate more time to the details of everything! I am intrigued for sure.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

We're working on a podcast with that content.

[@PalmSandsRanch]

Great info Randy, thanks so much, is definitely a game changer, especially for me and my two back surgeries. The days of a 60-80 lb pack are over for me. Plan on bow hunting well into my 60’s and rifle hopefully in my 70’s.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Hope you do it. Take care of your back.

[@hunt4fish]

Pretty neat Randy. they seem very docile and quiet. That one reminds me of my lab Maggie whining a little bit on the low side just to say I'm here what do you want me to do. THink that is a great idea and will catch on 4 sure.....feel 10 yrs younger already

[@Marlor_Mining]

Beau is da man!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

For sure.

[@randyhelgeson1254]

Also. Since I am not a major Hunter yet. There's a possibility that I'll never be a major Hunter. So would it be more beneficial just the rent the llamas?

[@randyhelgeson1254]

Hey Randy. You mentioned that there's different types of llamas which llama is the best for this type of thing? It might be beneficial for me to get into it because I'm right next to a national park. Maybe the Rangers would help out or I could help them out. In-between times.

[@TheSchmuel]

Im just wondering out loud here... Will Llamas behave around a good horse or Mule? Wouldn't it be nice to ride in on a horse or Mule and lead 2 Llamas behind? Id be able to hunt until I die. My kids could lift me onto the horse at the trailhead and I can just roll off into a bush once I get to my destination...

[@Fresh_Tracks]

You might be on to something there.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

Hey Samuel Rogers- My sister and I tried this idea elk hunting this year. The llamas and horses spent a week or so together before the hunt. I think keeping them in close quarters helped this be a success.

[@TheSchmuel]

Thanks for the reply. Im looking into Llamas!

[@fayte9917]

Hey randy, I’m a 15 year old hunter in Illinois and I was wondering how in the world you managed to afford all these amazing trips, I would love to hunt big game when I’m older but I need to know what the average price is for a trip to a place like Montana or Idaho. Thanks

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Get the best education you can and have a career that allows for good pay and plenty of flexibility in your calendar and you can make it happen if that is your priority. I am a CPA in my other life and that is what allows me to do what you see us do in our videos.

[@TW0T0NGUE]

I second Randy's advice, i plan on becoming an Engineer, and I am just about done with my undergraduate studies, and here I am, daydreaming of the years to come of hunting and not having to worry about money. Of course, do what you love, and if hunting is the one true thing you love, you could become a hunting guide/outfitter (sort of what like Baeu is doing), and not have to necessarily go into the top-tier fields of finance/engineering/computer science/etc (if you don't like them).

[@iddddaduncan]

Listen to Randy,education and a good job are important to being able to afford trips like this.You can come out west and hunt on your own,no need to pay for a guided trip to have a great time.

[@honingoutdoors4754]

I have a cousin who has an avid opinion that goats are the way to go. I am not settled on either yet. I would love to hear peoples take on the differences, advantages and disadvantages between the two. Would love to get Randy's opinion if if he responds to comments.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Goats are not allowed in some areas, due to concern over possible disease transmission with wild sheep. For me, the ratio of weight to animal numbers make the llama a great option. These llamas can carry 100#. And, they are as low maintenance as goats. Some will prefer goats, as they are easier to transport. I'm a llama guy.

[@kaydencontracting]

Great video thank you

[@rebelzuk]

Are these affordable for the common hunter or is this a luxury more suited for high end clients? Great video again Randy, love watching your adventures.

[@pokerman9108]

looks like they start at 55 to 75 a day each. wildernessridgetrailllamas.com/rent-llamas-pricing not to bad really.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Very affordable, especially when considered against other options.

[@rebelzuk]

oh that's very affordable indeed and allows you to hunt so much easier

[@JM-rt8po]

Randy, do you know if Beau’s outfit sells llamas? Preferably baby llamas.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I don't think so, but you would have to contact them and ask.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

Hey Joel- We do sell llamas. We sell about 6-8 per year. In the next few years we will begin to sell more and more each year as our herd grows.

[@JM-rt8po]

Thanks, I look forward to contacting you guys

[@itypefaster]

Randy, thanks for the information, and the great hunting videos, did he mention any type of terrain they are not suited for, like an Alaskan moose or caribou hunt?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

He made no mention of terrain they can't handle. In conversation, Beau told some stories of some amazing places he has taken these llamas, surprising me that llamas could handle those places.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

Joel- My only concern with taking llamas to Alaska would be the tundra and boggy type country. Wild animals usually cover the ground well because they know where to go and where not to go. Additionally I believe their hooves are adequate size with enough surface area they can handle the soft terrain. I believe llamas to be built the same way, the only exception is adding the pack weight on top of their body weight. This may make them sink in soft ground more than native wildlife to that area. Anyway food for thought. Great question.

[@gettosurfer]

Is there a pack llama association? I looked on their website and they don't travel to Colorado. Would they be inclined to refer a recommended pack llama outfitter?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I'm not sure of the answer to any of those.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

gettosurfer- There are a few different pack associations. One is the North America Ccara Association (NACA), the other is the Pack Llama Trial Association (PLTA). We know of 3 great outfits in Colorado that rent llamas and sell llamas. Buckhorn Llamas, Redwood Llamas and Crooked Wood Outfitters.

[@2330Bossert]

They might have a problem with timber wolves.

[@FluffyBuzzard2TheMax]

I would doubt that, llamas are mean bastards

[@pokerman9108]

90 lbs each but two can pack an elk out?

[@PalmSandsRanch]

PokerMan 80-100lbs, deboned sounds about right. Goats work well too, up to about 70-75lbs on a big goat.

[@pokerman9108]

200lbs elk... don't sound right to me. maybe a de-boned small one. Non the less still cool, just don't see them packing an elk on two. I could be wrong. We use mules. our elk normally hit at least 260 in meat and about 30 to 50 for the head.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

These two llamas did it; fully boned and trimmed with the antlers only on a skull cap, not the entire head.

[@pokerman9108]

Impressive!

[@pequenojohnny1422]

Yoooooo, im grinding for those, I need 1k tickets for a Birthday one. Last tim I knifed a llama she got me a Buzzcut

[@SnoopReddogg]

Damn it, passed up on today, $90.

[@alexniapas9243]

How sure footed are the in steep rugged trails?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Super sure-footed. More so than horses.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

Alex Niapas- Llamas have a split toe and a softer pad that allow for great traction in most terrain. Many times we have taken llamas to places that horsemen have told us we were crazy. They do not do well on ice or boulder fields with big rocks.

[@huntthetop]

We used some of Beau's llamas earlier this month. I have to say they were nothin short of exceptional. They 100 percent allowed us to stay longer, hunt harder and go farther. Check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/anXJgYCBiqZnl9E

[@Fresh_Tracks]

They are amazing.

[@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971]

Thanks for the shout out guys. Loved the video you did a great job documenting your trip. I hope you continue to get your hunts and adventures on film.

[@ArcticGator]

Wouldn't Alpackas be better? :P

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Nope. They are smaller, carry less, and are not as hardy.

[@angelgreen3532]

Goats are better. Smaller, but carry just as much. You don't bring ANY food for them, because they do their own foraging at camp. You also don't have to bring any water for them. You don't have to keep them on any sort of lead, because they naturally follow. They're smarter and easier to train, and will go longer distances, and are better at navigating obstacles.