Can someone enlighten me on burros??

[2ndhound]

Dont laugh too hard people, this is just something Ive been pondering, Im no kinda hand with livestock at all, That being said Ive been wondering if a burro would pack my junk around? The older I get the heavier the backpack gets, Ive lightened the pack as much as I dare, I spend alot of time in the desert on foot so dog water is becoming a concern, Some stuff I should be carrying is starting to get left behind in favor of a lighter pack, Not to the point of stupidity but enough to get me thinking, So I was wondering if a burro would work for packing stuff, Do they lead around pretty good (broad question I know) or do they like to fight a guy every inch of the way? I can still cruise a a good ways without my pack on, But with it not so far anymore. Also how much weight can a typical sized burro handle?? Or am I defeating my purpose cause then I would be adding burro water into the mix? any thoughts on this, Thanks Ken

[Conejos]

You might want to think about a couple of goats. I saw a guy one time up in the wilderness with some goats and they both packed about 40lbs and just followed him around like dogs. I laughed but at the same time I thought damn why didn't I think of that!LOL

[switzie]

When my brother and i use to camp we used are dogs to pack stuff. Thay do make nice dog packs now for them. May not want to put them on one you are hunting.

[Brady Davis]

IMO I'd avoid regular old burros. I'd get a small mule if that's what your looking for but to each his own.

[007pennpal]

If you are just going to use them to pack, then I'd get a donkey. They are real friendly and in your back pocket. However, I'd suggest a horse so you can ride it. Donkey's are a rough ride. I wouldn't suggest a mule for a novice rider. If you really want to look cool get a couple minature camels for your dry land hunting. They'd almost fit in the dog box. Be warned, whatever you get may not like what you tree/bay. So hold on.
Sean

[shoot4fur]

what ever you decide just dont get a dumb ass

[2ndhound]

Thanks for the replys, Conejos I never heard of or even thought of using goats before,very interesting idea, Now Im doing the same thing as you did, dang why didnt I think of that? a buddy of mine tried to give me 2 goats for free last week. and of course I chuckled and said what the heck would I do with a couple goats?? Switze using the hounds is not an option but thanks for the idea, Brady Davis any particular reason to avoid donkeys??and 007penpal, Im not a cool kinda guy although mini camels might fit my needs, never knew there was such a critter, Im not looking to ride a critter just use it as a pack animal without too much trouble, I got a real nice invite to go along on a horseback or muleback lion hunting trip with a friend of mine, So I slinked off to another non hunting buddies place and tried riding around on his stock to see if I could hold up..Well no dice there, My ol hips are pretty much shot out after a lifetime of hunting, only been behind hounds for 4yrs now, But spent my life in walking the hills after various game. Im no where near ready to give up on the hounds its way to important to me, Im just trying to figure a way to make it a hair easier on my old body is all. I dont care all that much for coming back to camp when I find one of those spots that need more exploring before dark thirty, I miss being able to carry enough junk to make camp and stay a day or two if need be, I know some of you young guys are thinking you will never get that dang old, But believe me its coming for you too.That was the point of this post, Im looking for ideas is all, I have nothing at all against cruising down the road and finding tracks to follow but most of the time I need a little more, Its not so much that I think I will do better in the back country game wise, Its more the quality of the time I spend out there with my dogs. Hard to explain what Im trying to say but most of you know what I mean. sorry for the novel I was just looking for options Thanks for the ideas Ken

[pegleg]

theres no real reason a burro wouldn't work for you they are damn mobile and can pack enough to make you wonder if they arent part ant. a friendly burro is a breaze to lead and will follow you pretty easy with no prodding. others may fight you tooth and nail the whole way. but most make very good pack animals and don't eat much at all. i'd say anyone who can get a hound to do what they want should be able to get a burro to pack. you could carry enough gear to spend a few nights out if you so desired. burros also don't drink all that much. another plus is you can pick them up from free to about fifty bucks there's also smaller versions of them as well i've seen some that would fit in my dog box well enough.

[2ndhound]

Thanks pegleg, Sounds like you have been around the little buggers a bit. Sounds like one of those would work for me, Do they need to be shod ?

[LCK]

Ken, there have been thousands of burros used for thousands of years doing exactly what you need. That, in a nut shell is what they do best. Dang fine idea! I don't think it would be difficult at all finding a real nice young burro who is already people friendly. There are tons of burro rescue groups around the country trying to find good homes for em. No doubt in my mind, with the right animal, I can help you get him/her following you around like a hungry pup.

Need to start looking for the right pack equipment. I have a trailer, let me know when your ready, I would like to help.

[2ndhound]

Lck, Thanks for the offer my friend, I hope to be taking you up on that soon. Ive been looking around all morning at donkeys and equipment, seems like alot of it is sorta custom fit to the individual animal due to the big size difference from one to another, There are a few dvds and books available on making panniers & pack saddles for donkeys, Problem is that you need the donkey to get the measurements, I suppose a fellow could scrounge up the materials ahead of time so that if a donkey came along a guy wouldnt waste alot of time doing that part, Lotsa new stuff to learn but I like learning anyway, Im excited to give it a try...Thanks to all Ken

[Hagerman]

I used to be married to a gorilla. If you can put up with her awful cooking you might be able to talk her into carring some of that stuff, especiallyt if she thought she might be able to get a house or your life savings out of it.
Seriously though, I think a small standard or standard donkey would work.
Don't eat much and easy to take care of. I have mammoths but they are a bit much for just packing a little gear. If you want the pet gorillas number though, I can get it for you.

[2ndhound]

Well thanks for the offer Hagerman, I never got along well with gorillas myself, I was more of a coyote man, Same result though no house or life savings, Darn wild animals, I finally settled on a more domesticated type critter and been happy ever since, This one can cook to boot, Im still looking around at donkeys and equipment, and you are correct IMHO a mammoth would be overkill for what I have in mind, I wasnt aware that they came in XXL sizes, Some of the ones I checked out were mule size almost, Take care Ken

[pegleg]

i doubt shoes would be required they stand up real well. I would look for a youngster or a very gentle and handled older one stay away from rope burns as this can cause them to display some self protective behaviors that make it a issue to handle them. the good thing about a burro is it's hard to get on his bad side, once you do though it's a done relationship. if you keep haveing a hard time finding one pm me and i'll try and help.

[2ndhound]

Thanks for the kind offer pegleg, If I dont find anything I will PM you and see what you found. LCK is sorta on the trail with me so if we can get one treed it will be nice, if not I may try arizona drygrounding with you. I dont know the lingo yet but by rope burns I assume that you are refering to a donkey that has a rough start in life?? any tell tale signs that a newbie should be able to spot? I hope to be able to have a person along with me who knows something about burros before I commit to the purchase, Im still way back on the hunt for panels and shade and food ect.. I hope to find a local vet that knows his stuff about donkeys, well you get the drift Im still in the planning stage but I plan to suceed in the end, If I run into too many snags locally I will contact you and see what you found, Thanks again for the offer Ken