Any horseback hunters/campers?

Me riding a horse would be Cruel to the animal lol, look like fun tho.

If I am on horseback, it is most likely because cows are out.
Otherwise, parades and rodeos

If I was out West, it would be a great trip that I would love to participate in.

Mules are even better. And smarter….

wvfarrier said:

The wife and I spend as much time horseback as possible. This was my first year in probably a decade of using a horse to pack in and out of my bear camp. I had forgotten how much i enjoyed it. Anyone else?

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I spent about 15 years on a Sheriff's mounted SAR posse in the Sierra, plus many pack trips. Some of the best times of my life!

I've not learned to ride yet. But I'm certainly interested in learning all aspects of horsemanship and then employing it in hunting and camping. Problem is, I don't know anyone willing to teach me to ride and care for horses.

Shyster crook horse traders?

Surely you jest!



Bazoo
Nobody teaching horsemanship in KY?
Look on CL. Go to your local Tractor Supply or Farm/Ranch store. Look on the bullet in board
(they all have one)
Put you an ad on the bulletin board.
Hang out where horses and riders are.

Love my horses and trail riding. Not big on pack in camping these days. Haven't had the tents up in probably 8 years now. Sticking with the weekender is more our style. Getting soft and really like having lights, heat/ac, running water, and a real bed. Seems like more of the places we ride are getting covered up in e-bikes even miles back from the trailheads.

H&Hhunter said:

If I could find a good saddle mule for a reasonable price I’d give one a try. The issues with mules for me are, I don’t know enough about them to make a good purchase, there are a bunch shysters and crooks in the mule world that will be happy to sell you a time bomb, and while mules are definitely superior to horses in rough country I’m not sure that I’m ready to re gear and re tool into mules from horses.

Note:
There are plenty of shysters and crooks in the horse world too but I’ve got enough time and experience with horses to know how to avoid them for the most part.

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My Daughter joined a face book group dedicated to Mules and got hers free although an older Mule (Ohsee by name) was quite gentle with the kids and very partial to Alay the older horse, as an example of intelligence one night we had a thunder storm that upset Alay to the point she left the ranch wondering through trees eventually ending up at the neighbors ranch while in contrast the mule came up to the house and started bawling the we had a problem that needed attention. Pretty smart Mule…
I also have a saying that while we have several dogs they will bark at most anything but when the Mule starts hollering ‘it’s time to grab a rifle and head out to the barn.

There are places you can pay a nice fee to learn. What I really want is an old timer to show me how.

Never done it, but it sounds like it could be quite the experience.

I've seen a few guys hunting on horseback on some of the larger public hunting areas here in GA. Most walk in on foot and bring a mule or horse (I've even seen Llama's) to use as pack animals for gear and to get meat out.

Several years ago, one week before my favorite Management area opened, my wife and I drove up to hike a trail and get in some scouting. There were several trucks and stock trailers parked along the road near the trailhead. The guys were just unloading and saddling up when we walked in. But on my way out I met them on the trail. There were 4 guys on horseback and each of them were leading a string of 4 mules carrying gear. Twenty animals total. It was quite the sight.

The next week while hunting I found their camp. They had ridden in a week early, set up a very elaborate camp and left it. They came back a week later with just the horses along with some other guys who walked in. At the end of the hunt someone else brought the mules to pack everything out along with at least 2 bear. I camped near the trailhead and walked in each day.

That's got to be a lot of work, but they were camping in style in a wilderness area.

We used to take people out for a week at a time.

It's a great way to live.

Bazoo said:

There are places you can pay a nice fee to learn. What I really want is an old timer to show me how.

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Lots of old retired rodeo guys out there making a living teaching riding, its not very expensive for a few sessions...TIP: Wear a adult diaper for the first few riding sessions, your behind will thank you...

wvfarrier said:

I agree mules are better in rough country but I would still take a good horse anyday.
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Nice Looking Horse’ I think the Mules are happy just following the line and chillin out.

I wish I had the time.

I ride a fair bit recreationally and pack hunting is the best way to elk hunt in my opinion. A string of horses is a significant barrier to entry for most hunters and riding in-packing out will indeed get you to where the wild things live. Have done more horse camping and fishing, but same idea.

Here in Co you have to pack Horse Feed.

Horse Feed

You must use certified weed-free hay on BLM and USFS land. For a list of providers, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture (303-239-4149). Hay is not allowed in any wilderness area so you must substitute with certified weed free alfalfa cubes or pellets. Horses should be fed any of the above for at least 4 days prior to entering BLM or national forests so as to have weed-free manure.

H&Hhunter said:

That’s not just in Colorado, the weed free requirement is on any BLM, National Forest nation wide.

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My post was about Co.