The following are stock-use suggestions
Kit Niemann wrote for Wilderness Watch.
She hands the list out to people who go on her Educational Day hikes
to learn about llama backing.
Suggested Criteria for Llamas & Other Stock
in the Wilderness
Kit Niemann of Kit's Llamas, kits@kits.seanet.com
I. Cleanliness and care of animals & equipment:
Brushed all stock clean of all seeds that may be in bedded in it coat
before it leaves the farm and before leaving each camp sight We do not
want foreign material to injure the animal or to replant the wilderness
Equipment, packs, cinches, brushes need to be checked for seed and
plant matter. Fibers brushed from the animals and equipment should not
be left floating in the air or on the ground (the birds and rodents don't
need it for their nests).
II. Trail and camp manners for stock:
Be courteous to the next trail user and clean your stock's feces off
the trail and around the camp, spread them, be especially careful near
water and water sources.
Do not let stock loiter in streams, creeks or wet areas (llamas wet
feet stimulates excrement)
Water stock and ford streams where banks can withstand the traffic.
Carry a collapsible bucket or other suitable container to pack water to
stock there the water supply is unsuitable for stock to enter.
Be responsible, never leave an animal unattended. Domestic stock need
to be cared for like a young child, for the safety of the animal, other
visitors, wildlife and the environment.
At night, sleep in view of your stock. Stock can get frightened, tangled
or attract predators. (Tied stock are likened to injured wildlife to predators).
Use tree savers when tying stock to trees, keep stock away from the
bark and root systems Do not tie stock to trees less then eight inches
in diameter.
When tethering out, know what is in the full radius of your tie out
line; endangered, toxic, and fragile flora, easily torn up soils, water
sources, animal homes, etc.
Clean up the camp, make a mental picture of you camp sight before you
camp and make it as good or better when you leave.
Try to move your camp each night to lessen the impact.
III. Feeds and feeding of stock and people
Feed stock in nose bags to avoid spilling. Feed only nonviable feed
stuffs. Packed in all feed needed for your stock, do not plan on the wilderness
to feed your visiting stock. Light grazing may be acceptable in some areas
and not in others.
Use (nonwood) stoves for cooking, and have candle light dinners instead
of camp fires.
IV. Education, example & monitoring:
A good safety plan should be prepared before the trip commences, it
should include environmental concern for the area as well as safety for
the people, stock and the wilderness. Practice low-impact camping.
Before you go into the wilderness study the geology, flora, fauna,
and history of the area and be aware of it's sensitivity to the visiting
humans and stock.
Honor and care for all things in the wilderness. Set a good example
and try to correct bad examples when you see them or as soon as you can.
Be a good visitor and pack in every thing you need, don't ask the wilderness
to provide it for you, and pack every thing you brought in, out with you
(including toilet paper).
Use only behavior that is compatible to the wilderness you are visiting,
encourage other visitors carefulness and discourage any and all inappropriate
behavior
V. Group sizes:
Keep groups small, and friendly--12 is a crowd.
Carefully evaluate the needed supplies to keep the stock numbers as
low as possible: on long trips try cutting out unnecessary supplies instead
of adding stock.
VI. Adding benefits:
Try to work with the land managers when ever possible.
Become a volunteer if you can.
Build a good rapport with the governing agency and other users.
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