Camping off a mule?

[Dusty_Traveler]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, or if it's allowed on this forum at all, but does anyone camp off of a mule/horse for several days at a time? I'd like to get a good mule and rig to do some traditional camping/muzzleloader hunting in the mountains of Arkansas.

Admins please advise/delete as you need to.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Sounds appropriate and interesting to hear about.

 

[blackhorse]

If I were to possess a large animal again, it would be a mule for these rocky mountains

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, or if it's allowed on this forum at all, but does anyone camp off of a mule/horse for several days at a time? I'd like to get a good mule and rig to do some traditional camping/muzzleloader hunting in the mountains of Arkansas.

Admins please advise/delete as you need to.

Mules come after my chosen time period, BUT I'd love to have the land and be able to have one for riding and second for packing.
(OH before folks point out that Sumerians used mules, it's pretty well documented that in the British colonies, mules weren't introduced until post AWI)

LD

 

[woodsnwater]

I would have to go on a LOT of camping trips to make it worth taking care of a mule all year. Maybe you can rent one.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Years ago I went on a three day ride in the Fort Davis mountains of south Texas. One of the women that was with our group would have probably dressed out at 280. Her mount was the largest dang molly mule I have ever seen in my life. She might have been close to 17 hands. Anyone save for Gumby would have needed a lift from a fence rail or a rock or a step stool just to get a foot in the stirrup. I ended up behind them for a pretty precarious mile or so stretch of trail that was a sheer drop . I spent most of that stretch thoroughly enjoying watching that mule strategically decide the placement of each foot without hesitation or stumble. What a terrific animal. All of this while loaded with biggun on top and saddlebags with gear. I told myself then that if I ever got a trail ride that it would be a mule.

My younger more agile years were spent on adventure motorcycles, street legal dirtbikes on steroids. I have dirtbag camped off a motorcycle all over this country, and before that it was years in the Boy Scouts on the trails living out of a pack. I absolutely love that lifestyle. Take only what you need, pack light, go far.

As I am getting older, I am riding less motorcycles, trying to preserve my joints and tendons for future use . I still want that trail adventure, and I think that mule camping/back country hunting would be the perfect way to do so. I can finally venture off into those "No Motorized Vehicles" areas.....legally at least.

I'd like to be able to spend 3-4 days out on the trail at a time, maybe a week if the weather and conditions permit. We've always had a quarter horse or two for riding fences and working cattle, but never a trail mule. I know their anatomy and their tack are completely different and that a sane, dead broke trail mule can cost you as much or more than a couple of highly graded custom flintlocks.

If anyone has any insight, I am all ears.....big ol mule ears.

 

[Rod Man]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, or if it's allowed on this forum at all, but does anyone camp off of a mule/horse for several days at a time? I'd like to get a good mule and rig to do some traditional camping/muzzleloader hunting in the mountains of Arkansas.

Admins please advise/delete as you need to.

There are lots of trails for horses and mules along the Buffalo River. You could start at Steel Creek and ride almost to the White River. I think there is an outfitter that will drive your rig to the designated pick for a fee.

RM

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I would have to go on a LOT of camping trips to make it worth taking care of a mule all year. Maybe you can rent one.

I'm already taking care of one quarter horse and about 400 head of beeves. One more mule ain't gonna kill me.

 

[smo]

Dusty T,

It sounds like all you need too do is find you a mule!

In Tennessee , the TWRA has created horse/mule trails on some WMA’s.

However I don’t think animals are allowed during deer hunting season …

Good Luck in your mule search..

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

There are lots of trails for horses and mules along the Buffalo River. You could start at Steel Creek and ride almost to the White River. I think there is an outfitter that will drive your rig to the designated pick for a fee.

RM

The Buffalo River, Little Missouri (Albert Pike), and Cossatot River areas are my favorite places in Arkansas. Devils Den also, but alongside the rivers is where I'm at home.

 

[Rod Man]

I do not do instagram, but this fella (Clay Newcomb) looks to live in your neck of the woods,

https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb/?hl=en
or

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-newcomb-2873a928

I remembered seeing him on "Meateater" and hearing his podcast about Friedrich Gerstacker (Wild Sports in the Far West). Sounds like he would be a cool fella to know. Point is I bet he could help you out.

RM

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I do not do instagram, but this fella (Clay Newcomb) looks to live in your neck of the woods,

I remembered seeing him on "Meateater" and hearing his podcast about Friedrich Gerstacker (Wild Sports in the Far West). Sounds like he would be a cool fella to know.

RM

Thanks! I do Instagram, I'll check him out.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Dusty T,

It sounds like all you need too do is find you a mule!

In Tennessee , the TWRA has created horse/mule trails on some WMA’s.

However I don’t think animals are allowed during deer hunting season …

Good Luck in your mule search..

I hadn't even thought of that. I just looked on the Arkansas game and fish website and it reads:

Horses and riders are restricted to established trails or roads. Horses and mules are allowed only in camping areas that are designated for equestrian use. Horses in camping areas may be tied to trailers or to a highline using tree saver straps. Horses or mules may not be allowed to damage trees or other woody vegetation. Soil disturbance must be restored, manure must be scattered and excess feed, hay and any trash must be removed. Please contact the individual National Forest for specific details.

Unless otherwise noted for specific WMAs or SUAs, hunters may use horses or mules during open seasons on most WMAs or at night during furbearer season.

 

[tenngun]

In 77 packed with two donkeys from Grand Junction Colorado to Ft Bridger Wyoming. I walked
Then in ‘81 from Fort Bridger to the Tetons then south over the pass to Lander Wyoming with pack horses
I liked the donkeys better

 

[Dale Lilly]

Had horses and a burro. Burro was best pack animal by far. Dale

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

In 77 packed with two donkeys from Grand Junction Colorado to Ft Bridger Wyoming. I walked
Then in ‘81 from Fort Bridger to the Tetons then south over the pass to Lander Wyoming with pack horses
I liked the donkeys better

Now that is my kind of adventure.
Were you following a historical route, or your own?

 

[tenngun]

Own, but had topo maps

 

[user 48702]

Mules come after my chosen time period, BUT I'd love to have the land and be able to have one for riding and second for packing.
(OH before folks point out that Sumerians used mules, it's pretty well documented that in the British colonies, mules weren't introduced until post AWI)

LD

Mules might not have been introduced to the British Colonies, and colonist may have never seen one, but the Spaniards were breeding them for packing and riding. Even Hernando de Soto arrived in Florida in 1539 with a complement of mules as well as horses and jack donkeys so as to breed mules as needed. Horses, donkeys and mules were introduced to the Americas as early as 1495 by Columbus.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Mules might not have been introduced to the British Colonies, and colonist may have never seen one, but the Spaniards were breeding them for packing and riding. Even Hernando de Soto arrived in Florida in 1539 with a complement of mules as well as horses and jack donkeys so as to breed mules as needed. Horses, donkeys and mules were introduced to the Americas as early as 1495 by Columbus.

Yes that's fine, and which is why I narrowed the comment to The British Colonies, but I should've narrowed it further to British Colonies in North America. Ancient Eastern civilizations also had them.

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

Had the same idea at one time. Then I priced a pair of good mules and tack. That put an end to that idea. But, I did buy a large donkey to use for pack only. Problem was the amount of time necessary to keep broken to be lead. Pulling a 500 lb. donkey that is not interested in walking is kinda tiring. Never used him for a hunting trip. But, I did spend a lot of scouring the county looking for him after he got out of the pasture. Sold him for less than I paid. Good riddance.