I was thinking could I do a tag on a collar like for lamanchas so I don't have to actually tag anyone's ear or is that not enough? I really want to avoid tagging their ears if possible but I will if it's the only way
As far as I know, all goats who cross state lines need a
permanent form of ID, including LaManchas. LaManchas can't wear ear tags but they can be tattooed under the tail and they can be microchipped. I encourage you to call your state vet and discuss your options and from there you can decide what will work best for you.
Something I want to point out for crossing state lines is that you need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). These usually last 30 days and you have to indicate where you are going. If you plan to go to PA regularly to hike, you'll want to work out something with your vet so you don't end up paying a ton of money for inspections all the time. If your vet gets all of you and your goats' information into their system, the CVI should be very quick and easy after that. They basically just need to look over your goats, feel their lymph nodes, listen to their lungs and heart and then sign the paper. It takes my vet less than one minute per goat, and since my information is already in her system it all goes very quickly and I can get my CVI's with minimal time and expense.
The only snag is that some states are very picky about livestock travel (New Mexico comes to mind). My vet has to call the NM state vet and get a transport number from them to put on my CVI. Most states aren't like this, and if your vet knows that you are going there and then coming back, they may not be quite so picky about following ALL the rules. Unfortunately none of the current livestock transportation rules were made for packgoats. They were made with the idea in mind that most people take their goats across state lines to sell them. We work within the USDA guidelines to the best of our ability, realizing that packgoats don't always fit neatly within that framework.
So you've got your homework before spring hiking starts! 1. Talk to your state vet about getting permanent ID's for your goats and a premises ID for you. 2. Talk to your personal vet about permanent ID's (they may be able to microchip them for you) and ask about obtaining CVI's on a semi-regular basis. 3. Talk to whoever is in charge of the MD state parks and trails system about getting packgoats added to the list of allowed species.
When it comes to talking to officials, if you can give them some informational flyers about packgoats for them to read and pass around the office, it can really help pique their interest and make them more favorable to the idea. You can print out handouts from this site here:
https://www.napga.org/resources/flyers-and-handouts/
Or you can come up with something on your own!
Scheduling a "meet and greet" between public officials and your goats can also be a really positive and educational experience. Many of our public officials want, more than anything else, to see more users taking an interest in public lands and trails, and if opening spaces up to packgoats is a way to accomplish this then they may be very open to it. Often they just never thought of it before!