Photo by David dguttenfelder @dguttenfelder.
Montana sheep rancher John Helle hugs his sheep dog at an overnight camp site high in the Gravelly Mountains where the sheep would graze for the season, sharing the land with bears, wolves and other wildlife migrating from Yellowstone National Park into adjacent forests. The dog, an Akbash, stays with the sheep to protect them against attacks by wild animals.
I wonder how the hunting and fishing is?
It's not an easy life but it can be a very good life.
ReplyDeleteThe dog stays with them all season? Who feeds the dog?
ReplyDeleteThe herder will live in a sheep camp (a 4 wheel trailer) and will be supplied, every two weeks or so with goods to sustain him, including dog food. That's how it usually works.
DeleteThanks. The way it read, I thought they just left the dog there with the sheep to protect them.
DeleteWhen I worked as a transient forester in the western Rockies I'd run into those guys (one gal) way out in the back of beyond. I was always welcome in their camp even if they spoke no English. Some of them were still Basquos from the old country. They were all armed with at least a rifle. Those flocks of sheep do draw the predators.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of Basques here and in Nevada - They make great food, by the way.
DeleteI grew up in the Gravellys. fishing and hunting is awesome.
ReplyDelete