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A LIFESTYLE BLOG

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A Sheepherder's Story

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Upcoming Events

I will be speaking at the Sheepherder's Festival in Gillette, Wyoming, Friday, May 10th about our Peruvian sheepherder's: what they do, a few fun stories, and a bit about their culture and cuisine. I will also have a booth set up that Saturday to share a bit more about our sheep ranching way of life and to answer any questions. I will have my Rock Creek Watering Hole merchandise available as well. It sounds like a great time with lots of interesting stories from fellow sheep ranchers and some super neat events. If you're in the area be sure to stop by!

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Marie McClaren is a 5th generation sheep and cattle rancher for Julian Land & Livestock from Kemmerer, WY. She is very passionate about running sheep on the range, working hard, and using good dogs. 

 

Check out the blog to learn more about the lifestyle, the animals, the sheepherders, and Marie!

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SHEEPHERDER VOCABULARY

Drop herd: The main bunch of ewes, during lambing, that have yet to lamb.

Lambing: The birthing of lambs.

Shed lambing: Tending to the ewes delivering lambs in barns and corrals.

Range lambing: Tending to the ewes delivering lambs out on the range, in the sagebrush and hills. No corrals or barns. 

Hired men/sheepherders/herders: Spanish speaking Peruvians brought in on work visas that stay with the sheep herds year round.

Bum lambs: lambs without mothers that we bottle feed.

Panniers: a box or bag set that hang on either side of the pack saddle for transporting supplies.

Camp: The place where the sheepherders are residing at the time whether it be in their tent or their camp- a rounded metal sheep wagon on four wheels as pictured above.

Commissary/supply wagon: A wooden wagon, pictured above, pulled behind the camp for holding supplies such as hay, wood, corn, and dog food.

Big Range Operation: Running the sheep in herds on the range year round. Often times on public lands, such as Forest Service or BLM.

Grafting: when a lamb dies, we skin it and put that skin on a live lamb like a jacket so the ewe will claim it as hers.   

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