Winter Range Sheepherders

Job description

Under extreme and changing drought conditions:

Using horses, trained dogs, and motorcycles, single herder tends large flock of sheep on open range in the winter; moves sheep to and about areas assigned for grazing; prevents animals from wandering or becoming lost; rounds up strays; beds down sheep near campsite at night; guards flock against predators and from eating poisonous plants. Assist with supplemental feed of sheep using wagon pulled by draft horses; cares for dogs and horses; shoeing horses; examine animals for signs of illness/injury and apply medication/treatment. May repair/construct fences. As needed, repairs tack and other equipment used by worker. May assist with water pipeline delivery systems using related equipment to control water supply to ensure sheep do not become trapped in ice, snow, or mud and have adequate water supply.

Lives in isolated mobile camps and performs following tasks almost exclusively out on desert range to protect pregnant sheep from harsh winter conditions: trail groups of pregnant sheep to areas designated by the employer and employer-designated representative using winter trailing methods to avoid undue stress on sheep; prevent hypothermia/abortion/death; move sheep at a pace/distance sufficient to ensure they receive ample water/native forage during daylight hours to arrive at natural shelters by nightfall to protect sheep during blizzards/high winds/extreme cold, ride unmarked perimeters of open range area designated by the employer and employer-designated representative.

Keep sheep in small groups to allow grazing on proper mix of native forage, gradually herd sheep in direction specified by the employer and employer-designated representative using methods which move sheep slowly & orderly through desert ravines/washed out areas/tall sagebrush, avoiding deep snow, herd/trail sheep to a viable water source, use ax to chop large holes in frozen creeks/reservoirs to water 20-30 sheep at a time, trail pregnant sheep across ice to water sources or to native forage area by choosing safe crossing area; making a sanded trail; keeping sheep calm & moving in slow orderly manner on trail. Report to the employer and employer-designated representative on water/native forage/weather conditions, detect direction from which wind or prevailing storm is coming to prevent sheep from scattering, trail/herd sheep & properly place them in shelters/direction of wind/prevailing storm, in canyons, washed out or cut banks, cedar breaks, or draws with tall sagebrush.

Special Requirements

Three months prior experience as a sheepherder in the winter/cold climate and mountainous terrain, including breeding sheep and experience with early term pregnant ewes. Experience with duties described in this job order and one satisfactory reference are required. (If the worker's experience as a sheepherder has not been in the immediately preceding 12 months, up to two references will be required.)