Sheepherding in the West dates back to late1800s, and early 1900s when people migrated to California, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho in search of gold and silver. People soon realized (the Basques in particular) that while prospecting for gold and silver was a lucrative business, wealth realized from prospecting was unsteady and uncertain. A more reliable trade developed in clothing and feeding the gold and silver miners.
According to the University of Nevada, Sheep are resilient in harsh weather conditions and are capable of covering great distances while grazing. Nevada in particular provides an ideal opportunity with vast public lands and low start-up costs for building a herd. In fact, several early sheepherders accepted payment in sheep allowing them to build their own herd while they worked.
The industry, like all others, has overcome rises and falls. Overgrazing, scarcity of water, and conflicts between ranchers and graziers arose. Further, nomadic sheepherding could be a painfully lonesome lifestyle, moving to new grounds each day, and only seeing a camp tender maybe once a week or perhaps only a few times a month in the winter.
While the industry may have changed over the years, sheep herding continues to flourish in the western United States! This photo depicts shipping day in Ridgecrest, California!
For more information on sheepherding, please check out the multimedia exhibit created by University of Nevada at http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/sheepherders/default.aspx.
