HANDLING SHEEP ON THE RANGE 157 



are generally cut into bands of from 1,500 to 2,500 head, 

 the size of course depending upon the range. If it is rough 

 and broken, a band of 1,250 ewes and their lambs is all 

 one herder can safely handle without losses from cuts. 

 On the average ranges in the western mountains, a 

 good herder can care for 2,500 dry sheep or wethers, 

 but in a country cut up by canyons and broken areas 

 he should not have more than can be grazed under his 



A Herder Can Look After Many More Sheep On An Open Range Than On a 

 Broken Range. 



eye at all times. On the winter ranges, which are 

 mostly on the open deserts, good herders successfully 

 handle as many as 3,000. 



With each outfit is a camp rustler, or tender, who 

 goes ahead of the sheep, picks out a camping place, 

 keeps the camp stocked with food and supplies, leaving 

 the herder free to look after his sheep. Where one 

 owner has several bands one rustler can take care of 

 more than one. 



Bedding Down at Night. The sheep are seldom cor- 

 ralled at night, being simply bedded down near camp. 

 Thus handled they are much less liable to loss from 

 smothering in wild senseless stampedes during the 

 night. Wild animals also cannot do as much dam- 



