Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 38 sagebrush. The wind has picked up, howling so loud that it is impossible to hear the sheep bleating to one. Armando, we soon learn, has taken his own route; he has gone up another ridge to the north of us, so we run to catch up to him. He sees us and gives us a wave while his guard dogs bark a warning all while wag- ging their tails at us. Armando's style and attitude are a mix of modern with an older traditional flair. His hat is black around the edges, curled up and frayed; his vest and blue jeans are stylish; He is quick to laugh but has a soft-spoken calmness to himself I can only attribute to years of solitude and living among his coworkers and partners: three herding dogs, two guard dogs and two horses that are friendly and always looking for treats from us. As we step in behind the sheep we hear Armando's high-pitched whistles and watch one of the dogs run towards a stray sheep and nip at its back heel. The sheep is quick to turn and get back in line, and the dog happily darts off to do another task. The guard dogs saunter along in the back or to the sides watching for any threat. As we are following Armando, I catch him speaking softly to his horses, Jake and Cricket, in Spanish. Every so often he will walk alongside his horse and stop to make sure the dogs are doing well and give them some attention. They need each other out here. As we are making our way back to camp, Mike and I talk about the impact that herding sheep has had on the land. Mike tells me that the sheep help to maintain healthy growth and mitigate the proliferation of noxious weeds such as larkspur. Evan later adds that they pro- vide healthy habitat for all the wild game that take the same "annual trail" or migration that their sheep take from valley floor to mountain plateau. It all has a function and is all linked together for each to thrive. It is my last day. Mike and Evan have already left camp and I am alone to pack up my belong- ings slowly and reflect. This landscape, this simple way of life, with no outside distractions, grows on you quickly. There may be a few mod- ern touches to make their job marginally easier, but generally speaking these shepherds live very much as shepherds in Montana always have. Herding is not just a way of life for them. They are also keeping this icon of Montana, vital and yet too often ignored, alive and well for generations to come. On a personal note, I would like to thank the Helle family for giving me access into their lives and for their hospitality out on the range; Mike for the company and conversations; and to Armando for putting up with my terrible Spanish. Evan and his canine friend, Paisley

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