Montana range sheep

One of the reasons I went to graduate school in Montana was because I wanted exposure to the range sheep industry. It was so different from the sheep industry in the Mid Atlantic states. Montana State University was doing research that interested me and offered me an assistantship, so my dream came true. While I was there, I got the chance to work at a local sheep ranch (John Paugh). The ranch ran several thousand ewes, mostly Targhee. 

A beautiful place to graze

Sheep grazing

Big Sky Country

The sheep (ewes and lambs) grazed summer range, a mix of public and railroad lands. One day we went up to visit the sheep camp. They had a herder and everything. It was an amazing day, a real "eye opener" for an easterner. I'll never forget the crazy (nail-biting) ride up the mountain.

The range

Purple lupine

Mountain pasture

Targhee was (probably still is) the breed of choice for Montana ranchers. They are a dual purpose breed that was developed in the 1920's by USDA. Ironically, my Master's research involved Rambouillet ewes (n=300). The Targhee is a cross derived from the Rambouillet. One of the difference between western range ewes and breeds more common to the East is their inclination to stay together. They have a very strong flocking instinct. It's this gregarious behavior that protects them from predators, along with the presence of herders and guardian dogs. It was so cool to see 1000 ewes and their lambs (a band) move as one.

Move as one

Stick together like glue

Targhee ewes

Father and son

Mrs. Paugh

Letting the sheep back out

Old barn

The home ranch was in Bozeman, on the way to the university. I lived in nearby Belgrade. I got a job there helping during lambing season. I learned and earned.

Home ranch

John Paugh was very active in the Montana and US sheep industry. I saw him once or twice in later years at the ASI convention. I don't know that he recognized me. He passed away in 2015. His son still runs the ranch.

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Post created 13 June 2026

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