Spring means sheep shearing

Gripping a Wyoming Special hand piece, the man with the gray, hooded sweatshirt and brown cap wipes the sweat from his brow as he surveys the dozens of customers waiting patiently in line.

Mike Schuldt has been in this position countless times. He steps back from his latest client and sends her on her way.

It was a windy Friday afternoon, and Schuldt was shearing sheep at the Mule Shoe Ranch in Chinook. By day's end, he would remove a year's worth of fleece from 140 sheep. The average sheep, he said, would produce 11 pounds of wool.

"The key to shearing is hold them tight and make them comfort...