58th Buffalo Roundup takes center stage at Custer State Park

As the first light of day cast brilliant hues of fall over the hills of Custer State Park, approximately 1,400 bison began their rumble across the terrain.

A crowd of about 20,000 spectators, gathered in anticipation, watched the treasured sight of the stampeding bison. Driven by a cadre of horseback riders and trucks, this marked the commencement of the 58th annual Governor's Buffalo Roundup.

Many traveled great distances to witness the iconic event.

Tom McKenna, soon relocating to the Black Hills from Los Angeles, California, was among those who experienced the roundup for the first time.

"We've visited the area a few times over the years," McKenna said. "Just the other night, we got an up-close look as the buffalo were moving into the pens. It's really impressive to see."

Diana Pruett of Clarksdale, Mississippi, also marked her first roundup attendance, a special trip made even more memorable as it was a birthday gift from her husband.

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"This trip was my birthday present," Pruett said. "We've been to Custer State Park three times. The first visit was accidental, but we fell in love with the place and keep returning."

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Department of Game, Fish & Parks Secretary Kevin Robling, Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder, and Department of Tourism Secretary James Hagen were among the notable attendees at the event.

Conservation at its heart

The ritual, as Lydia Austin, Custer State Park's Visitor Services Coordinator, pointed out, is not merely a tradition.

“Every year at this time of year we'll round up the entire herd and push them to the southeast corner. Friday, we push them into the corral system or we'll start working the animals for the yearly check. And at this time, we'll vaccinate and sort out any that we're going to auction off in November,” Austin said.

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While the event draws thousands annually, its primary objective lies in the conservation and management of the herd. Custer State Park sprawls across 71,000 acres, all part of a closed system that caters to more than just bison. Austin mentioned the need to maintain the park's ecological balance, which sustains various species.

“Not only the buffalo, but elk, pronghorn deer, prairie dogs, all of them use this land. We want to maintain the healthiness of it. So it all factors in and we keep the numbers at the right levels to make sure that we're maintaining healthy grasslands,” Austin said.

The choice of September for this event, according to Jim Straight, distract park supervisor, is rooted in history and yet also caters to nature. Beyond the allure of fall's vibrant colors, the month is also the time when cows begin to wean their calves. It’s a natural calendar that syncs perfectly with the event, and the public auction that follows in fall.

“It's the best natural time for it. The fall colors don't hurt either,” Straight said.

Tradition on horseback

Using horses in the roundup serves a dual purpose: paying homage to traditional methods while ensuring efficiency. Straight, amidst his 15 years of experience of riding in the roundup, observes that riders on horseback have more "nostalgic and aesthetic" than watching modern methods like helicopters herding the buffalo. Austin added that horses can navigate areas inaccessible to trucks and UTVs, making them crucial to the roundup's success.

Discussing the intricacies of riding during the roundup, Straight underscored the importance of riders understanding their horses and buffalo behavior. With around 60 riders participating, including 20 core riders familiar with the herd, the selection process is rigorous. An orientation ride precedes the event, introducing the horses to the buffalo and ensuring riders can handle the challenges ahead.

According to Straight, communication is key, and all involved need to remain vigilant, ensuring the event proceeds without any mishaps as safety of riders and animals is considered a top priority.

"Safety is obviously one of our biggest priorities," Straight said.

Looking at the herd and the road ahead

Austin revealed that this year's herd was robust, with a higher number of births. She anticipates that the park will auction off about 500 animals in November. After the roundup, the animals face a series of procedures in the chutes, including vaccination, testing and branding. This year, in a nod to the state and the current year, calves received a “3” [for 2023] and “S” [for South Dakota] brand.

The selection process for the auction aims to mimic nature to ensure genetic diversity, Austin explained. Animals not chosen for auction are reintroduced to the herd, ensuring family units are maintained.

"We select them in a variety of ways. We want to try to mimic nature as much as we possibly can. Just to give that variety and the genetic variety in there," Austin said. "We do have certain quotas we try to fill with age groups and such to have a robust auction that we want folks to come to."

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A cultural extravaganza

Coinciding with the roundup is the park's 30th Annual Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival. According to Austin, the event began in the '90s as a way to promote the roundup and has since grown exponentially, now boasting over 160 tents.

"It's one of our larger events, featuring food, crafts and activities. We have bands performing and a variety of foods available. It's truly a big event," Austin said.

The festival, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, celebrates the rich tapestry of local culture, from crafts and food to music and entertainment.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 58th Buffalo Roundup takes center stage at Custer State Park