We arrived at French Creek campground in Custer South Dakota on Thursday Sept. 29. Connie, our sister-in-law arrived about 4:30.  We rested that night and made plans for the big day on Friday.  The Custer State park buffalo round-up!  After getting the low down from the campground owner we decided to leave for the park at 6AM.  As many as 15,000 people attend this event every year. We joined the throng of people in line winding our way through the park not really knowing where we were going.  The line of cars finally came to a standstill and inched along for 45 minutes until we reached the hill overlooking the herd several miles away.  The event is very well-organized with an army of volunteers helping to park vehicles on the hill-side. There was a huge food tent set up where coffee and a pancake breakfast was being served.  The lines were long for food and the porta- jons!

Pancake breakfast anyone?

There were many colorful characters including the one below.

Buffalo Bill Cody look-alike

South Viewing area

From our vantage point we looked at the South Viewing area. {Photo above} The cowboys and round-up vehicles came from behind that area and encircled the herd of about 1300 buffalo two miles away and started driving them towards us.

Buffalo headed our way!

As the herd and riders got closer we could hear the snap of the whips and reins as the cowboys pushed the animals toward us, heard in the video below.

The buffalo finally thundered past us on their way to their next huge holding pen. The purpose of the drive is to tag the newborns and vet check each animal.  They draw blood, give shots, do a fecal exam and an ultrasound to determine pregnancy on each female.

The wranglers move individual buffalo into position in the chute.  Then each one is held in place with a mechanical collar while the vets do their work.

YUK!  This is the part that made our daughter Lindsay not want to be a vet!

Each animal was released no worse for wear but happy to rejoin the herd.

Safe to pet this one

Had enough of that!

In the huge enclosure waiting their turn for the chute, each animal enjoyed hay and each other’s company.

We ended our round-up experience by eating a chuck-wagon dinner and walking past the huge animals one last time on our way to the car.  Custer State Park held an amazing event enjoyed by young and old.  We talked to some people who make attending it an annual event.