47th annual Buffalo Roundup goes off without a hitch - KOTA Territory News

47th annual Buffalo Roundup goes off without a hitch

It's what Custer State Park now uses to manage the buffalo population, but it's turned into a massive tourist attraction.

It's become a popular fall tradition. Nearly 15- thousand people made the trek to the 47th annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup.

While this year went off without a hitch, there were a few extra precautions taken to ensure everyone's safety.

The Buffalo Roundup is exciting for everyone.

"Our horses get very amped up. They're ready to do their job," said Herder Jennifer Tietsort.

"He sees them buffalo a mile away, and he was ready to run," said Herder Lee Rude.

About 60 riders team up to herd close to one thousand buffalo.

"It's a gentle rush, it's fun, it's different, and it isn't like trail riding," said Rude.

All in all the riders say this year went pretty smooth.

"This is the smoothest round up I've been on since I started, it was really quick the animals moved really well," said Tietsort.

"The buffalo were pretty spread out, but they moved pretty well. It was pretty dusty our there so we wanted to go as easy as we could with them," said Brundige.

Dust from the lack of rain. Gary Brundige with Custer State Park says they took extra precautions this year with the extremely dry conditions.

"The fire danger is really high and we had a few fire starts in the past. So we had plenty of resources here. We had at least two and a half times the amount of fire protection then we did last year," said Brundige.

Another difference from last year - possibly larger crowds.

"I think the crowds get bigger every year. We mowed a lot more parking lots this year and it looked like it was pretty full," said Brundige.

As the crowds watch from a far the herders 'round up' the buffalo.

They kind of have an idea of where they want to go, but it's not always the way we want them to go," said Tietsort.

Into the corrals and ready for their check-ups, before heading back into the park.

Like every year, the buffalo are branded, tested for pregnancy, and vaccinated. Then they are sorted off for sale.

And after a week or so, the buffalo that won't head to auction, are released back into the park.