Family-Outdoors

CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D.  – Custer State Park rangers responded to two incidents recently regarding visitors getting too close to the bison. In the first incident, the visitor fell and escaped further injury from the bison. The second incident with a different visitor resulted in a laceration to the leg. That individual was transported to Rapid City for medical attention. “Visitors need to know that buffalo are dangerous and should not be approached. These large animals may appear docile, but they are wild and unpredictable. The safest place to view them is from a vehicle,” stated Lydia Austin, interpretive program manager for Custer State Park.  Park rangers are currently investigating both incidents.

Buffalo inside Custer State Park. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – More than 14,000 people attended the 49th annual Buffalo Roundup on Sept. 26 at Custer State Park, matching crowd records from the previous six years. “This has grown to an awesome event, and we are happy to share a little piece of the Old West with those guests who come from around the world to witness it,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor service coordinator at Custer State Park. Pugsley a 37-year veteran of the Buffalo Roundup remembers his first roundup when about 200 visitors watched in awe as the Buffalo were driven across the prairie and into the corrals.  “For many of our guests it truly is a once in a life time opportunity and we hear over and over, ‘this was on my bucket list.’ It is an event that rekindles people’s passion and interest in the American West,” Pugsley noted.    Today a lot more planning goes into organizing the event which now includes the Buffalo Roundu...