Buffalo roundup is a step into the past for spectators

By Andrea J. Cook, Journal staff | Monday, October 01, 2007

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CUSTER STATE PARK -- Cheers erupted from the more than 11,000 onlookers at Custer State Park's annual Buffalo Roundup on Monday when a maverick cow and her calf made a last-second dash for freedom.

Most of the park's herd of 1,000-plus buffalo had already funneled through gates into a holding pasture when the pair made their break.

Ignoring the stiff wind in their faces, the pair dodged a squad of wranglers mounted on horseback and escaped toward the rolling hills.

"That sort of adds a little spice to it," said David Bolton of Spring Hill, Kan., after Monday's ride. This is his second season as a 90-day volunteer assisting park employees with the buffalo herd. He arrived in August and will leave in November.

Monday's roundup went fairly smoothly, with the exception of a few "turn backs," when reluctant buffalo hesitated to cooperate with the 56 mounted riders and team of motorized vehicles directing them toward the buffalo corrals.

Perched on two opposing hills, visitors watched teams of veteran and volunteer wranglers -- mounted on horseback, riding four-wheelers and driving pickups -- funnel small herds of bison into one loping herd.

The herd was moved into a small holding pasture where they'll rest from the day's activity.

A herd of about 150 bulls, cows and calves, previously moved into the buffalo corrals, were branded, vaccinated and blood-tested Monday. Park employees will spend the rest of the week processing the rest of the herd in small bunches to ease the stress on the livestock.

All humans and animals apparently survived Monday's roundup unscathed, Bolton said.

The safety of riders, horses and buffalo is always a concern, he said.

"The cows are unusually cranky this year," Bolton said. "They've been chasing people a lot."

In the weeks leading up to the roundup, more than one rider was rushed by an unhappy female, Bolton said.

Working with buffalo is considerably different than working with his cattle, he said. "Cows are boring."

Buffalo, particularly the cows, can be a little cantankerous. There always has to be one that "thinks they'd rather fight than move."

"We don't want anybody hurt," Bolton said. That includes spectators and riders.

"This is the real deal," Bolton said. "This is serious work. It's fun, I feel very fortunate to be a part of it as a volunteer worker."

Kathy Tyler of Big Stone City was one of 20 volunteer riders assisting with the drive. Tyler learned in July that her name was drawn in the lottery for the coveted spot. The roundup lived up to her expectations.

"It was a rush," Tyler said. "It was one of the biggest I've ever had."

When a neighbor warned her that the ride was dangerous, Tyler shrugged him off and said, "I'll die happy."

Custer State Park superintendent Richard Miller estimated between 11,500 and 11,700 people attended the annual roundup. Journalists from 18 countries were among the various media snapping photos and shooting video.

This year's crowd was on par with last year and appears to be growing in popularity, Miller said.

The roundup is one of the few places you can go anymore to see some of the old west, he said.

After years of planning clients' trips to Custer State Park's annual Buffalo Roundup, retired travel agent Connie Vorraber of Toledo, Ohio, finally saw her first roundup.

"I never had a complaint," Vorraber said, while she sat snuggled in a blanket waiting for the action to start. "This is so exciting!"

From their front-row vantage point, Vorraber and her husband, Roger, and friends, Ed and Darla Rhue, of Omaha, Neb., watched the sun rise over the Southern Black Hills. The couples left their Sylvan Lake cabin about 4:50 a.m., but were surprised to find others in line ahead of them at the entrance to the south parking area above the buffalo corrals.

The six children of Ron and Kim Johnson from Corcoran, Minn., rolled out of bed without complaints, according to their mom.

This was the fourth roundup for the Johnson family.

"We have more fun each year," said 11-year-old Zachary.

The Johnsons home school their children. The ride across South Dakota is a good time to practice map skills and math, Kim Johnson said.

Park officials opened the routes to the south and north parking areas at 6 a.m., but cars began lining up well before 5 a.m.

The wait in line was OK with Bill and Connie Smith, of Montrose, who were also first-time roundup viewers. People stepped out of their cars and visited in the pre-dawn darkness, Connie Smith said. "We met a lot of people."

As the cool, crisp morning warmed, heavy coats gave way to sweatshirts and eventually shirtsleeves as park visitors maneuvered for viewing spots or enjoyed breakfasts of pancakes and sausage with coffee or hot chocolate while they scanned the horizon for buffalo.

Seasoned South Dakotans, the Smiths said even winds gusting more than 30 miles per hour failed to spoil the day.

"It's really exciting to see it happen and think back to what it might have been like years ago," Connie Smith said.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com