Record crowd on hand for roundup

A record number of 22,590 people came out to Custer State Park last Friday to view the stampede of 1,500 bison being herded for their yearly management at the 58th annual Buffalo Roundup.
From the very early morning hours of Friday all the way up to the start of the event, cars were lined bumper to bumper all the way down Wildlife Loop Road from the north and south entrances.  Crowds as far as the eye can see filled the rolling prairie hills surrounding the corrals to get a good view of the action. Even the lines for the pancake breakfast stretched for dozens upon dozens of people.
“It’s easy to say the event was a success because we set a record for attendance, but it’s most important that everyone who attended had an awesome time,” said Lydia Austin, visitor services coordinator at Custer State Park. “We were able to enjoy fantastic fall weather, great attendance at the Arts Festival and everyone made memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Buffalo Roundup happens each year to manage the park’s herd of bison, one of the largest herds in the world. Management of the herd following the roundup includes  branding, ear tagging, vaccinating of calves as well as weighing, health and pregnancy checks on the mature bison.  60 horseback riders aided in the process of moving the herd to the corrals.
The roundup also allows some of the herd to be sorted out to be sold at auction in November. The park auctions approximately 200-500 bison each year and those may be purchased by the general public to supplement existing herds, begin new herds or for food. Buyers come from many different states to purchase bison from the park.
This year’s auction will be held Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. in Custer State Park. At last year’s auction, a total of 399 bison were sold, ranging in price from about $500 to up to $2,300 for 2 year old breeding bulls. This year, they will auction approximately 500 bison.
For more information on the auction, contact the park at 605-394-2693 or email CusterStatePark@state.sd.us.
People came from far and wide to view this year’s round up.
Rory Binkerd of Sioux Falls estimates he’s been out to see the roundup about 18 times since 1999.
“We always enjoy it, even when the weather isn’t the best. I’ve never seen so many people as there were this year!” said Binkerd. “I love Custer State Park and the Buffalo Roundup. In 2009, I started a Facebook group for the Roundup. On Sept. 22, the group went over 8,000 members. Today it is over 12,000. There was so much activity that I had to pause the group to let us catch up and take a breather.”
Mark your calendars for next year’s 59th annual Buffalo Roundup happening Sept. 27, the last Friday of the month.