Custer Wildlife Loop Road.

Earlier in the week we toured the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road. Animals that call the Black Hills and Custer home include Buffalo, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Mountain Goats, Burros, Elk, Pronghorns, Bighorn Sheep, Prairie Dogs, Coyotes, Bobcats, Mountain Lions, Turkeys, Rabbits and Birds. We were able to spot Pronghorns, Turkey, Rabbits, Burros, a Deer (we were not able to tell if it was a Mule or White-tailed), and Buffalo; we missed the Prairie Dog town where we have seen it in the past. Like the Needles Highway, the Wildlife Loop Road is a scenic drive and offers the opportunity to view the animals.

 

Highway 87 took us through some forested land before we turned onto the Wildlife Loop Road. We briefly saw a deer in this area but it quickly disappeared into the trees.

 

Pronghorns were plentiful on the loop; we were watching the male (at right), when the female and young stood up from where they were hidden in the tall grass.

 

The same group.

 

The loop road traveled through some open area.

 

This Pronghorn was close to the road.

 

The rolling hills reminded us of the central coast area in California.

 

More Pronghorn.

 

This guy was eating among the wildflowers.

 

The Burros were brought to the park to give tourists rides up to Harney Peak, the rides were discontinued years ago…

 

now out of work and desperate, many have resorted to begging.

 

The Park’s Buffalo herd is also large (it is maintained at about 1,500 animals), in September the Buffalo are rounded up and herded into the corrals for testing, vaccinations, branding and sorting. Some of the Buffalo are sold at auction but most are released back into  the park; the roundup assures that the park can support the herd through the coming winter. This years roundup is set for September 27, 2010 and many spectators attend.

 

Some of the Buffalo herd.

 

A group was crossing the road which brought traffic to a standstill.

 

 

When your this big you can cross the road where and when you want to.