Deadwood Forum: Buffalo in Custer State Park

Yes, the roundup has already happened. Here's an older thread that provides some great information on the Roundup and how it works.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143055-i7185-k466…

Mt. Mama, the responder, has attended the roundup and is very knowledgeable. Enjoy your trip!

The Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Festival is always held the last weekend in September with the actual roundup being held on the Monday following the festival. The herd, which numbers from 950 to 1,500 in size,

is driven over the rolling terrain of the southern end of the park until they reach the corral complex area just off the Wildlife Loop Road. The roundup is an important means by which park management maintains the herd population at a level which the native prairie can support. At this time the park management performs health checks and innoculates each animal, brands the babies and then releases them.The process takes about 2 weeks to complete. There is a possibilty the wranglers will still be working on some of the herd but most should have been released by now. If the wranglers are still working , stop in at the pens and watch. It is fascinating and the wranglers are packed full of interesting info as well as entertaining stories.