South Dakota is celebrating 125 years of statehood. SDPB honors that milestone with stories that explore the state’s identity and heritage.
A hundred years ago, Custer State Park acquired its first bison from the Scotty Philip ranch near Fort Pierre. This started the reintroduction of bison into the park. Now about thirteen hundred animals are rounded up every year. As SDPB’s Victoria Wicks learns, there are people from two worlds at this event, the onlookers and the participants, and for the riders, this roundup is the real deal.
Annual Bison Roundup Features Real-Life Cowboys and Cowgirls
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Journalists shoot photos of bison as they pass by the viewing area.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Ross and Scott Varilek ride horses to herd cattle on their Angus ranch near Geddes, so although chasing bison had its challenges, it wasn't an entirely foreign experience.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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The Varilek Ranch rig.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Deb Huoteri and Dee Ayers relax after riding in the roundup. Both women traveled from Minnesota to ride with the bison.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Deb Huoteri and Dee Ayers, wearing bright orange T-shirts, are easy to spot.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Craig Pugsley has worked 37 bison roundups as visitor services coordinator at the park.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Scott Wicks, my brother, has ridden in the roundup twice, and he says he'll do it again if his application is accepted. Scott rides regularly on his Angus operation at Carpenter, S.D.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Barb Mechaley Wicks, married to my cousin Mark, has ridden horses since she was two and won all-around cowgirl in high school rodeo.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Horses ridden by Scott Wicks and Barb Mechaley Wicks.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Unless you're a rider, this is as close as you'll get to a bison at the roundup. These animals are in the pens.
Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Photo by Victoria Wicks
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Photo by Victoria Wicks
