Best Job in South Dakota

[Canonman]

Custer State Park employees driving through the Bison herds counting bulls. They shoot the counted bulls in the butt with a paint ball gun. I'd pay to have this much fun!!
Quite the Rodeo

[chuckster57]

You'd have to fight me first!!

[hankpage]

You'd have to fight me first!!

Chuck, I heard that they are going to do it next year by hand with lipstick!!! Still interested??? They are some BIG powerful animals.

Canonman, Great post ..... Thanks, Hank

[chuckster57]

BIG is right!!

[Canonman]

The bulls are just starting the rut. It's hot, 90+ and the animals are "grumpy".
Left alone they walk around your vehicle like you're just a big rock in the way.
But of course there are those that just have to have that perfect picture, get out of the car and try to get up close and personal. Ranger reported one woman was severely gored while we were there. Also reported, a small car was repeatedly "nudged" by one of the females in a herd until it was rolled on it's side. The ranger said the driver was trying to get the animals out of the way so they could continue on their way. They wanted to see more different animals:D
Big, powerful and definitely not cows!

[hankpage]

Photo #3 is awesome. 👌

[Murphsmom]

Photo #3 is awesome. 👌
X2!
We were there last spring and really need to go back again soon.

[gkainz]

Pre-requisite to the job of shooting the buffalo bulls in the butt with a paint gun is 2 seasons as the buffalo bull butt scrubber. Can't have the tourists getting all upset about stained buffalo bull butts. :D
Required tools are a bucket with soapy water, a small scrub brush and running shoes.
Physical requirements are the ability to sprint 35 mph for short distances on demand.

I grew up in Custer, right at the west fence of Custer State Park. :)

[Canonman]

Photo #3 is awesome. 👌

Thanks for the kind words.
We had a blast on our first trip to this area. The Stockade Lake CG was a really great place to stay as our base camp. Lots of very pretty, small lakes in the area. We took the Iron Mountain road to Rushmore. The Needles Loop up to Sylvan Lake. Of course the Wildlife Loop road a couple of times. Took a couple of day trips to Spearfish Canyon and to Hot Springs. Experienced Custer Gold Discovery days celebration, car show and parade. Crazy Horse memorial was a surprise good time. The light show at night was especially cool. Finally a performance by Brule' to cap off the trip

[Way Of Life]

With the Sturgis Rally just 5 days away it is always fun to watch the reactions of the many motorcycle riders in the park.

The wife and I are used to the large herds and their movements around loud motorcycles. I have conceded my position but once when an agravated young bull approached my bike. I simply shut it down.....Slowly dismounted.....And walked back towards where my wife was on her bike. He was very interested in my motorcycle for some reason that he gently rubbed the grip on my handle bar but did not knock it over or cause any damage. I snapped plenty of photos for insurance reasons if needed but he eventually became bored and walked away with a snort. Close enough call for me.