Two of the comments yesterday asked us how we knew the age of the buffalo. Well, we really didn’t know. However, we got a lesson from Mom & Pop’s about how the park brands the buffalo. They worked here at Custer State Park for nine years. Each year in September, the park conducts a buffalo roundup. They gather all of the buffaloes up for vaccinations. However, the new calves get branded with the last digit of the year they were born. So if you check out the pictures below you will see the brand on the rear hindquarter.
Notice the zero, this bull was born in 2000
This buffalo was born last year in 2009
Rocky & Sheri loaded up and heading out
After Rocky and Sheri departed this morning we headed out to the barn. Our goal today was to help Mom & Pop’s move a lot of items in their new storage area above their cabin. After we got most items moved from the barn floor Gina and Mom moved out to their shed. We finished up right at four o’clock. While we were enjoying our social hour I decided to boil a few pounds of shrimp, potatoes, onions, and sausage. We had to eat quickly because Mom and I had a softball game. Well, the game didn’t go so well considering we had won our last three games. Regardless of whether we win or lose we have a lot of fun. We do not have a game next week since the giant motorcycle rally held in Sturgis is next week. This is the 70th anniversary for the rally.
I am off to Rapid City this morning to buy light switches and receptacles. We are hoping real hard that the drywall will be finished today. If that happens you will find Gina in her painting clothes doing her second best hobby right behind searching for rocks.
Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.
Thanks for the heads-up on the age of the buffalo question. You guys are working hard with Mike & Pat, but because of the heart behind the work, it probably does not feel like work. What a joy to be able to give in love of your talents for someone else.
ReplyDeleteThe great kicker on top of that is the beauty of where you are.
Take care and be safe.
Mike & Gerri
But what happens next year, if you see a bison with a "0" on his rump. Was he born in 2000 or 2010?
ReplyDeleteBut Jerry, wouldn't it be rather obvious if a buffalo was 1 or 10? I wounder how many of them actually make it to ten? Perhaps Rollie will shed some light on buffalo mortality!
ReplyDeleteMike assured me that you can tell the difference between a one or two year old buffalo and a 11 or 12 year old one. They only live about 12 or 13 years if the park doesn't sell them or they are killed before then.
ReplyDeleteRollie