Bison Rut at Custer State Park

The Bison Bull is sniffing the air to see if the female cow is ready to mate.

Our time spent at Custer State Park this summer has been truly delightful and filled with new experiences.

One particular highlight has been having the magnificent bison as our neighbors, gracing our campground with occasional visits. These majestic creatures never fail to leave a lasting impression, reminding us of their symbolic significance to our American identity.

Moreover, their presence in this park is a testament to the remarkable conservation efforts that have brought their population back to a thriving and healthy state.

Naturally, as a photographer armed with my trusty Canon R5 and 100-500mm lens, I seized the opportunity to capture some images of these extraordinary animals, which I am excited to share with you.

The male will separate the female cow from the herd to get first dibs. Many times, she still has her calf in tow.

Bison are the largest mammal in North America. The Bulls weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stands 6 feet tall.

Wallowing is what this behavior is called. The male rolls in the dirt to make his scent better.

The distinction between bison and buffalo is often overlooked as the terms are frequently interchanged.

However, it is important to note that the scientifically recognized name for these creatures in North America is bison.

Specifically, the full scientific name is Bison bison bison, encompassing the genus Bison, the species bison, and the subspecies bison or athabascae.

Nonetheless, it is perfectly acceptable to refer to them as bison without repeating the name multiple times. Interestingly, historians propose that the term "buffalo" emerged from the French word for beef, "boeuf."

A "red dog" or “cinnamon” is a term used to describe a young bison, particularly observed from late March to May when bison calves are born. These endearing beings possess a delightful orange-red coloration, hence their nickname. Yet as they grow older, their fur undergoes a transformative shift to a deep, lustrous shade of brown, accompanied by the gradual emergence of their characteristic shoulder hump and horns.

Bison, being remarkably resilient creatures, reach sexual maturity at an early age, typically around 2-3 years.

Once they reach this stage of their life, the female members of the species, commonly referred to as cows, have the remarkable ability to reproduce. Every spring, after enduring a challenging 9.5-month gestation period, these remarkable creatures give birth to a solitary calf.

The process of raising their young is a dedicated one, as the calves are nourished through nursing for a period of 7-8 months, ensuring their healthy growth and development. By the end of their first year, the resilient calves are gradually weaned from nursing, acquiring the independence necessary for their continued growth.

The female bison sometimes gets her skin scrapped by the bull bison’s hooves while mating.

This is a tired Bull from the rut.

During the reproductive period known as the rut, which spans four months from June to September, bison experience a heightened period of mating activity primarily in the months of July and August.

It is intriguing to observe that bison exhibit seasonal breeding tendencies and display a partiality towards engaging in promiscuous behavior. Particularly, male bison, or bulls, demonstrate polygynous behavior by engaging in mating with numerous females, whereas female bison engage in monogamous relationships by selecting a single bull as their mating partner.

You’ll see the Bison scratching their bodies on different trees/objects.

The Bison tongue is rough. The Native American Indians used to use the Bison tongue as their hair comb. It is also considered a delicacy.

Custer State Park has about 1,500 Bison. The best way to see the herd is at the Wildlife Loop.