Black Hills Bison....
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Black Hills Bison....
Silly question but I am curious...
I'm booked to stay in Deadwood early Sept and ride the Hills. Haven't been to the area before and the only other time I saw Bison was at the North Rim, and far away.
Seems to a be a fairly large population of the "Fluffy Cows" there. Saw a vid of a woman getting gored in Custer State Park.
So what's the procedure when you have a herd walking down the road? Stop and get off, ride slow, grab a steak knife?
Of course you don't get close, but what if they want to get close to you and possibly charge?
I haven't heard of any encounters on a bike so... maybe patience is the answer.
I'm booked to stay in Deadwood early Sept and ride the Hills. Haven't been to the area before and the only other time I saw Bison was at the North Rim, and far away.
Seems to a be a fairly large population of the "Fluffy Cows" there. Saw a vid of a woman getting gored in Custer State Park.
So what's the procedure when you have a herd walking down the road? Stop and get off, ride slow, grab a steak knife?
Of course you don't get close, but what if they want to get close to you and possibly charge?
I haven't heard of any encounters on a bike so... maybe patience is the answer.
Popular Reply
Jul 13, 2022, 08:07 AM
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,392
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From: Tampa Bay Area
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10,186
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From: In a van down by the river
Remain quiet, calm, keep your distance. Don't be loud, don't startle them, don't antagonize them. So basically, pull over at a safe distance, turn off the bike and wait for the murdercow to mosey along and away.
Or run up and try to pet it. I ain't your boss. If you go with option two though please make sure it's being videotaped and the link is shared here
Or run up and try to pet it. I ain't your boss. If you go with option two though please make sure it's being videotaped and the link is shared here
Silly question but I am curious...
I'm booked to stay in Deadwood early Sept and ride the Hills. Haven't been to the area before and the only other time I saw Bison was at the North Rim, and far away.
Seems to a be a fairly large population of the "Fluffy Cows" there. Saw a vid of a woman getting gored in Custer State Park.
So what's the procedure when you have a herd walking down the road? Stop and get off, ride slow, grab a steak knife?
Of course you don't get close, but what if they want to get close to you and possibly charge?
I haven't heard of any encounters on a bike so... maybe patience is the answer.
I'm booked to stay in Deadwood early Sept and ride the Hills. Haven't been to the area before and the only other time I saw Bison was at the North Rim, and far away.
Seems to a be a fairly large population of the "Fluffy Cows" there. Saw a vid of a woman getting gored in Custer State Park.
So what's the procedure when you have a herd walking down the road? Stop and get off, ride slow, grab a steak knife?
Of course you don't get close, but what if they want to get close to you and possibly charge?
I haven't heard of any encounters on a bike so... maybe patience is the answer.
If you don't see any near the road for viewing stop at one of the ranger stations and ask and they will know where the herds have moved on to. Perhaps there is a short hike you can take for viewing. Sometimes they have paid tours where they will drive you out safari style.
Just remember, there is no way you can outrun one on foot.
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 2,340
From: Tampa Bay Area
Patience...
Had a cool close encounter 2 years ago. As you described, I also didn't find any bison until the last portion of the loop, but when we did find them there were 100s of them and they got real close.
Traffic will stop when they're on the road and wait for the ability to pass. Basically take your time. I would NOT consider a dismount to approach them on foot.
These animals are HUGE. It definitely was a highlight of the trip to see them up close. There were a number of calves running around and all I could think about was ensuring I didn't get a momma-bison spooked and overly concerned about her baby.
At one point a couple of them got close enough to worry me; a blip of the throttle caused them to back off but admittedly it couldve gone the other way.
I've got some video that tells the story - trying to get it posted...
Traffic will stop when they're on the road and wait for the ability to pass. Basically take your time. I would NOT consider a dismount to approach them on foot.
These animals are HUGE. It definitely was a highlight of the trip to see them up close. There were a number of calves running around and all I could think about was ensuring I didn't get a momma-bison spooked and overly concerned about her baby.
At one point a couple of them got close enough to worry me; a blip of the throttle caused them to back off but admittedly it couldve gone the other way.
I've got some video that tells the story - trying to get it posted...
Last edited by Old Sport; Jul 13, 2022 at 08:30 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,037
Likes: 10,768
From: SE Michigan
been that way and up close and personal with several in a parking lot at a tourist center
stay on the bike, and enjoy....you'll be fine
stay on the bike, and enjoy....you'll be fine
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,235
Likes: 6,171
From: Black Hills
It can be unnerving when they are that close and unpredictable. The wildlife loop was paved this spring and the last 2 times I've been thru there I haven't seen a single buffalo. I'm wondering if they don't like the smell of the fresh asphalt. You usually find their pies on the road but I've only seen a handful. Might try to ride it again this week.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Driftless Area
Mind the traffic in front of you. Leave space. The idiot car-tourists don't
I got boxed in once in a bison-jam. Had no where to go when the bull decided to walk down the middle between cars. I could have reached over and touched him. Nothing happened, but the car-tourists made it worse by getting out to record it instead of moving out of the way.
And stay out of the bison's blind side. I saw a car try to drive around one from behind. He dropped his head and caved in the driver's side door.
I got boxed in once in a bison-jam. Had no where to go when the bull decided to walk down the middle between cars. I could have reached over and touched him. Nothing happened, but the car-tourists made it worse by getting out to record it instead of moving out of the way.
And stay out of the bison's blind side. I saw a car try to drive around one from behind. He dropped his head and caved in the driver's side door.
