Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

Does SD have the most bison in the US?

yes

South Dakota’s has about 40,000 bison, making it the state with the largest bison population.

North America is home to 400,000-500,000 bison. Before the 1860s, 30-60 million buffalo roamed in North America.

Between 1,400 and 1,500 buffalo live in Custer State Park, according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Every year in November, the GFP holds an auction to keep buffalo herd sizes manageable and to prevent overgrazing. Between 200 and 500 buffalo are sold at auction each year.

“Buffalo are generally purchased to supplement an existing herd, to start a herd or to eat,” the GFP website says.

This year’s fall auction will be Nov. 7. In 2024, 482 bison were sold for a combined $885,425, the department reported.

The annual roundup, which is Friday, consistently draws a large crowd. In 2024, a record 24,178 people attended.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Custer State Park Bison Center
SD Department of Education Bison talking points
SDSU Extension Bringing happy, healthy bison back to the Great Plains
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks 59th Custer State Park Fall Classic Bison Auction

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Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by newsrooms in the Gigafact network.

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Does SD have the most bison in the US?

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