Bay Photos by Donna

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It was exciting to see a herd of bighorn sheep females and their lambs up close (shared here) during our recent Badlands NP visit, but it was a far distance on the herd of rams seen.  No real chance to see those massive horns they are famous for.

Since arriving to the Black Hills region, I’ve had my eye out for bighorn sheep that also roamed here in the wild.

While out cruising on one of the scenic roads in Custer State Park, it was my husband who luckily spotted and quickly stopped for me to photograph six rams tucked in the shade and tall grass.

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Bighorn Sheep Rams

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The ram’s massive horns can weigh up to 30 pounds each for a total of 60 pounds on its head!

The horns are a general indicator of the ram’s age.  The longer the horn, the older the ram.

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Bighorn Sheep Rams

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These horns play a big part during “rut” season.  During these displays, two rams will run towards each other, horns first, at speeds up to 40mph, and butt heads.  The sound of this collision can be heard from up to a mile away!

The ritual repeats until one ram gives up and the other wins the right to mate.  This can last up to 20 hours.

Today scientists are studying bighorn sheep to try to make better football helmets.

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