On March 28, 2026, our #1 daughter, grandson and I headed out on a wildlife drive. From Wisconsin to Colorado and back to Wisconsin we covered over 2,400 miles. I've documented a few of the highlights here:
Site 1 - Custer State Park
Custer is known for its Bison herd and it did not disappoint. In addition to the Bison there were plenty of Mule deer and Whitetails. It also produced some Pronghorn and plenty of Prairie Dogs.
Perhaps the most interesting/unusual animal in Custer are the wild burros. Affectionately known as "begging burros," these friendly, semi-domesticated donkeys often approach cars, offering a unique opportunity for close-up viewing and feeding. Visitors are allowed to feed them, with carrots and apples being favorite treats.
Don't forget to experience Needles Highway (SD-87) in Custer State Park. It is a spectacular 14-mile scenic drive renowned for sharp spires of granite, narrow tunnels and tight hairpin turns through the Black Hills. Open seasonally (roughly April–October), it features iconic spots like the Needle’s Eye Tunnel and is a premier route for breathtaking, high-elevation views.
Site 2 - Mammoth Site
In June 1974, heavy equipment operator George Hanson was leveling ground for a Hot Springs housing development planned by landowner Phil Anderson. Hanson was grading a small hill when his blade struck something that shone white in the sunlight. Hanson got out for a closer look. What he saw was a tusk, about seven feet long, sliced in half length-wise, along with other bones. Mr. Anderson contacted three universities and colleges in South Dakota and one university in Nebraska; none of the 4 colleges were interested in the project nor did they have any desire to come and see what was discovered in Hot Springs.
Mr. Hanson then took some of the bones to his son Dan, who had taken classes in geology and archaeology. Dan Hanson realized these were no ordinary bones. He called his former college professor, Dr. Larry Agenbroad, who was on the faculty of Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska at the time, and asked him to come and take a look at the site. Dr. Agenbroad was in southeastern Arizona when Hanson called, excavating a site where mammoths had been hunted and killed.
The young Hanson kept a 24-hour vigil at the site until Dr. Agenbroad and his crew could arrive. Dr. Agenbroad’s first look at the number of bones exposed by the bulldozer told him there were at least four to six mammoths. He knew there had to be more.
Because of another commitment at the Hudson-Meng Bison kill site near Crawford, NE, Dr. Agenbroad asked his colleague Dr. Jim Mead and several members of his Arizona dig crew to spend 10 days salvaging and stabilizing the bones, tusks, teeth, and skull fragments that had been exposed. Land owner, Phil Anderson, offered to halt his housing project until they had a better handle on what was there. This short excavation proved significant, as an unprecedented number of specimens were uncovered.
The following year, in 1975, Dr. Agenbroad and Dr. Mead led a team of volunteer students to begin excavating the site. Interest in the mammoth graveyard grew rapidly after a complete skull with tusks intact was unearthed. They would dig in the summer months and rebury in the winter to preserve them.
By the end of the 1975 summer excavation, Phil Anderson realized his 14 acres of land would be more valuable as a resource for scientific study rather than a housing development. Soon thereafter, through community commitment and Mr. Anderson’s generosity, the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, was born.
Our resident paleontologist, Little Big Guy.
Site 3 - Pawnee National Grasslands
The Pawnee National Grassland lies 35 miles east of Fort Collins, CO and 25 miles northeast of Greeley, CO in Weld County. Contained within the 30-by-60 mile area are 193,060 acres managed by the Pawnee National Grassland. The rest of the land is a checkerboard of private land, State of Colorado ownership and the Central Plains Experimental Range.
The area is rich in history and wildlife. A wide variety of plants and animals call the Pawnee National Grassland home. The wildflowers, flora and fauna are adapted to the environments of the area.
We made this stop to see what birds had returned to their nesting grounds. It turned out that we were a little too early and only found a few sparrows, western meadow larks, horned larks ( one of the early nesters) and raptors.
Then is was time to turn the wheel over to my grandson, Little Big Guy, and tour some of the backroads in the Grasslands.
Site 4- Rocky Mountain National Park
Arrived at our home away from home and gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. 
Day 1 was learning what roads and trail were open at the beginning of April. Estes Park sits at about 7,600' and roads were closed at about 9,000'. Since Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine VC sit a slightly over 12,000', crossing the Rocky's in the park was not an option. However, many roads and trails were open at lower elevations. There would prove to be many wildlife viewing opportunities as game had moved to the lower elevation for the winter months.
I was somewhat surprised to see that a few of the Rocky Mountain Elk bulls were still carrying their antlers, although most had dropped them.
According to a Ranger, the Park has approximately 800 elk and 200 moose based on aerial surveys. Also of interest is the number of black bear at only 20 and mountain lion at about 30, and no Grizzlies currently reside in the Park.
Over sixty species of mammals, eleven species of fish, hundreds of species of birds, over three hundred different types of insects, and a number of reptiles and amphibians inhabit Rocky Mountain National Park.
As in the Grasslands, we were a little early to experience the majority of returning birds, however we did encounter several Mountain Bluebirds.
Site 5- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, is FREE to visit! Located just 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver, you can step into nature and see the native wildlife that call the Refuge home. Bison, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, and coyotes are just a few of the animals you will see on your visit. A nature escape that offers a variety of wildlife and outdoor recreational experiences.
The Arsenal contained mush more water and waterfowl than what I expected.
Site 6 - Wildcat Mountain
One of my "wildlife" goals for this western trip was to encounter a Golden Eagle. Back in Wisconsin, I've been participating in the National Eagle Center's Golden Eagle Project which surveys Golden Eagles wintering in the Driftless Area. I have become very fond and intrigued by this magnificent bird of prey.
SUCCESS!
Site 7 - Crane Trust & Nature Center
With only a short time before sunset, I setup on a trail leading to a small bridge crossing the Platte River and enjoyed the sights and sounds of cranes in the distance.
Site 8 - Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
The "Crown Jewel" of our western Wildlife Loop!
Every March and April, over a million Sandhill Cranes converge on the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska to fuel up before continuing north to their nesting grounds. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is at the heart of this magnificent crane staging area.
During the migration, Rowe Sanctuary offers daily guided tours at sunrise and sunset to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their river roosts from new discovery stations strategically placed along the Platte River close to Sandhill Crane roosts. Nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers will have multiple ways to experience this historic migration.
In 2026, it's estimated that 650,000 cranes migrated through this area. At the time of our visit there were roughly 60,000 birds still present.
It's not only the number of birds you see at the Platte, but also their loud distinctive calls and behavior such as the mating dance, that will capture your affections for these cranes.
THANK YOU to this wonderful family for making the Wildlife Loop possible!
