The Black Hills National Forest provides habitat for many species of wildlife, including large and small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and birds. Enjoy viewing wildlife from roads and trails throughout the Forest.
Congress established the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve in 1920 for the "protection of game animals and birds and to be recognized as a breeding place therefore." The preserve covers about 35,000 acres, 25,000 of which are managed by the Forest Service. Most of the r...
The Black Hills National Forest provides habitat for many species of wildlife, including large and small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and birds. Enjoy viewing wildlife from roads and trails throughout the Forest.
Congress established the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve in 1920 for the "protection of game animals and birds and to be recognized as a breeding place therefore." The preserve covers about 35,000 acres, 25,000 of which are managed by the Forest Service. Most of the rest of Norbeck is part of Custer State Park. Norbeck is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. It also contains rugged granite formations, small lakes, scenic drives, and hiking trails.
Bald Eagles can also be sighted throughout the Black Hills but are, mostly tied to carrion along roads and in other areas and/or open water for fishing. Winter roost sites typically consist of clusters of large trees associated with food sources such as waterfowl or fish.
White-tailed deer are mostly migratory in the Black Hills, using lower elevations from October to January, depending on snow and forage conditions.
See Checklist of Birds of the Black Hills (.pdf)
Wildlife of the Black Hills
Elk Calf, photo by Matt Stefanich, Black Hills National Forest:
Bald Eagle, photo by Lou Howey, Black Hills National Forest:
Meadowlark, photo by Lou Howey, Black Hills National Forest:
Fawn, photo by Matt Stefanich, Black Hills National Forest:
Rattlesnake photo by Matt Stefanich, Black Hills National Forest:
Coyote, photo by Lou Howey, Black Hills National Forest:
Beaver, photo by Matt Stefanich, Black Hills National Forest:
Big Horn Sheep
Bull Elk
Mountain Goat
