In most places, traffic jams are a pain in the neck. But in Rapid City lately, the traffic-stoppers have been bighorn sheep on Jackson Boulevard near the Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery.

And nobody seems to mind yielding the right-of-way to these impressive animals.

For their part, the bighorns seem pretty oblivious to us. They graze contentedly on the grass by the side of the road, occasionally wandering across five lanes of asphalt in search of a greener patch on the other side of the road. I haven’t seen it, but I guess the rams have also been squaring off in their ancient ritual of dominance.

Last week the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks issued a warning to motorists to watch out for this new roadside attraction.

“Motorists urged to use caution near Cleghorn Fish Hatchery

“It is an annual rite of passage and a rare opportunity to see an impressive big game animal exhibiting aggressive and amazing instincts, but motorists near the Cleghorn Fish Hatchery in the Black Hills are being asked to slow down for bighorn sheep.

“’This time of year, many of our resident bighorn sheep come down from the higher elevations to breed,” said John Kanta, Game Fish and Parks regional game manager for western South Dakota.  “Unfortunately many of the animals congregate on or near the road around the Cleghorn Fish Hatchery. We are just reminding motorists to slow down when traveling that area.’

“Motorists are encouraged to travel below the posted speed limit. While traveling that area, also be aware of vehicles that are stopped and pedestrians who are looking or photographing the animals.

“‘Seeing bighorn rams sparring in the wild is an amazing sight,” Cleghorn Hatchery Manager Will Sayler said. “Many people come to shoot photos or to just watch. We get a lot of traffic through this area and we would hate to have an injury to a person or one of these beautiful animals.’”

“The bighorn sheep is native to western South Dakota, but were wiped out in the state by unregulated hunting and disease in the early 1900s. Bighorns were re-introduced in the 1920s and currently approximately 450 animals live in the Black Hills and Badlands National Park.”

The staff at Cleghorn snagged this shot of two rams squaring off near the fish hatchery fence.