Bringing Cattle to their Black Hills Summer Pasture

My name is Carson Sleep, I’m 23 years old and am a 6th generation rancher on the Sleep Ranch.
Our ranch is located in the Northern Black Hills on the South Dakota/ Wyoming border where my family settled and started ranching in 1883.
I work alongside my parents, Jeff and Jodi, our ranch hand, Jaques, and my wife, Damaris who also works as a nurse in town. We have friends and family who come along very frequently as well!
We run a cow/calf operation where we summer our cattle on the Black Hills National Forest and winter them in the foothills of the Black Hills. We also have a backgrounding feedlot, and grow alfalfa and grass hay.
To God be the Glory
#ranching #farming #cows #cattle #americanagriculture #agriculture #america #conservation #sustainability #diy #homesteading #livestock #west #wildwest #southdakota #blackhills #wyoming #wildlife #hunting #construction #trucks #tractors #horses #homesteading

[@judyhofer3924]

I love how you give God the praise for providing!

[@jeni2114]

Praise the Lord the Lord provided for beautiful words that came from your mouth. This is an amazing adventure

[@terrimoore5181]

The colors ( sky, trees and grass) were beautiful! Also love that Palomino!

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Terri!

[@kevinirwin2036]

Carson you are a brave, brave man! Referring to Damaris as the "ol wife" on You Tube, HAHAHA!!! I realize it's early in the year but it's great to see how incredibly green it is this year. Thanks for another beautiful video, stay safe.

[@sleepranch]

Hahaha she thought it was funny! Thanks and stay safe as well!

[@Tonetwisters]

"The Lord provided." Love to hear that ... Beautiful video. Thanks for feeding us! Beautiful country, wooh! And your wife is so cute and so sweet! God bless you ... Jesus is coming back soon!

[@sleepranch]

Thank you! He sure is!

[@jeni2114]

The Lord is great

[@kayleighcutieexx]

Thanks for video watching from kilkenny ireland ❤

[@stevenjenkinson8958]

Lol the old wife 🤔🤪. Thanks again for sharing. You are blessed with beautiful country

[@sleepranch]

Haha thanks Steven!

[@tonyforrester5072]

glad to see your horse is doing so good, and them are some good looking cows

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Tony!

[@WhisperingPinesHomestead]

I’m so excited to have found y’all!! My aunt and late uncle ranched for years about 30 miles out of Hardin, MT, and she now lives in Spearfish☺️ We all love it out there - the landscape, lifestyle, and so many wonderful memories. Thanks for letting me experience them again through your channel❤️❤️

[@kristibrz2798]

Love watching you guys❤️

[@jeffhartson9203]

In my younger days, that would have been my dream job. It still is, but my body says those days are gone. Beautiful scenery . You can't pay enough for that.

[@ellisritz7654]

Another really good video, I laughed when you offered Houdini for sale cause you did it with a big smile on your face. lol He may leave the ranch but you'll have all the stories for years to come. So cool to see your sister with her baby on a 4 wheeler and Damaris pushing through and dealing with her horse. Thanks to all of you.

[@sleepranch]

Haha thanks Ellis! Take care!

[@rspranchinmontana]

Ah good, a new video from you to occupy me early this morning on yet another RAIN downpour day here. Your cows seem very happy to be heading into summer pasture. Awesome! And I got a big ol' smile on my face when Trump stared down that rock with the hole in it. His eyes seems to be doing pretty darned well! Nope- we dont want Houdini either! ha ha ha! We got a call at 6 AM the other day from a neighbor saying one of our cows was out. Hubby got down there to find a "wild" bull that wasnt ours at all. The crazy beast was from a ranch MANY miles away from us and from the way he acted, he must have been loose all winter. They just get sooooo weird and crazy when they are out and alone all winter.

[@sleepranch]

They sure do! Sounds like quite the adventure and makes for a great story! Take care!

[@scottraven1721]

That went pretty good ! You all showed alot of skill moving the herd onto pasture. Always laid back and relaxed. Would be very satisfying after a day like that. Great video again, thank you so much. Cheers 🦘 🍻

[@sleepranch]

Thank you Scott! Cheers!

[@brentbernath7257]

very nice country you live in.. thanks for sharing

[@sleepranch]

Thank you Brent!

[@farmhandluke5182]

There at 6:21 is what you just here about happening and don’t get to witness it yourself many times in a life time ! Where a full speed straight tailed calf actually reverses course and actually winds up on the right side of the gate! The cattle sorting gods were with you Carson! 😎Lots of good help and some hard working horses! Mighty fine looking cattle pots also! Thanks for sharing the move!👋👍

[@sleepranch]

Hahaha thanks Luke, they sure were! Take care!

[@georgedavidson1221]

You are a lucky man. Your wife is always smiling

[@kopenhagenkid]

Nice to see Damaris in your video

[@johnhughes2113]

Great vid once again, just love the way you gye’s work such beautifull scenery im so gratefull to you Carson and all your family for showing your country and way of life that you have, a big thank you for taking us along to the Black Hills i apreciate that all the way From North Wales UK. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧👋

[@sleepranch]

Thank you very much John!

[@NorwayRidgeAngus]

My husband Paul and I have been coming out to the Black Hills with our (now grown) two sons for years, sometimes a couple times a year. We love it there every season especially the fall and winter. We are very familiar with Spearfish and about where your farm is located. Love to see your videos as they bring us back to the beauty there. Don't take it for granted and always be grateful you live where you live.

[@sleepranch]

Thank you guys for watching! We don’t take it for granted at all, it’s a great place to live and visit!

[@waynegraham7611]

That was cool 👍

[@terryhobdy5727]

Enjoyed the video. The cows look good and they should be content

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Terry!

[@1977cuto]

Wow this is beautiful !!

[@kopenhagenkid]

Beautiful scenery on your ride Carson

[@donnaparrish7638]

Everything is so green and lush. The grass is incredible up where you took the cows n calves. Good for them! Trump looked like he wanted to stay awhile and munch down on some of that grindage up in the hills. He looks like he’s feeling really good. Got over surgery real well. I look so forward to the days when you all go riding together. The squeak of leather saddles, thud of horse hooves and swish of the grass as your horses push through. Your beautiful skies with their ever present whispy clouds of yellow and gray and blue. Thank you for sharing all that beauty Carson. Thank you and your family for raising beef to feed folks. I’d take Houdini but don’t know where I’d put him. I suppose he wouldn’t mind the extra bedroom but he’d probably find a way to climb jump out the window!

[@pettyfogger2305]

That was a great episode, Carson. A couple of good stock dogs to fish cattle out of the bushes would really make life a lot easier for you guys and the horses, eh? You really are a lucky guy, Friend. Great family, great hired help and a beautiful wife who compliments you and your family. It is a pleasure to be allowed to watch your life unfold.

[@sleepranch]

Thank you Petty! We really appreciate that!

[@Mike-ef7xe]

Great video. Thanks

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Mike!

[@huntingandstuff9489]

This is really something. Moving cows off of grass that looks that good when we never have grass that looks that good

[@sleepranch]

Haha ya we will need that grass for fall pasture!

[@Summitclym]

When cutting calves, Sometimes you just gotta throw that gate and hope it works! 😂😂

[@sleepranch]

Haha exactly!

[@fordenginebuildersv8power184]

Awesome video! Loved it!

[@sleepranch]

Thank you!

[@robertjennings397]

That little bit of leg, wow.

[@guybever8935]

Another great video. Like being outdoors on a nice sunny day.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Guy!

[@rcs3030]

Best video to come along in a long time ! Thank you so much for taking us along with you on such a beautiful trail drive. Brings back so many memories.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks for coming a long Robert!

[@Mcflynerdyguy]

We just moved our cattle to summer pasture too, three weeks later than usual. Great video as usual

[@sleepranch]

Thanks! I bet that feels good!

[@kopenhagenkid]

Nice looking cows and calves Carson

[@lorengordon9626]

I worked on the Johnson ranch ( blackfoot Res) and I drove the cattlepot and small trucks to glacier park and other areas. I was head mechanic , chief bottlewasher , seeder planter, cake truck driver and bale processor driver among other things. Nice looking pairs ! Pretty grazing area. Big job moving cattle. Nicely done !

[@ronaldblair7321]

Beautiful video Carson loved every bit of it you can’t beat the sound of them saddles squeaking.👍

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Ronald!

[@paulajohnson5256]

Wonderful video!! Love watching you all move the cows. Keep the videos coming!! God Bless

[@billcampbell2943]

A big operation that went smoothly. Good job by all

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Bill!

[@larrytucker5950]

Beautiful country

[@ezraseibel8407]

Beautiful country ❤️

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thank You so so much for sharing your family and videos with us 👍👍👍

[@sleepranch]

Thanks for watching David!

[@kennethsmith7769]

Great viedo awsome country love horse back work God bless y'all thanks Carson

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Kenneth, God Bless!

[@lynnalohaaloha9439]

Bet that is a big relief having the cows up there now. Can you please adopt me so I can live near God's country??? Lol. So beautiful! Love seeing everyone riding together.

[@sleepranch]

Haha of course Lynn! Thank you!

[@hectorcastro1428]

Carson great good video and I like when you had the whole family and the videos they’re pretty good keep doing it enjoy your horse and I wish you the best for you and your family and I like to see your family more often that’s very nice of you thank you

[@sleepranch]

Thank you Hector!

[@bobjoncas2814]

...those cattle sure put on a lot of miles, good one, have a great week...

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Bob, you too!

[@scottraven1721]

I loved it when you said "the Lord provided" Great work

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Scott!

[@chrisbutler1827]

Keeping it real good job guys

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Beautiful country up in the Hills

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Carson

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Kevin!

[@lavernfiely1326]

Beautiful

[@leannyK]

Beautiful country..wow ! You're living my dream life!!

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Leann!

[@evelynescalona6077]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. What a great video. So full of colour. I bet your appetite is great after all that fresh air. Thanks.

[@sleepranch]

It sure is! Thanks Evelyn!

[@perjrgensen8280]

Great video.. 👍 Greetings from Denmark..

[@sleepranch]

Thanks! Greetings!

[@michaelleinen8024]

Awesome video.

[@georgedavidson1221]

Your horse is a real treasure. Slow and steady as she goes

[@sleepranch]

He is a good one!

[@jerryrobson9309]

Awesome video great job.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Jerry!

[@kenparham5747]

Thats just like cows. They have a perfectly good road to go down and they take you all through the trees. Lol! Good job Cowboy!

[@sleepranch]

Haha thanks Ken!

[@curtisowens4588]

Nice pasture you lead them to. I like the way you all treat your animals.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Curtis!

[@timwilmoth363]

the good oh days

[@iamnospayt4485]

Enjoyed the video. Good that our Gov has land use options like this for you.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Iam, it is nice but who knows how long they will continue to let ranchers do this

[@terrygorgichuk5657]

The escape artist LOL. We had one of those.

[@candacegraff4883]

Hi! Please keep up the great videos. In my next life I'm going to do what you do. Rite now I'm too old to start over.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Candace, will do!

[@michaelmcguire3983]

Very nice video! Can’t believe that you are able to collect them all in the fall . Can’t wait to along for that one Take care my friend 👍🏻

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Michael, take care as well!

[@tinamiddleton-davidson2962]

I really enjoyed seeing this video because it reminds me of a time i was in a different town then this and seen a group of ranchers passing through town on horse back pushing the cattle through. Very Amazing :)

[@sleepranch]

Thank you!

[@elizabethfranke194]

Very interesting video ! I have been to our "land" that is IN the Hills since before I was born. I have always known about the open grazing and have seen cattle in the Summer most every year. It's very interesting to see the process of moving the cattle to the summer grazing in the National Forest. My family's property is up from Berno Gulch area. Just a cabin that my Parents still live in as their primary residence.

[@bobogilvie4472]

It is too bad city folk do not understand what it takes to put food on the table. THANK YOU for vall that your family and other farmers and ranchers do.

[@sleepranch]

Thank you Bob!

[@1ooProUnverbluemt]

Nice greetings from the Mountains in Tirol/Austria ✌️

[@sleepranch]

Greetings Laura!

[@nickolasfarias3748]

Amazing video, salutes from Brazil 🇧🇷 we are putting the work here too. Raising Nelore, Sindi and Guzera

[@sleepranch]

Thanks! That’s awesome, Salutes

[@mikewhalen7590]

Beautiful ranch. The low rolling green hills are like our Berkshires and parts of Vermont.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Mike, it sounds nice there?

[@billymcmahan9928]

Your whisling is blowing up our 👂

[@danielgomes4754]

Thanks for this nice video, the beautiful scenery, moving of your cattle and an introduction to the vast beautiful landscape. Living in FL, would love to visit your side of the US one day. God bless!

[@sleepranch]

Thanks for watching Daniel, we’d be happy to have you! God Bless!

[@margaretporkolab7166]

Glad to see a cattle drive with horses. I'm so jealous I couldn't be there. But this was good enough. That one calf look like he had hitch in the front right. After you got out of the mud hole. The scenery look grand. Is that the bull that wouldn't come down the mountain. I would like to have him on my dinner plate. Give him some apple cider vinegar and grain and that will make him nice a tender. God Bless

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Margaret! Sounds tasty haha God Bless!

[@csrlivestock7080]

Hi Carson, again loved your video, I look forward to seeing every new one. Interesting the number of times you move your cattle from paddock to paddock. In a previous life I was a cattle buyer and we moved cattle over long distances. When transporting Cows and calves we liked to leave the calves in with the cows. We used to salt the calves into the cows as we loaded them mostly onto rail wagons. We believed the cows legs helped the calves stay standing very few were hurt. Loading the calves by themselves ran the risk of then smothering themselves as they were the same size and little education for transport. How far do you transport them from your home property to summer pastures? I looked up where you are and I thought Spearfish, I heard you mention the name where your sister is living. I checked out google earth, and Dr Google and found some info about your family history. What a great story, anyway keep up these videos. Thanks from Down Under.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks CSR, that’s very interesting and it sounds like a good idea loading calves with the cows! I like hearing about how you guys do things over there. This permit is about 40 miles from our home place so it’s a little inconvenient but that’s okay! Take care!

[@benburns5995]

Great video, has to be challenging filming while maneuvering through all those trees. Have to ask was that big mound with a whole in the middle, a rock? Very unique, glad you zoomed in on it. Looks like you had a beautiful day once again, riding in the hills.

[@sleepranch]

Yep it was Ben, thanks!

[@rearlt]

Love the scenery. Trump seems like a great horse.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Richard! He is!

[@rusumarius5875]

Romania 🇷🇴 Marius 🤠🙏✋

[@sleepranch]

Hi Marius!

[@badgerpa9]

Sure is nice scenery. I would like Houdini but do not have the money or truck to get him, neighbors might get mad when he gets in with their Registered Jersey also. I completely understand why you do not want to take him up there again, calls of a loose bull are never fun. Glad Damaris did not get thrown off. Stay safe and healthy.

[@sleepranch]

Haha thanks Badger Pa, ya they wouldn’t like that! Stay safe and healthy as well

[@leighcowley9869]

Are you guys the only ones on that permit? The permit I had use to have about 2500 head but the forest service kept cutting numbers until it was about 1600. We ran about two thirty on that permit then we ran about another twenty we on state permit next to it. We were in an association with many guys with maybe thirty to a hundred head. When I finally got tired of not only the forest service crap but the other members I sold it. Well all my sons left the farm as well but the main reason was the politics. I kept about 150 cows and just ran them on my meadows. I ran about 800 acres by myself and so after a few years I sold all the cows and just farm. I drove bus eight hours a day after a few years 24 years I drove bus. Five years ago one of my sons came back to the farm. I’m living the good life. Don’t drive bus but I think I work harder now. We leased another 700 acres. Like we need a another hole in the head.

[@sleepranch]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Yeah we are the only ones on these permits but other ones around have multiple people on them. That does sound like more headaches and dealing with the government always makes for lots of headaches! Keep up the hard work, I hope I can say the same thing when I get to your age!

[@nesandhiller5323]

Getting them out to summer grass so they get to work for themselves is a good day's work. They're already slicked off and putting weight back on. Question for you: I noticed a tree had fallen on the permit road and that someone had cut it up a little so you could at least pass. Are you or the Forest Service responsible for keeping the road cleared? Hopefully it's them and not you.

[@sleepranch]

Yep the forest service is responsible for the roads but if we beat them up there we will just cut the trees off!

[@deangraves8317]

Carson, I just found your channel. Do all of the truckers load the same. Do the calves go in the top or in the front?

[@sleepranch]

These trucks all load the same but there are different trailers out there!

[@jacksak]

Another great one. I just don't know how you keep all those cows together without losing one during summer. It seems like trying to keep all your marbles together on a ping pong paddle (or something like that).

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Jack! That’s a great analogy haha

[@sherylhutton138]

First time watching, Do they free-range or are there fences to keep them in a certain area? I watch a lot of OUR WYOMING LIFE on KZbin also. Beautiful country that you have there.

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Sheryl! They are fenced into certain areas!

[@timothymorris1456]

JUST WONDERING HOW LONG IS THE ONE BULL WAGON?

[@adidey82]

How safe are the animals in their summer pasture from predators.

[@georgedavidson1221]

I have never seen a wife smile so much. My ex was always sore

[@sleepranch]

Thanks George!

[@Reapers10-2]

Any advice for someone that would like to get into ranching? I want to build something for my family. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@nc7812]

How many cattle do you loose to predators when they are on these pastures?

[@sleepranch]

Actually not very many!

[@robertromero3314]

Hi there new subscriber beautiful view where is this ranch at and how did the ranch get the name I'm sure there's a long story behind it

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Robert! It’s actually our family name, we’re the Sleeps!

[@hugowulf5176]

I'm from the east coast so I guess i don't understand, is the forest land fenced in?

[@sleepranch]

Yep it is! Each permit has a perimeter fence and cross fences for pastures as well!

[@hugowulf5176]

@@sleepranch I would assume that most BLM / forest lands are already permitted out or is there land that is still available?

[@jessicac2208]

How many cattle and calves do you lose to bears and mountain lions ? And how do you tend to vet care when you don’t see them for so long of a time

[@sleepranch]

We actually don’t lose many at all! Maybe just one here or there and we will round up sick ones if we need to

[@dwaniebrown3398]

Do your company take farmworkers from Jamaica to work on the form?

[@sleepranch]

Yeah we sure would Dwanie, at the moment though we aren’t looking for any more employees

[@martingreen7151]

I would get about 3 cow dogs to push with darn all that brush dogs are smaller than horses

[@chriscrosby8012]

Beautiful video !! Is this Montana ?

[@sleepranch]

Thanks! It’s South Dakota actually!

[@guybroussard8277]

Where do they get water?

[@henrymichaelwilson8107]

Hello there. How long have yous had the Angus Breed. How many are there on your land. Us here in the UK have the Angus and European breeds for beef production.

[@sleepranch]

Cool! We’ve had them for about 30 years!

[@shanenelms9740]

Do u guys have problems with Mt Loins getting any calves ?

[@shanenelms9740]

Lions lol whoops misspelled

[@sleepranch]

We don’t have too many problems! Maybe now and then

[@toddunruh3998]

Amazing country, is this Wyoming or South Dakota?

[@sleepranch]

Thanks Todd, this was in SD

[@Rebekah26320]

How many acres of public land do y'all use.

[@shawnwestbrook8810]

Do you loose many calves to mountain lions?

[@sleepranch]

Not many but now and then we do!