Once the Plains Indians had acquired the horse, pursuit of the buffalo came to dominate tribal life. Scouts were sent out to locate the wandering herds, whose whereabouts were unpredictable. When a herd was discovered, prayers were offered, preparations were made, and men and horses were dispatched to the hunt. Women followed, their task to break and move camp near to the hunting grounds. The hunt itself was dangerous and dramatic. The usual method was the “surround,” in which the herd was almost encircled, then allowed to run while mounted hunters detached the animals from flank and rear with bows and buffalo-lances. Later arrivals butchered the kill, and packed and transported it to the campsite. There, every part of the animal was put to use — its flesh for food; its hide for clothing, shoes, tipis and blankets; its bones for implements and ornaments; its horns for cups, ladles and spoons; its sinews for thread and bowstrings; and even its dung for fuel. Meat not consumed immediately was preserved by drying or “jerking” or by mixing with wild berries and fat to be stored for emergencies as “pemmican.”

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