American Buffalo

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Part 1 of Ken Burns latest documentary, the American Buffalo, aired on PBS last night. One of the factors leading to the decimation of the buffalo population was killing them solely for the hide. One of the tactics used by native Americans, and later by white hunters, for killing was to drive them over a cliff to plunge to their death.

That tactic is what my signature picture is about. Here is a larger copy to make it more readable.

Bison Jump 3.jpg

[redrazor]

We watched it last night too. Excellent and informative!

[Bangorbob]

I've watched a few of Ken Burns stuff on PBS. I think he does such a great job.

[StalkyTracker]

Chugwater, Wyoming

From Wikipedia:

"Etymology of the town's name

Some historians hold that the name "Chugwater" is derived from a Mandan account of a bison hunt. According to this narrative, a chief was disabled during the hunt and his son took charge of the hunt or "buffalo jump". Under his direction, hunters drove the bison over nearby cliffs; when the animals reached the ground below, a sound of "chugging" was heard by the hunters. The story concludes with an etymology: since a stream was near the base of the cliffs, the site of the stampede has been called "the place" or "water at the place where the buffalo chug."

[JayBros]

Stephen Ambrose's book, Undaunted Courage, has a fascinating to comprehend description of the Lewis and Clark expedition's first exposure to the buffalo, how one afternoon as they set up camp a herd began passing by and the following morning the same herd was still passing the camp.

[Bob L]

Visited the Vore Buffalo Jump site while in SD and WY a few years back, very interesting research site. https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/b...-historic-site

[computek]

Nicely done documentary. I enjoyed it. Also very sad. My late wife was 1/4 Cherokee.

[Yabbadabbadoo]

Came across that the other night, didn't have time to watch it so I set it to record the series. Glad to hear it's pretty good. I've liked Ken Burns' work so far.
I remember learning about the buffalo jump hunting method back in US History in high school. Back in the 70's lol...

[Bangorbob]

I wonder if they teach that kinda stuff in school anymore? That's where I learned about it also. I'll leave the education stuff alone for now.

[MCole]

Drove across Canada years ago. In Alberta there is a World Heritage Site called Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. The bottom of the cliff where the Buffalo were driven to is now about a quarter mile from the cliff now. There is a Visitors Center there and displays showing real stuffed buffalos. Very cool site. If in Alberta Canada go see this World Heritage Site.