Why did mounted Plains hunters initially prefer bows and arrows to early firearms?

Mounted hunters on the Great Plains initially preferred bows and arrows over early firearms primarily because bows offered greater accuracy during the mounted hunt.1

While early guns were eventually adopted as their accuracy improved, the initial preference for the bow and arrow was a practical choice for equestrian hunters who needed precision while maneuvering on horseback to keep pace with buffalo herds. In contrast, early firearms were often less reliable and accurate in such dynamic conditions. As firearm technology advanced, however, they became highly valued for their increased firepower, which allowed hunters to maintain a safer distance from charging animals.12