Which animals did Plateau hunters pursue for food?

Plateau hunters pursued a variety of terrestrial animals for food, including deer, elk, bear, caribou, and various types of small game. To hunt these animals, they typically used bows and arrows, though they sometimes employed short spears. During the winter months, hunters often wore long, narrow snowshoes to assist in tracking their prey.1

In addition to these local species, some Plateau groups traveled to the Plains to hunt buffalo after the adoption of the horse, which allowed them to become more nomadic. While terrestrial hunting was an important supplement to their diet, it is important to note that fishing—specifically for salmon, trout, eels, and suckers—served as the most significant source of food for Plateau peoples.231