The Hunting Party
By Gary Dee Wingo
In 1840 there were some 30/70 million Buffalo on the American Plains.
Plains tribes depended on them for their food, clothing, and shelter.
They took only what they needed and asked forgiveness for having to
take it. The "Indian Wars" became more aggressive after the Civil War.
One government strategy for dealing with the "Indian Problem" was to
open hunting for 'sport' and Buffalo were slaughtered just for the
value of their hides, leaving the rest to rot. By 1889 there were less
than 1000 Buffalo. Hunting parties became fruitless, and a way of life
soon ended.
