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I was surprised as hell when I saw a scene in a movie that depicted buffalo jumping from a cliff - one after the other - hundreds of them. I did some research and found out it did happen from time to time. Maybe it's like the reason whales beach themselves - they lose their senses or are sick? We were in California last week and as I walked on the beach there were 20+ seals just laying there - beached. I asked a lifeguard and he said they were eating sardines that had eaten some nasty algae bloom and it paralized their nervous systems. They euthanized the seals on the spot and buried them where they lay.

Maybe one of them had an epiphany, started a religon and no one liked to dissent.

thank goodness that sheep avatar I wanted wouldn't work

Stop bleating, Theia.

My theory is they'd been conned by the photographer into thinking that Gary Larson was signing autographs down in the village.

Scrat wrote: I have read of instances where Indians and prehistoric people used to run Bison off of cliffs. A bison in a herd simply follows the ass in front of its eyes, it doesn't have a very good view of what's ahead.

Much like a Bush voter (I'm sorry I had to get that in ). But anyway if you get the whole herd of beasts running in one direction even if the leaders realize they are heading for a cliff edge the weight of their brotheren pushes them over and they just keep coming because they can't see what is up ahead.


Very true, Indians used to scout out plains that ran long and wide and at the end had a cliff. They would have indians on horses, indian lined up in 2 rows on the top of the cliff in lanes like a bowling alley. Those on horses would litterally chase the buffalo down the "lane" as the indians on the sides whooped and hollered to increase the rush and the buffalos would run over the cliffs. At the bottom of the cliffs were the women and children and as soon as the buffalo hit bottom they were there to carve up the dead beasts to cart off for their meals and tools. It is said that no part of the buffalo was ever wasted.

The reasong they did these massive kills....this was the only way to take down such a large beast at the time. The only had arrows, not guns at that time. It really sounds like an impressive event. Many members of the tribe participated in this event and it only happened about 2 times a year to replenish their food and supplies.

We have an interpretive site about 1.5 hours away that is located on an actual kill site. Very interesting to go see.

theia wrote: thank goodness that sheep avatar I wanted wouldn't work


Hey now - what do have against sheep? :wah:

minks wrote: Very true, Indians used to scout out plains that ran long and wide and at the end had a cliff. They would have indians on horses, indian lined up in 2 rows on the top of the cliff in lanes like a bowling alley. Those on horses would litterally chase the buffalo down the "lane" as the indians on the sides whooped and hollered to increase the rush and the buffalos would run over the cliffs. At the bottom of the cliffs were the women and children and as soon as the buffalo hit bottom they were there to carve up the dead beasts to cart off for their meals and tools. It is said that no part of the buffalo was ever wasted.

The reasong they did these massive kills....this was the only way to take down such a large beast at the time. The only had arrows, not guns at that time. It really sounds like an impressive event. Many members of the tribe participated in this event and it only happened about 2 times a year to replenish their food and supplies.

We have an interpretive site about 1.5 hours away that is located on an actual kill site. Very interesting to go see.


This is the same info I found. I never knew it until I saw it in a movie. THe Indians didn't do it for sport - they used the entire animal. When I read accounts of the massive herds that once roamed I'm sure a hundred or so were not missed. I like the comment by Scrat that they only see the rear end of the animal in front of them but have to disagree with the political comment - nice try Scrat.

nvalleyvee wrote: Hey now - what do have against sheep? :wah:


Nothing at all nv but after reading this thread I could have ended up with my flock disappearing and an empty avatar! And that would have looked a bit silly.

Oh, and I hope you didn't allow yours to read the content. You know what sheep are like. :wah:

(I didn't realise how easy smilies were to do. Now I have to master bold and underline)

nvalleyvee wrote: This is the same info I found. I never knew it until I saw it in a movie. THe Indians didn't do it for sport - they used the entire animal. When I read accounts of the massive herds that once roamed I'm sure a hundred or so were not missed. I like the comment by Scrat that they only see the rear end of the animal in front of them but have to disagree with the political comment - nice try Scrat.


Fortunately after nearly wiping out all the buffalo and bison on the plains they were put onto the "animals at risk of becoming endangered" list. And for years just outside of Banff National Park, there was a buffalo paddock where you could drive through and see these great beasts, however it was rare you ever saw them as they hid. I am happy to report they have since closed down the Paddock and released and re-introduced the mighty buffalo and Bison to the wilderness of our prairies. And who says human intervention does not work.