In the 1880s, bison roamed the plains in great numbers of loosely knit
herds containing thousands of smaller, single-family units.  Herds were
not permanent, and migration and grazing patterns were unpredictable,
making the bison difficult to track.  Indians would hunt in small bands,
sometimes as few as three (as shown here).  They would fragment the herd,
and then, using spears or bow and arrow, kill only as many as they needed. 
Little of the bison was wasted-the Indians would use the carcasses 
brought back to the tribe for food, fuel, clothing, shelter, and tools.