How did natives hunt the passenger pigeon?

The passenger pigeon was once abundant in North America, with flocks numbering in the billions. Native Americans had several methods of hunting these pigeons, including using nets, traps, and bows and arrows.

Nets: Native Americans would often use large nets to catch passenger pigeons. These nets were made from plant fibers or animal skins and were typically suspended between two trees or poles. The nets were placed in areas where the pigeons were known to fly, and the Native Americans would wait for the birds to become entangled in the net. Once the birds were caught, they could be easily killed and collected.

Traps: Native Americans also used traps to catch passenger pigeons. These traps were typically made from wood or stone, and they were baited with food such as corn or berries. The pigeons would enter the trap in search of food, and then they would be unable to escape.

Bows and arrows: Native Americans also used bows and arrows to hunt passenger pigeons. The arrows were typically tipped with stone points, and the Native Americans would shoot the birds as they flew by.

Native Americans also used other methods to hunt passenger pigeons, such as using decoys and calling birds. These methods were effective in catching large numbers of birds, which provided food and other resources for the Native American communities.