1. Increased westward expansion and settlement: As European settlers moved westward, they encroached on buffalo habitat, pushing them further onto the Great Plains. This resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation, making it harder for the herds to thrive.
2. Hunting for subsistence and trade: Native American tribes traditionally hunted buffalo for food, clothing, and shelter. However, as European settlement expanded, hunting pressure increased. This was exacerbated by the rise of the fur trade, where buffalo hides were a highly sought-after commodity.
3. Introduction of firearms: The introduction of more powerful firearms like the repeating rifle allowed for more efficient and large-scale buffalo hunting. This significantly accelerated the decline of the herds as hunters could kill more animals in a shorter time.
4. Government-sponsored buffalo hunting: The US government, seeking to control Native American populations and force them onto reservations, actively encouraged buffalo hunting. In some cases, they even paid bounties for buffalo hides, effectively turning buffalo into a target for eradication.
5. Disease: While not as significant as the other factors, some researchers believe that diseases introduced by European livestock might have contributed to the decline of buffalo herds.
It's important to note that the decline of buffalo herds wasn't solely due to hunting. The combination of these factors, working together, led to a rapid and drastic reduction in buffalo populations. The buffalo were a keystone species, and their decline had a devastating impact on the ecosystems and cultures of the Great Plains.