IntroductionThe Red River Métis began their organized bison hunts soon after 1820 (Gerhard, 1982). It didn't take long for the hunts to become an important part of Métis culture and heritage. This would end up being a major source of income for many decades. When the ice age glaciers began to melt, bison and other animals began to move onto the plains, the Métis then used this migration to their advantage and began to hunt them (Gerhard, 1982). Some First Nations, particularly the Dakota and Assiniboine, relied primarily on bison, using every part of the body and carcass (Gerhard, 1982). Just as others, such as the Ojibwa and Cree, used bison to integrate more diverse hunter-gatherer lifestyles (Gerhard, 1982). Figure 1. A Métis hunter. (Sheppard software, 2012) Hunt planning There were two hunts organized each year: a large one in the summer and a small one in the fall (Gerhard, 1982). For days before the hunt the Red River Settlement closed while preparations for the hunt were underway (Gerhard, 1982). After everyone had gathered, the rules and regulations for the hunt were solemnly established - and woe betide anyone who broke these rules, for they were taken very seriously (Gerhard, 1982). The Métis had a specific means of capturing bison when they entered the hunt, which was called “herd running” (Préfontaine & Young, 2003). Once they located a herd near the Métis, they would ride slowly toward the herd that remained calm when approached silently, then herd the herd together, once the signal was given, the hunters would charge, causing a stampede (Préfontaine & Young, 2003) I hunters went through the herd, selecting and shooting the best bison cows, the ones that were sticky Article ......ontaine & Young, 2003). Works Cited Young P, Prefontaine D. 2003. “Bison Hunting.” The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture. http://www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/00716. Accessed March 28, 2012. Brehaut, Harry B. “The Red River Cart and Trails: The Fur Trade.” 1971-2. Manitoba Historical Society.. http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/transactions/3/redrivercart.shtml Accessed March 28, 2012. Giannetta J. 2002. “The Bison Hunt.” Plains First Nations and the Bison.http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/firstnations/bison.html Accessed 29 March 2012. Unknown, pdf download by A. “The Bison Hunt”. museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgccms/expositionsexhibitions/batoche/docs/proof_en_buffalo_hunt.pdf Accessed March 29, 2012.Software, Sheppard “photo” http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/animals/mammals/bison. htmlAccessed in March 29, 2012