Native American Foods: Technology and Food Sources: Small Game

Acquisition of small game did not require the extraordinary coordination and organization of hunts for large game. Depending on locale, small game included raccoons, opossums, rabbits (western jackrabbits and eastern cottontails), squirrels, badgers, beavers, and muskrats. Small mammals were available year-round and could be found near permanent encampments. Both men and women trapped and killed small game with concealed pits, deadfall traps, snares, and nooses. In addition to spears and bows and arrows, atlatls (sling and spear apparatuses) worked well and were commonly used wherever wood for their manufacture was available.