Entitled; "American Indian man on horseback killing bison" lithograph designed by Augustus Kollner, 1850s. Although the Plains Indians hunted other animals, such as elk or antelope, bison was the primary game food source. Before their adoption of guns, the Plains Indians hunted with spears, bows and arrows, and various forms of clubs. The use of horses by the Plains Indians made hunting easier giving them the means and speed to stampede or overtake the bison. They reduced the length of their bows to three feet to accommodate their use on horseback. In the summer, many tribes gathered for hunting in one place. The main hunting seasons were fall, summer, and spring. In winter harsh snow and mighty blizzards made it almost impossible to kill the bison