Animal Foods

Elk

The Eastern Pomo ate Elk which were shot with bows and arrows or surrounded by a large ring of hunters and killed with spears. These large animals were hard to kill and took strenuous efforts with much excitement and danger, especially from the bulls or cows with calves.

Deer

Deer were sometimes surrounded also, but were more often hunted by men who were specially trained and equipped to approach deer, disguised as buck deer wearing head and horns of killed animal. The deer was approached with caution, the hunter pretending to act like a feeding deer until near enough to use bow and arrow. Deer were also trapped in nooses and nets were made of very strong plant materials in order to hold such a large and struggling animal. Both elk and deer meat was smoked over a slow fire in large quantities to preserve it for future use, especially during the winter. The skins of both deer and elk were used in clothing and bedding.

Bears

Bears, especially grizzly bears, were rather rarely hunted because of the danger from them. However, some groups of Eastern Pomo did hunt bears, especially for the skins, while others avoided them almost entirely. When hunted, bears were either surrounded and speared, or killed by a powerful man with bow and arrow.

Mountain Lions

Mountain Lions were prized for both meat and skins. A good hunter might get one by stalking with bow and arrow. It ws difficult to get close enough for a spear.

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