Comments on: Why A Visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta is a Must-See

By: Laurel

Laurel — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:46:30 +0000

In reply to Hammerson Peters. @Hammerson - Definitely one you don't forget!

By: Hammerson Peters

Hammerson Peters — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:44:07 +0000

Cool story behind its naming, eh?

By: BMW Motorcycle

BMW Motorcycle — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:20:26 +0000

I bookmarked your blog. Great posts. Thanks 🙂

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:11:33 +0000

Great article, I drive transport truck past this location and was always interested in the history of the Buffalo Jump.
I also head into your town Pincher Creek … I think the metal horses etc. are great heading into town.
It it someone local who made those?
Thanks for the history!

By: Barry Taylor

Barry Taylor — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:08:45 +0000

It is a fascinating place between lost and the middle of nowhere but the facility and exhibits are extremely well done. The natural cauldron of Sibbald Flats, although not a buffalo jump, was used as an ancient buffalo hunting ground.

By: Laurel

Laurel — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:47:45 +0000

@Jools – You know I wish I would have thought of prizes for the meaning of the name -good idea. Next time. Bus since you asked, the buffalo jump gets its name from a young boy who wanted to see the buffalo jump in action, but was too young to participate since it could be dangerous. He hid on the cliff right where the buffalo would jump so he would get a good view of it. His head was literally smashed into the rock. Not a nice story, but an accurate name for the buffalo jump. Can’t say I know of any buffalo jumps near Montreal, you’ll just have to come out west 🙂

By: Jools

Jools — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:28:43 +0000

Interesting stuff Laurel, thanks. No prizes for guessing the meaning of the place name here I guess. I don’t suppose there’ll be many of these near Montreal?

By: Laurel

Laurel — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:51:32 +0000

@ Christy – Glad that now at least a few more people know about buffalo jumps. The Blackfoot had a lot of respect for the buffalo and treated them as humanely as was possible at the time.

By: Christy @ Ordinary Traveler

Christy @ Ordinary Traveler — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:42:05 +0000

I had never heard of this before! Thanks for sharing, Laurel. I’m glad to hear they do try to kill them quickly if they haven’t died from the fall.

By: Laurel

Laurel — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:13:24 +0000

@adventures with ben – you learn something new every day 🙂

@John in France – very cool that it dates back to prehistoric times, I didn’t realize that!

@Inka – I guess I’ve been desensitized to it since my home town is so close to it and we grew up learning about it. In a lot of ways I find it less gruesome than things other cultures have done. The Blackfoot didn’t have rifles, but yes they did try and kill the buffalo with the broken legs quickly using primitive tools so the buffalo weren’t in misery for a long time

@Robin – what’s the lemming thing. I tried changing the justification of my text, but it didn’t change the margins. I’ve sent an email for help to my web designer so hopefully I can get this fixed soon. Thanks for the suggestion though, I appreciate your help.

@ Matt – I agree it is very creative. The largest buffalo jump in the world is in Montana, but if you haven’t been there, I’m not surprised you haven’t heard about it.