Who first used wildland fires to herd bison and other game animals?

The use of wildland fires as a tool for herding bison and other game animals is attributed to Native Americans. They developed this technique as a part of their hunting strategies long before the arrival of Europeans. By intentionally setting fires to the grasslands, Native Americans were able to create a more favorable environment for grazing animals, which in turn made it easier to guide these animals into specific areas where they could be hunted. This practice not only supported hunting but also contributed to the management of the land, helping to maintain the health of the ecosystems they relied on for sustenance.

In contrast, early European settlers, pioneers, and frontiersmen did not have the same knowledge or tradition of using fire in this way. Their approaches to land and resource management were often rooted in different agricultural practices and an unfamiliarity with the local ecosystems. Hence, the understanding and application of fire by Native Americans stand out as a key component of their sustainable practices in wildland management and hunting, illustrating a deep connection to and respect for the land that they inhabited.