Western Montana

On our way to Billings Montana we stopped at the Madison Buffalo Jump near Logan. As we traveled down the 7 mile long gravel road to the entrance we were treated to spectacular views of limestone cliffs that surrounded several farms. We arrived at the entrance and paid our fee of $5 to enter the park. We are from out of state, otherwise there is no fee for Montana residents.

We parked in the small parking lot and walked towards the interpretive center. The cliff loomed overhead as we read the history about the buffalo jump. There were seven different signs that each held a bit of history about the buffalo jump and the Indians who used the jump. The jump was used before Indians had easy access to guns and horses. Once a herd of buffalo was located by the scouts from the Indian tribe, the scouts would return back to the tribe and prepare for the hunt. Runners from the tribe would help lead the buffalo to the jump while they were covered in animal skins. The buffalo would get confused and follow the runner, who would lead them to the cliff. The runner would dart out of the way just before the animals fell off the cliff. By the time the buffalo realized they were at the edgo of a cliff it was too late as the animals behind them would push them over the cliff. Any injured buffalos were killed by the Indians waiting at the bottom of the cliff as no animals were wasted by the Indians. The meat was dried and used during the winter months where food was scarcest.

We continued to read about the buffalo jump learning that the jump had arrowheads dating back between 2000 to 200 years ago. This jump, as well as other buffalo jumps became less common in the 1700’s as horses and guns became a more common way of hunting. Archeologists dug up the site and found about 5 feet down bone fragments from buffalo along with artifacts such as knives, stone tools and scrapers. They also found teepee rings at both the top and bottom of the jump. There were paths all around that lead to the top of the jump, however they were only hiking paths, no vehicle path to the top like some other buffalo jumps. We chose not to climb to the top as it was 93 degrees that day and rattlesnake country. Even though we did not climb to the top we still found an artifact, what looked like an arrowhead chip. So even without sweating to death climbing to the top of the jump we found a bit of history, which we left it there as it is against the law to remove anything from the site.

If you would like to visit the Madison Buffalo Jump it is located off of I-90 about 7 miles from Logan Montana. You will turn onto Buffalo Jump Road and travel about 7 miles along a gravel road. The jump is open year round during daylight hours.