Under the terms of the treaties, the tribes ceded millions of acres of land to the federal government. However, the tribes retained certain rights that would enable them to provide for themselves. All tribes prohibit hunting for commercial purposes. Deer and elk meat are elements of feasts that are part of tribal ceremonies and other cultural events such as potlatches, funerals and naming ceremonies. These occur throughout the year.
Tribes harvest only a small number of animals for ceremonial purposes.
Tribes also depend on hunting to feed themselves. On some reservations unemployment reaches 80 percent. Indians hunt after the fall fishing season to provide food for their families. Deer, elk and other species provide important nutrition. The tribes set seasons based on the needs of their hunters, and take into prime consideration the ability of the resource to support harvest.