Bridger Antelope Trap facts for kids

The Bridger Antelope Trap is an ancient site in Uinta County, Wyoming. It is a special place where Native American people once hunted antelope. This trap was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It helps us learn about how people lived long ago.

What is the Bridger Antelope Trap?

This site is an archaeological discovery. It shows how Native American groups hunted antelope. They used clever methods to catch many animals at once. This trap is a big part of Wyoming's history.

How Ancient Hunters Used the Trap

Scientists studied the trap in the late 1960s. Dr. George Frison from the University of Wyoming led this work. They found that the trap was likely used before 1850. It might have been used by people from the Late Prehistoric Period.

The Native Americans had a smart way to hunt. They would guide a herd of antelope into the trap's long entrance. This entrance was made from juniper wood. It led to the main part of the trap.

The main trap area was at the bottom of a hill. It was shaped like a circle. Once inside, the antelope were driven around the circle. They would get tired, and then the hunters could catch them. This circular part was also built with juniper wood.

Size and Shape of the Trap

The Bridger Antelope Trap is quite large. It covers about 26 acres (110,000 m²). That's like many football fields!

Its entrance is shaped like an arc. It is about 0.25 miles (400 m) long. This long entrance stretches across a smooth valley. It runs from the northeast to the southwest.

The main trap area is an extension of this entrance. It has a diameter of about 700 feet (210 m). This shows how big and well-planned these ancient hunting tools were.

A Historic Site

The Bridger Antelope Trap is important for history. It teaches us about the hunting skills of early Native Americans. Because of its importance, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This helps protect the site for future generations.