Seeds and berries of almost every description were gathered, mainly
by the women of the camps. According to Lowie, among the neighboring
Paviotso, men often participated in gathering piñon nuts, a fundamental
element in the diet. Stewart’s data suggests that this was probably
true of the Ute. Sunflower seeds were boiled; acorns were gathered and
treated to render them edible. Fruits were exploited where available.
These products were gathered in large baskets, certain of them being
reserved for storage. Edible roots were dug up with the aid of a
digging stick. Other gathering devices included notched poles, throwing
sticks, and seed beaters.
Among the animals hunted, Lowie mentions buffalo, elk, deer, and
rabbits; eagles were snared from pits. In Mason’s _Myths_ moose and
bear are mentioned particularly. Possibly mountain sheep and antelope
should be included in this list. Small game was important, such as
quail and rodents, i.e., prairie dogs and squirrels. Stewart lists a
number of insects eaten as part of the diet, which were roasted and
parched then often stored.
Buffalo were surrounded by a circle of men and shot. Deer were
often driven into a deep pit between converging arms of a sagebrush
enclosure. Deer, antelope and buffalo decoy masks were often used.
Rabbits and other small game were hunted by driving them into nets of
bark fiber. Rodents were smudged out, and special blunt arrows were
often used in shooting prairie dogs. Mountain sheep were pursued until
cornered and then shot with arrows.
Fish were also undoubtedly a common article of diet. John Dewey, a Ute,
told Mason about taking fish by means of arrows and fish lines, while
Lowie mentions fish shooting and describes grass rafts for the Uintah,
and Ute fish weirs.
For all hunting and fishing, ritual observances and purification were
important. Gifford mentions ceremonial sweat houses in this connection,
while Stewart lists a number of important taboos.