Come try your hand at an ancient form of hunting – the atlatl, a 10,000-year-old weapon that predates the bow and arrow. Montana State Parks staff and Jim Ray, with 20 years' experience, will provide visitors to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park with the opportunity to learn about and practice with this unique weapon.

Visitors also will have the chance to shoot primitive bows and arrows and to throw tomahawks.

Billy Maxwell will be demonstrating First Peoples traditional skills. Billy is a former farm kid turned Cultural Anthropologist who contributes to his Facebook group Prairie Material Studies. If you have ever looked upon the Bull Boat in our visitor center, he was the craftsman of that museum displayed item.

George Bryce from Helena, MT will be demonstrating flint knapping during the event. His collection of “points” is worth your time to view and discuss. Don “Doc” Woerner, D.V.M. from Laurel, MT will bring his unique bison and mammoth bone display both days of the event. Both of these presenters are great resources of information and will be happy to converse and answer your questions about their subject matters.

Join Park staff and volunteers to learn more about these weapons and other traditional skills. Great fun for all ages!

When: Annual Mammoth Hunt is held Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th, 2026 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days.

Cost: Montana residents are entitled to free daily entrance to all State Parks through payment of vehicle registration fees. Out of state vehicles and commercial use visitors are required to purchase a park pass for entry to the park.

For more information contact Andy Keller, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park Ranger, (406) 866-2217 or firstpeoplesbuffalojump@mt.gov