Winter

Winter homesites varied with each band. Some chose to winter at the higher elevations where they had plenty of fuel, food stores, and snow could be utilized for water. If the pinenuts were not a staple food, winter was generally spent at the foot of hills or in canyons. Caves were used as winter dwellings, or if no caves were available, a dirt covered shelter was made.

Small game was the chief source of protein. Rabbits were hunted individually or in drives. Other small game included woodrats, mice, gophers, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Some groups also ate lizards, snakes, chuckwalls, and tortoise. Tanned hides such as buckskin, antelope skin, and rabbit fur provided clothing for warmth and shoes. Cloth made from various plants such as sage, grass, and pine were used for skirts, shirts, hats, and leggings. Awls were made from bone or stone and used for serving and cooking. Baskets were made from a variety of grass, willow, and bark. These included winnowing/parching trays, burden baskets, and seed beaters, cooking baskets, water jugs, and cradleboards. These baskets were made in the wintertime and were lightweight so that they could be carried with the group when they traveled.

Winter was also a favorite time for the family for telling stories and songs.