Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

Who used wildland fires to help herd bison and other game animals?

1. Pioneers

2. Native Americans

3. Frontiersmen

4. Settlers

The correct answer is: Native Americans

Native Americans utilized wildland fires as a strategic tool for herding bison and other game animals. This technique involved setting controlled fires in the grasslands, which would create a patchwork of burned and unburned areas. The resulting regrowth in the burned areas attracted herbivores like bison, while the smoke and disturbance caused by the fire would also encourage movement within the animal populations. By influencing the behavior of the game, Native Americans could effectively guide and concentrate herds into areas where they could be hunted more efficiently. This practice reflects a deep understanding of the ecosystem and its dynamics, showcasing the traditional ecological knowledge that Native Americans maintained about managing landscapes for sustainable hunting. The other groups mentioned did not employ this specific fire-based technique for hunting purposes in the same way, as their interactions with the land and wildlife were often different, focusing more on agriculture or different forms of exploration and settlement.