The Shoshone Eagle Catcher —
by Michael Boyett

Description:

"The Shoshone Eagle Catcher" is a historic representation of an actual deed of certain tribe members of the Shoshone Indian tribe which was located in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, dating around the 1830s. This courageous and daring brave would try to capture the powerful eagle with his bare hands. The brave would scale the rocky cliffs where the eagles built their nests. He would then construct a cover of stones and brush and place fresh killed prey on top of the brush pile. The daring brave would hide under the brush and when the eagle would swoop down to eat the bait, the eagle catcher would reach up with his bare hands to catch the eagle by the leg! The wild fight was on! “If” the brave was able to capture the eagle, its tail feathers would be plucked and used as symbols of bravery among his tribe. The feathers were highly sought after as a sign of rank among all of the Plains tribes. Of course, the “Eagle Catcher” was forever highly esteemed and honored by his fellow tribesmen!