I found this arrowhead when turkey hunting my families land a few years back.

I was crossing the creek and it was lodged in the mud. I keep it in the front pocket of my binocular harness always, and it’s been with me while harvesting turkey, bear, and deer. There is something special about holding a piece of native history, knowing it’s been shot from a bow or launched from a spear at wild game, while pursuing wild game myself.

I remember where I was crossing the river when I found it and started thinking about the hunters who had probably crossed that exact spot hundreds of years before me.

While there are likely others, here’s a brief snapshot of the peoples who hunted these hills before us.

Before European settlers, the most prominent tribe to have dealings in the region was the Osage Nation.

While there is little evidence of them having made permanent dwellings in the Ozarks, it is apparent they frequented this region as seasonal hunting grounds and trade networks.

Many places in the region bear the name Osage as an homage to the tribe that once cared for these lands. Back in 2023, the highest peak in the Ozark Mountains was renamed Wahzhazhe Summit, the traditional name of the tribe.

The Osage's sophisticated understanding of the land influenced early settler knowledge of hunting, fishing, and survival in the Ozarks. The Osage managed trade routes through this area, and their acts of diplomacy set a cultural and economic foundation that influenced the region long after their primary territory was forced westward.

While the Caddo primarily dwelt in southeast Arkansas, their broader influence across the state left a cultural impact on the region. Caddo trails and waterways connected regions across the state, likely influencing travel routes later used by other tribes and settlers.

They cultivated crops like maize, beans, and squash, influencing farming techniques used by later tribes and settlers throughout the state.

Renowned for intricate pottery, Caddo craftsmanship is highly valued and found in museums throughout Arkansas, including near Benton and Washington counties. Their pottery provides insight into early Indigenous life and artistry.

Although not indigenous to Arkansas, the Cherokee migrated to the state in the early 19th century after being pushed out of their ancestral lands in Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The U.S. government encouraged this migration through treaties, promising the Cherokee land in Arkansas Territory. This was before the tragic forced relocation event known as the Trail of Tears.

By 1817, a group called the "Old Settlers" established permanent dwellings in Northwest Arkansas, becoming the first people group to do so. They built farms, started schools, established government systems, and developed strong communities.

The Cherokee's resilience and self-governance influenced the broader development of the region. However, their arrival led to tensions with the Osage, who saw the influx of settlers as encroaching on their ancestral hunting grounds. Disputes often required mediation by U.S. officials, which underscores just how much the tribes had to wrestle with—not just settlers coming in but also each other—thanks to policies that forced them into tighter and tighter spaces.

Still, the Cherokee left a deep mark on this area, from early schools to farming methods that shaped the land. Their story is woven into the roots of the region.

It’s easy to walk these hills today and forget what came before. But when you find an arrowhead in a creek bed or catch the word “Osage” in the name of a local business, you’re reminded that this land has a history that goes back way before us.

Makes you wonder what pieces of history we’ll leave behind to found by the hunters who come after us.

It also underscores the importance of preserving this place so future generations have that chance.

— Kyle P.

The best way to get through the hottest part of summer, is to start prepping for fall.

Summer is the most nutritionally stressful time for deer, which changes what you should be doing on your property today to impact behavior come season.

So, we had Arkansas Game & Fish State Deer Coordinator Ralph Meeker break down the summer checklist every small property hunter needs before season opens.

A rural buck's core area alone can run 200+ acres. So how do you ensure your property provides the right amount of food, water, shelter, and space to become a regular part of their movement pattern?

From designating a sanctuary and hinge cutting the right trees, to understanding why deer remember your stand location down to 55 extra yards by season's end, Ralph gave us a science-backed playbook for holding more deer on limited ground.

Or listen on Spotify | Apple

Show your love for the Ozarks and grab some gear from our shop!

20% supports conservation work preserving the region’s mountains, rivers, and wildlife. So you can look good and feel good, too.

We’ll be back next week with more stories from the Ozarks.

Til then,
The Ozark Podcast