This brought two difficulties.

It prevented the buffaloes coming freely from the open plains into the rivers and sheltered spots.

The buffalo being a heavy animal is helpless in the snow.

The other difficulty was that the settlers could not go on the chase with freedom.

Unfortunately the Colonists were not able to use the snowshoe as could the lively Metis.
The settlers well nigh perished in seeking the camp whither the native hunters had gone to follow the buffalo.