The photo on the left has one hotspot.

Snowshoes were worn for the purpose of being able to get through the deep snow for hunting and fishing. Some traveling between villages also took place.

The snowshoes you see here are known as bear paws and modified bear paws.

The bear paw style (on left) gave good support on very deep snow. They are approximately 27 inches long and 17 inches wide.  The snowshoes are made of wood and rawhide. The wood has been shaped, tied, and then the rawhide is laced and attached to the wood. These are fairly new, early1900’s, as the binding is stamped with  “Minnesota Binding Co, Minnesota.

The modified bear paws (right) are narrower and longer, not rounded. They made walking easier because they are not a wide as the bear paw style. These snowshoes are made in the same fashion as the bear paws. This pair is also fairly new, early 1900’s.

Try this: stand up and place your feet apart so that they are even with your shoulders. Now walk forward, then try turning, keeping your feet apart. Not easy.