After the destruction of the Caddoan villages, the Osage were able to fully exploit the large buffalo herds of the plains region. Camped along the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River (present north-central Oklahoma) the Osage hunted the plentiful buffalo, which became their main source of food. Hunting took on a much greater level of importance while the Osage relied less on agriculture to fill their stomachs. The Osage spent increasing amounts of time away from the village hunting. By the late 1700’s, Osage men spent eight out of every twelve months hunting. Specific trips were made to hunt the bear and beaver that were valuable to European traders but traditionally had little worth to the Osage. Osage women increasingly neglected their garden