When a single hunter returns from the chase with more than is necessary for his own immediate consumption, the neighbors are entitled by custom to a share of it: they do not, however, ask for it, but send a squaw, who, without saying anything, sits down by the door of the lodge till the master understands the hint, and gives her gratuitously a part for her family." By the end of January, 1805, the weather had so far moderated that the explorers thought they might cut their boats from the ice in the river and prepare to resume their voyage; but the ice being three feet thick, they made no progress and were obliged to give up the attempt.

Their stock of meat was low, although they had had good success when the cold was not too severe to prevent them from hunting deer, elk, and buffalo.
The Mandans, who were careless in providing food for future supplies, also suffered for want of meat, sometimes going for days without flesh food.

Captain Clark and eighteen men went down the river in search of game.

The hunters, after being out nine days, returned and reported that they had killed forty deer, three buffalo, and sixteen elk.

But much of the game was lean and poor, and the wolves, who devour everything left out at night, had stolen a quantity of the flesh.