The primary human activity in the Great Basin before European settlers was hunting and gathering.

Before European settlers arrived, the indigenous peoples of the Great Basin, including the Shoshone, Paiute, and Ute, primarily practiced hunting and gathering as their way of life. They relied on the region’s natural resources, hunting animals such as deer, rabbits, and bison, while gathering plants, seeds, berries, and roots for food. Due to the challenging, arid environment, these groups were nomadic, moving seasonally to follow available resources. Their deep understanding of the land’s ecosystems allowed them to sustainably survive and adapt to the Great Basin’s harsh conditions.