[10] Estimates for the population sizes of most Native groups before European arrival in California have varied substantially.

[1] Since time immemorial, the Karuk resided in villages along the Klamath River, where they continue such cultural traditions as hunting, gathering, fishing, basketmaking and ceremonial dances.

[7] The Brush Dance, Jump Dance and Pikyavish ceremonies last for several days and are practiced to heal and "fix the world," to pray for plentiful acorns, deer and salmon, and to restore social goodwill as well as individual good luck.

These practices not only consisted of food harvesting from nature, but also the use of plant and animal materials as tools, clothing and pharmaceuticals.

The Karuk cultivated a form of tobacco,[7] and used fronds of the Coastal woodfern as anti-microbial agents in the process of preparing eels for food consumption.