What method did pioneers primarily use to settle in the Great Plains?

Pioneers primarily used raising cattle as a method to settle in the Great Plains due to the region's vast open spaces and grasslands, which were ideal for cattle ranching. The cattle industry became a crucial aspect of the economy in the Great Plains during the 19th century. The availability of land granted to settlers through acts such as the Homestead Act encouraged individuals and families to establish cattle ranches. This livestock farming not only represented a source of food and livelihood but also played a significant role in the development of transportation networks, including cattle drives to railheads for shipping.

In contrast, mining operations were more characteristic of settling in varied regions like the West where mineral wealth was located, rather than the Great Plains. Building large cities was a gradual process that occurred later, often after the establishment of agricultural communities, and traveling by riverboats was less feasible in the Great Plains, as it lacked significant navigable rivers. Thus, raising cattle stands out as the prominent method pioneers utilized to carve out their livelihoods and establish communities in the Great Plains.