During a battle, many Plains men circled their enemy using only their shield for protection to demonstrate their faith in its religious and spiritual power. The shields had to be cared for in specific ways that would preserve their protective powers. Humped Wolf's shield could never be placed on the ground. When Humped Wolf was traveling and needed to rest, he placed his shield on a sagebrush plant.

Humped Wolf made another version of this shield which is now in the collection at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. A third version is in a private collection. Many other shields are also in collections around the world. Every shield belonged at one time to a Plains man who followed strict guidelines to preserve its protective power. For some traditional Plains Indians, the power of these shields is still alive and it is hurtful if the shields are not cared for properly.