Plenty Coups was born near Billings, Montana, in about 1848. At the age of 25 he became the chief of the Mountain Crows. He maintained friendly relations with the Americans and supplied scouts for the Sioux Campaign led by General George A. Custer in 1876. His men also took part in the 1877 Nez Perce operation.

In 1883 Plenty Coups went to Washington to discuss the possibility of payments being paid for Crow land. He also managed to bring an end to a brief uprising by Crow warriors in 1887.

Plenty Coups became the the principal chief of the Crows in 1904. During the First World War he urged young Crows to join the American armed forces.

Plenty Coups had eleven wives but no children died on 3rd May, 1932.