We drove past buttes and desolate country deep into the prairies of Wyoming this summer where I discovered what an oddity it was to see my first antelope at a distance of about 25 yards! They are such beautiful, graceful, and intensely inquisitive creatures. Whitetails I've encountered at that range will usually flee quickly and not look back, but the antelope and mule deer we've seen out west have a curious habit of trotting off several yards and then turning around to look back and see if you are still there. I couldn't help but think what an edge that kind of behavior would give a bow hunter when the game was in season.
When my husband told me this summer that he was returning west to Bill, Wyoming for either a mule deer or an antelope hunt in the fall I was thrilled for him and a little envious of his upcoming trip. We had discussed hunting on the open range together for antelope on our earlier visit there this year and I was of the mind set that we would hunt Wyoming together, however that was not to be this particular season.
By mid-September the details were packed along with essential gear as well as new products which were to be field tested like the Americase gun and bow case, which held his Mathews LX bow and a dozen Red Head arrows safely for this trip. LaCrosse Recoil snake proof boots, and new binoculars from Carl Zeiss optics not to mention the newest two-way radios from Cobra would be put to a field test.
Previous to this hunt my husbands' Recoil snake proof boots arrived from Lacrosse. He put them on right out of the box and wore them the rest of the day without complaint. Now that is a comfortable pair of boots. So when packing for this trip there was no question those would be the boots to accompany him to Wyoming. In field testing outdoor products, it is usual to find yourself among the worst elements that exist. Boots are probably put to the worst test of all and that is to be expected. Certainly, it is a good testament to their construction and quality when they hold up and are well suited for such extremities.
Pre-purchased Wyoming archery tags finally came in the mail about three days before my husband Stacy and his friend headed out for the Laramie mountain range. There they had planned to meet with several other bow hunters and set up camp for the week long hunt of their dreams. The freedom of the open road shared with a fellow hunter and $260.00 worth of mule deer tags in each of their pockets carried the bow hunters toward their coveted destination of Bill, Wyoming and then another 20 miles to the east where they would hunt mulies with a spot and stalk approach along the 'ditches' of East Wyoming's rough terrain.
The Americase gun and bow case Stacy had packed his bow in, had protected it on the drive in from Missouri. The all aluminum gun and bow case is lined with a foam padding that safely holds a bow and up to a dozen arrows in place. There are two straps centered along the base for secure gun transport as well. The weight of the Americase gun and bow case is about 28 pounds and so sturdy that this case is recommended for airline flight as well. The case came complete with lock and key for security.
Americase has been in business since 1985 and as its name implies it is an American-made product. Though not waterproof, this product is rain resistant. Optional custom fabrication that fits most needs and a limited warranty goes hand in hand with the fact that this is a trusted product that has proven to satisfy customers who are everyday hunters as well as nationally known companies.
They arrived late afternoon at the primitive area designated for camping and began setting up base camp and raised a cabin tent. Then they unpacked their hunting gear and began to prepare for an evening hunt. The main purpose of their first activity was to locate the deer herds and plan their hunting strategy. They were surprised to see very few deer and herd after herd of antelope.
The hunters spent the first evening glassing and stalking alternate ditches with another great new product Stacy included in his hunting gear, a new lightweight mid-size binocular from Carl Zeiss. The 10 x 30 binoculars brought the few mulies that were to be found, into view. Glassing the prairie with the lightweight compact Conquest binoculars made the tedious search for mulies a bit easier. Earlier in the season, I used them for glassing for whitetail in anticipation of an archery season, and I join Stacy in his opinion that these are clear and allow good illumination in any light. This center focus brings quick easy adjustment and is equipped with a diopter adjustment as well. The specially designed neck strap doesn't put a strain on the neck of the wearer. In addition, the Conquest is available in 8x30 12x45 and 15x45 models from Zeiss. A competitive price with features like push pull eyecups, waterproof and fog proof, impact resistant, and a lifetime-transferable-warranty accompanies the sleek new Conquest binocular.
When they discovered few mulies and an over abundance of antelope, all thoughts turned toward the difficulty of the hunt among limited numbers of mule deer and grave disappointment set in. Last year's mulie numbers and the information they gathered via the Internet and over the phone led them to choose mule deer over antelope tags. They were upset to say the least but not overcome. The challenge for this hunt was a daunting one but they were up for this and besides they had a whole week to fill their tags.
One of the hunters who had hunted the area several years now knew what to expect and he briefly explained the 'ditches' and how they usually hunted mulies in this part of Wyoming. One of them would drive the truck and drop the other hunter off at the first ditch and drive a mile or two to the next 'ditch' park the truck and when the first hunter reached the end of the ditch he would walk to where the truck was parked, then he would drive the 4X4 to the end of the next ditch and pick up the next hunter. Some ditches are just shallow depressions but most ditches on the Wyoming prairie are deep gorges that are continually carved by rainwater run off.
Stacy's boots brought him through the ditches not only the first day but by the end of the second day when evening came and they were heading back to camp he was wearing them as well when he and another bow hunter walked within a few feet of a prairie rattler. That was not an intentional part of the field test, and during this event, he was not struck by this poisonous snake. Thankfully, that kind of testing is done at the factory so that Lacrosse can ensure 100% protection from all North American venomous snakes. That encounter at the end of a long day was a reminder of just why he was wearing those recoil snake proof boots. A local fellow warned the hunters that despite the fall season these snakes are still about and even after the snow falls they are out and resting on rocky clefts to absorb the suns' warmth. For this reason it would be wise to consider the use of Lacrosse Recoil boots even in the late fall and early winter months on the prairies of Wyoming.
While traipsing through miles of ditch and prairie, the hunters were often far apart. One particular butte that Stacy scaled was a couple miles long and his scout for mulies on that upper plateau turned into a hike, which discovered no game at all. The Cobra radios the hunters were using kept them in touch at that distance and surprisingly lasted through the week while on a 'battery saver' setting. There is a silent mode for stealth in approaching game and the compass settings are accurate once correctly calibrated. As to the range of communication on a flat prairie in Missouri or Wyoming there is about a four or five-mile range of audibility. NOAA weather radio can be accessed by simply turning on the unit and pushing the mode button until the NOAA icon appears then you push the channel selection until the station comes in for your local area weather. VibraAlert setting and clock alarm are two other features that this 22-channel Micro Talk PR 4250 WX two-way radio features.
With the wind in his face and the sun on his back Stacy walked the right side of the ditch he had chosen searching the shadows below that might offer a sheltered hiding place for a Wyoming mule deer. After descending the ditch to search for game he emerged some distance away and climbed back onto the level surface above the ditch only to find that he was now face to face with a large buck about 100 yards out front of him. Thinking quickly Stacy climbed back down into the ditch and scaled the ravine to come out several yards beyond the place where he spotted the buck only to find the mule deer down wind about another 75 yards with his head turned back looking directly at him. The behavior was a predictable one for a mule deer, one that was anticipated in his stalk but the deer just moved farther down wind of him than he expected. While Stacy relayed the story from his first hand experiences out west, his excitement about the hunt was unending. He said he would do this again but he would like to be in better physical condition to be more agile in and out of the ditches and walking through such rugged country. It was definitely worth the trip for him to see all the herds of antelope and even a few mule deer.
In so many words and unbelievable descriptions of the prairie in Wyoming I heard from Stacy about another hunter's success with a well-placed arrow that not only found its mark but dropped a mule deer right in its tracks. Unfortunately, in the excitement of harvesting and later processing the meat, no one took a photo of that mulie. They came home empty handed save for one of the bow hunters. The fact that he did not harvest a mule deer did not dampen the enjoyment that was brought home from his hunt out west. He still smiles each time he retells the story of that mule deer moving down wind to foil his hunt and he can't think of a better way to get out and field test products than to actually put them to use, especially out west while stalking mule deer.
A special thanks to Americase, Carl Zeiss, Cobra, and LaCrosse for the use of their products on this hunt and for the safety these products afforded both hunter and equipment. For more information, contact these manufacturers to see for yourself the quality of the above-mentioned products.
