Stay in Bed and Wait for Elk
By Jim Beyer
A bit like Goldylocks, Steve lay in the elk’s bed and waited. Steve said he normally “spot and stalks” but hunkering down in the elk’s own bed seemed was a much better plan.
Steve Lamb grew up in Riverton, but moved to Casper to work for Peterbilt of Wyoming as a diesel technician. His hunt for employment encouraged him to look for new places for game too. Steve found a piece of BLM and state land that was almost surrounded by private property and seemingly inaccessible.
Without giving up too much information, Steve said that he went to Game and Fish and the BLM to acquire GPS coordinates of the boundaries. With those in hand, Steve could hunt the government property “all legal and legitimate.” This sort of planning, attention to detail and careful observation paid off.
Steve started hunting at age 14 and is 38 years old now, so he has plenty of experience and experiences. He rattled off a list of animals he harvested with this Bowtech Tribute bow, Easton Axis arrows and American Liberty broadhead points, including a buffalo, many antelope and a record-sized mule deer. The latest is a huge non-typical elk which green scored at 398 5/8. Steve said the horns measured 410 inches and the rack will be in the top 15 of the nation according to Pope & Young. Steve took the elk at the opening of Archery season on September 1, so he eagerly waits for the antlers to cure before it can be officially scored.
Following a couple of trips to the BLM for maps and coordinates, Steve and a friend spent two days scouting the area. He found an elk herd by accident while hunting for deer in 2005, so he anticipated a successful hunt this year. They videotaped the herd of over 40 elk before picking the animal they wanted to take.
On opening day, Steve found where the herd bedded down. A bit like Goldylocks, Steve lay in the elk’s bed and waited. Steve said he normally “spot and stalks” but hunkering down in the elk’s own bed seemed was a much better plan. The whole herd walked down the draw in the early morning light.
The bull sniffed some scent Steve left on a tree and then trotted over to Steve’s hiding place. The hunter rose, drew back the string and let fly with his super-slim arrow at a range of 16 yards. The bull dashed 200 feet before his legs failed him and he fell dead.
People do not understand how simple archery is, Steve said, it has worked for 10,000 years. However, like bow hunters of past centuries, Steve and his buddy, Morgan Young had to pack the animal out on their backs. Taking two trips each, they spent 10 hours carrying the quartered elk back to the road. Morgan and Steve returned to the area late in September. They hope to carry out a cow elk for Morgan. It is only fair.
A few years ago, Steve took the 377th largest mule deer according to Pope & Young. It scored at 172 7/8. He shot the animal from a distance of six yards after sneaking up on him. Steve honed his outdoor skills as a boy by walking the hills and draws of Fremont County while looking for arrowheads and shed antlers. Steve said he usually fills his tag within two or three days after the start of the season.
Steve likes his Bowtech Tribute bow for many reasons, including the company donates the sales proceeds to the families of fallen and wounded servicemen and women. Check out their web site at http://www.bowtecharchery.com.
