Wilderness Bugles, Big Bulls & a Great 2025 Season Recap Wyoming's wilderness elk season delivered in a big way this fall and this year's archery hunts once again reminded us why so many hunters dream of chasing bugling bulls in September. For our 2025 season recap, we sat down with SNS Camp Manager, Hunter Base, to talk about elk behavior, horseback pack-in camps, the reality of guiding these hunts, and what makes this experience so special. If you're looking for firsthand insight into...

Wyoming is home to more than 120,000 elk, making it one of the most significant elk populations in North America.   Managing that herd across an entire state is both complex and controversial, and one of the most debated issues is the winter feeding of elk. For those who are unfamiliar, Wyoming currently operates 22 state elk feed grounds, and the federal government manages the well-known National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole. While western Wyoming offers vast amounts of healthy summer a...

At SNS Outfitter, we're always looking for better ways to stay connected with our community and share what's happening across our hunts, camps, and seasons. As we move forward, we're making a small shift in how we deliver updates, one that allows us to share more meaningful information in a clearer, more consistent way. You'll still see highlights and moments shared on social media, but our most consistent updates will now live in our Hunting Headlines newsletter. This format allows us to provid...

Wyoming & Montana Hunting Season Recap 2025 | SNS Outfitter & Guides It's been another incredible year in the West. From the high-country wilderness to the wide-open plains, 2025 reminded us why we chase these adventures season after season. The bugles were loud, the prairies were alive, and the SNS crew was right there for every moment — riding, guiding, and celebrating the hunt. This is the story of our 2025 season… and it's one for the books. A New Chapter in Wilderness Elk Hunting We...

Wyoming Backcountry Elk Camp Experience "Somewhere in the vast Western Wyoming backcountry, time slows. Brisk morning air, steep trails, dusty horse hooves, the bugle of a distant bull elk, snow capped peaks, and rivers divide. The kind of hunt your grandpa remembers isn't just a memory, it's alive, waiting for you to experience it for yourself." SNS Outfitter & Guides is proud to offer traditional wilderness elk hunting adventures. We invite you to experience the rhythm of the wilderness, t...

SNS Outfitter is proud to announce an exciting and unique hunting opportunity. Most elk areas in Wyoming reserve the September elk rut for archery hunting. Starting in 2026 we will be offering an outstanding September elk hunt. Our hunters can now hunt with a rifle during the peak of the elk rut. Adding to our current two wilderness camps a third camp with a rifle season starting September 20 will be available for our hunters. Elk hunters agree, the thrill of hunting elk during the bugle season ...

For more than 40 years, SNS Outfitter & Guides has been leading unforgettable Wyoming elk hunting experiences. Over those decades, we've watched hunting evolve from the gear and travel preferences to the type of experiences hunters crave most. These days, more and more hunters are turning back the clock and seeking a classic wilderness elk hunt, the kind of adventure Grandpa used to talk about. The Shift Toward Wilderness Hunts Back in the 1990s, private land elk hunts were the big trend. Co...

If you are joining us for a hunt in Wyoming or Montana,  chances are you will be spending time at elevations much higher than what you are used to. Casper sits at about 5,150 feet above sea level and is home to most of our antelope hunts along with some of our deer hunts. Many of our elk camps sit between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, and in some areas we hunt as high as 9,500 feet. For hunters coming from lower elevations, that change can be a shock to the body. Knowing how to prepare and what to ...

Welcome to the West; where elk bugles echo through the timber, mule deer slip through the sagebrush, and antelope race across the open prairie. For 48 years, SNS Outfitter & Guides has led big game hunters into the wild beauty of Wyoming and Montana, helping them turn dreams into unforgettable memories. Whether you're booked for a fall hunt or simply living for the moment you finally get out West, this video brings the action, scenery, and spirit of hunting season straight to your screen. El...

At the start of last fall's elk season, the SNS Outfitter & Guides board of directors saddled up and rode into one of our most storied wilderness elk camps, affectionately known as "Sheep Trap".   This trip wasn't about hunting, it was about experiencing, firsthand, the very same journey that our clients make when they step into the Washakie Wilderness with our team.  Seven miles of easy trail, lined with sweeping views and abundant wildlife, carried them into camp where adventure,...

What You Need for Western Big Game in Wyoming & Montana Have you ever wondered what optics you actually need for a western big game hunt? From elk in the timber to antelope on the prairie, success starts with having the right glass.  In this SNS Outfitter Classroom session, Miss Heather calls in a "substitute teacher". Meet Jesse Burd of Rocky Mountain Discount Sports. Jesse breaks down the essentials: binoculars, rangefinders, and spotting scopes. What to look for, how to use them...

Written by Sy Gilliland, Founder SNS Outfitter & Guides  The stars seem to be aligning for Wyoming to hold a historic grizzly bear hunting season in the very near future. Several key Wyoming leaders have been appointed to high-level roles within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), signaling a possible shift in grizzly bear management. Among them is Karen Budd-Falen, a prominent Cheyenne attorney with extensive experience in public land iss...

Shooting Skills Every Western Hunter Needs If you're heading out West for your first (or next) big game hunt, your rifle skills matter more than you might think. A clean, ethical shot often comes down to how well you've practiced—and practiced right. In this video, SNS Outfitter & Guides walks you through real-world shooting positions that mimic the conditions you'll encounter in the field. Heather, our Director of Media & Marketing, demonstrates the typical western shooting setups—sitti...

Time flies when you're doing what you love. On June 15, 2025, we celebrated 15 years of Ambrosia at SNS Outfitter and Guides. She started with us on June 15, 2010, as a part-time bookkeeper and office manager. At the time, her kids were just 10, 8, and 5. What began as a flexible position for a young mom quickly turned into a full-time role. Somewhere along the way, she made the job her own. Today, all three of her kids are grown and out in the world, and she's now a proud grandma to a one-year-...

What happens when a 20-year chapter comes to a close in one of Wyoming's most iconic hunting regions? In this video, SNS Outfitter & Guides founder Sy Gilliland sits down to reflect on two decades of outfitting horseback elk hunts, trophy-class high country mule deer pursuits, and unforgettable Wyoming black bear adventures in the legendary Greys River. From the Box Y Lodge to Jackson Hole Outfitters camp, Sy recounts the moments, the hunters, and the wilderness that shaped this chapter of S...

Where do you go to chase the world's most impressive red stags? For antelope hunters, the answer is right here in Wyoming. For red stag hunters, it's New Zealand! This past April, I had the incredible opportunity to explore New Zealand's South Island —and let me tell you, it's every bit as awe-inspiring as the photos suggest. From glacier-capped peaks and lush rainforests to crystal-clear rivers and rugged ocean coastlines, the scenery alone is worth the trip. But when you add in the chance to h...

A pronghorn antelope hunt out West is a must-do for any serious hunter.  Whether you're looking to chase a mule deer, pronghorn antelope, or elk, these hunts bring together incredible opportunities, stunning scenery, and top-tier accommodations. These speedsters are one of North America's most unique big game species, and Wyoming's wide-open landscapes offer some of the best opportunities to pursue them. With endless prairie habitat and thriving antelope populations, a spot-and-stalk hunt w...

The May 31st deadline to apply for Wyoming hunting licenses is right around the corner-and if you're still looking to get a hunt on the books for this fall, now's the time to move. We have a limited number of antelope hunts available for those with 5 or more preference points. These are solid hunts in proven areas with high success rates. You can view details on the website, then give us a call for available dates and specifics. If you don't have enough points, there's still a chance to dra...

Your Best Chance at a Wyoming or Montana Antelope Hunt We're back in the SNS Outfitter & Guides classroom for our next installment; Random Antelope Application Program. If you've ever dreamed of hunting pronghorn antelope in Wyoming or Montana but weren't sure how to navigate the draw system, you're not alone. With demand at an all-time high, getting a license can feel like a challenge—but that's where SNS Outfitter & Guides comes in. Our Random Antelope Application Program gives hu...

Pronghorn Antelope fill the Wyoming plains

Wyoming has long been recognized for its abundant Pronghorn Antelope population. In fact, the Cowboy State is home to the largest population of antelope in North America. While states like Arizona and New Mexico are known for producing impressive trophy antelope, Wyoming consistently leads in the number of "Book" antelope harvested. However, Wyoming's antelope herds are susceptible to population fluctuations. Factors such as harsh winters, disease outbreaks, habitat changes, and human encroachme...