Elk feed grounds play a critical role in the health and sustainability of Wyoming’s wildlife. This became even more apparent after the brutal 2022-2023 winter, which saw record snowfall and harsh conditions. Without these feed grounds, the impact on elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope would have been devastating.
At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we firmly believe that Wyoming’s elk feed grounds must be protected and maintained for the future of both wildlife and hunting.
SNS Outfitter & Guides is proud to congratulate our very own Randy George, who was honored as the Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association (WYOGA) "Hunting Guide of the Year" for 2022.
Before the awards banquet, we sat down with Randy to learn about his journey into the guiding industry, what keeps him coming back, and one unforgettable hunt from his early years as a guide.
As they say, if you know, you know! That adrenaline rush mixed with joy, relief, and pride as you pull the trigger and watch everything unfold in front of you. The exhaustion and exhilaration—it’s a feeling SNS Outfitter & Guides knows well.
For 46 seasons, we've had the privilege of hosting top-tier hunting adventures in Wyoming & Montana. Time and time again, our clients leave with unforgettable memories of a hunt well conducted.
Have you ever considered a prairie dog shoot with friends or family? If you enjoy long-range shooting, challenging small targets, and spending quality time outdoors, then a prairie dog hunt is the perfect way to enjoy Wyoming’s wide-open spaces.
SNS Outfitter & Guides is excited to announce the return of our guided prairie dog shoots after several years of population recovery. Spots are limited, so now is the time to book your summer shoot!
The SNS office has been receiving calls and emails from concerned hunters who have heard rumors about changes to how the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) manages non-resident hunting licenses.
To set the record straight, we sat down with SNS Outfitter Sy Gilliland, a member of the Wyoming Wildlife Task Force (WWTF) and a key voice in shaping Wyoming hunting legislation. Below, you’ll find insights directly from Sy about Wyoming’s preference points, license fees, and upcoming changes.
Wyoming, like much of the West, is experiencing a tough winter with heavy snowfall. As one of the largest states in the country, our snowpack varies significantly from region to region. However, one thing is certain—this moisture is critical.
For years, Wyoming has battled a prolonged drought. Cattle ranchers have an old saying: “It takes a hard winter to break a drought.” Unlike other regions that receive steady summer rains, Wyoming relies on winter snowfall to replenish deep soil moisture, recharge creeks, and sustain wildlife.
In 1947, Havilah Babcock authored My Health is Better in November. Longtime SNS client and friend Terry Truhler can certainly relate. “I always feel better when I am hunting in Wyoming,” he says.
Terry, a retired outdoorsman from central Washington, now spends his days tying flies and tending to a handful of steers. But every year, he returns to Wyoming for his annual hunt with SNS Outfitter & Guides—a tradition spanning an incredible 26 years.
It’s booking season, and as usual, our phones are ringing nonstop. In recent years, we've seen a higher-than-ever demand for our hunts, with one request standing out—Mule Deer Hunts.
The Mule Deer is an iconic species, emblematic of Western big game hunting. Many hunters who grew up pursuing Whitetails dream of one day hunting Mule Deer in the wide-open country of the West. And when it comes to top destinations for Mule Deer, Wyoming is at the top of the list.
For decades, SNS Outfitter & Guides has been known as the West’s largest Pronghorn Antelope hunting operation. However, in recent years, our Wyoming elk hunting opportunities have been making waves, capturing the attention of hunters nationwide. Whether it’s our 46 years of professional hunting experience, the booming Wyoming elk population, or our recent acquisition of another elk hunting camp, SNS is on its way to becoming one of the top elk outfitters in the West.
With four different elk camps, we are excited to expand our offerings and provide diverse, high-quality Wyoming elk hunts. Each camp has unique features, and we’re here to help you find the perfect hunt for your next adventure.
The Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) is the only subspecies of elk found in Wyoming and is a staple of the state’s thriving wildlife population. Also known as Wapiti—a Native American term meaning “light-colored deer” or “white rump”—these majestic animals have made a remarkable comeback in recent decades.
Wyoming’s elk population is estimated at 113,000, the highest it has been in over 50 years. These impressive numbers reflect successful conservation efforts and the critical role of hunters in wildlife management. Today, elk can be found across most of the state, including regions where they were absent just 40 years ago.
We’re excited to announce that beginning in 2023, SNS Outfitter & Guides will officially take over operations at the incredible East Fork wilderness elk camp. During the 2022 season, our team will work alongside current operator Taylor Engum, helping with camp setup and teardown, learning the horse trails, and guiding elk hunters in preparation for a seamless transition.
By next fall, we’re confident we’ll have the knowledge, experience, and boots-on-the-ground understanding required to run this backcountry pack-in elk camp successfully.
Western hunting styles often raise questions for those more familiar with tree stands, blinds, or shooting houses—setups designed for ambush hunting over food plots or travel corridors. In those scenarios, it’s a waiting game: when your target presents a shot, the hunt is over.
But out west, a different approach dominates—and it’s called “Spot and Stalk.”
Interest in western big game hunting has exploded in recent years. With that increase in demand comes tougher competition—not just for licenses, but also for prime outfitter openings. After months of planning, and in many cases years of collecting preference points, you've finally drawn that coveted license. You beat the odds. Now, it’s go time.
It’s time to check your gear, dial in your rifle, and get your legs and lungs in shape. This guide will help you do just that.
Every year, new clients roll into camp with the same question:
“So, why is it called Camp Envy?”
To answer that, let’s take a walk down memory lane.
Every year, we receive questions about the gear we use on our horseback hunts—and for good reason. For many of our clients, it’s their first time participating in a guided horseback hunt, and the specialized equipment involved can seem a bit intimidating at first. To help ease that uncertainty, we’ve put together an overview of the essential and unique gear you’ll encounter on a hunt with SNS.
When we began offering horseback hunts over 35 years ago, our tack setup was simple—mostly used saddles that got the job done. But we quickly realized that client comfort plays a major role in the quality of a hunt. That’s why we made the investment to upgrade all of our tack.
SNS Outfitter & Guides is made up of some delightful and colorful characters. We hope to bring you a fun portrait of their personalities, experience, values and maybe even a few details about how they spend their time during the off season. We couldn’t think of any better character to begin these chronicles with than Ralph Hlebak.
Ralph is an expert in the industry! He has lived in the Jackson area since 1979, soaking up Teton County history and a bit of memorabilia throughout the years. He has over 40 years experience hunting and guiding in the Grey’s River area. As he would tell you, “I fell in love with that country and the big bucks down there.” Although he would dismiss any reference to it, Ralph is our resident expert for the territory. His knowledge, experience and tenure has earned him the rank and title of Camp Manager at the BoxY Ranch during Wyoming’s black bear, mule deer and elk hunting seasons.
The Hunting industry is currently booming. Many Americans are realizing that the finest organic meat in the world roams in the wild. In the year 2020 more than 3 million American’s who have never purchased a hunting license bought their very first one. This is incredible news for the hunting industry and our future generation of hunters. As a parent or grandparent you may be wondering how to build an interest in hunting within your own children and grandchildren. This is our journey to build kids who love the outdoors and will respect the sport like we do.
From the time our Krew was 11 months we would throw him in a backpack every chance we had to get him out breathing the fresh air and taking in all Wyoming had to offer. We took him on these little day trips until he was 3 and joined in on his first Antelope hunting trip. My dad made the day a special one by buying him his very first “knife” a wooden toy that made him feel like one of the guys. This trip is one Krew still remembers nearly 9 years later. I am a firm believer that positive experiences early in life can shape a child in ways that will impact them greatly in the future.
Over the past several years, concern about the spread and impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has grown significantly. As outfitters, hunters, and conservationists, we find ourselves navigating an increasingly complex issue with no known cure. CWD poses a serious threat to the health and future of Wyoming’s deer and elk populations.
So, what can be done—and what is being done?
After spending considerable time researching outfitters across Wyoming, I ultimately chose SNS Outfitter & Guides—and I want to share why.
As I was researching, I had a specific list of wants and needs in mind. First and foremost, I wanted an outfitter that specialized in big game hunting. My long-term goal is to build up preference points for future trophy hunts. In the meantime, I plan to pursue hunts for species like antelope that are more easily drawn and offer the chance to stock our freezer with wild, organic meat.
Choosing the right hunting outfitter can feel overwhelming—especially with thousands of options available around the world. It’s an important decision that can make or break your hunting experience, so it’s worth doing your homework.
Here’s what to consider when narrowing down your options: