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...

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.

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.

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:

Written by Bill Brown

In a world where people are sensitive, protective, and judgmental, hunters are often questioned as to why they hunt. Does it not bother them to take the life of a wild animal? The truth is, it’s not that simple.

Let’s Go! Your Final Countdown to Hunting in the West

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, 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.

Saddles Made for Comfort and Stability

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.

Written by Lindsey Wheeler

Whenever people find out that my dad is Sy Gilliland one of the first things they ask me is, “How many big animals have you killed?” I always look, smile, and say, “One.” This answer always astonishes people and they generally go on to ask silly questions like: Are you a bad shot? Do you not like hunting? You mean one a year? WHY? The answers to these questions are simple. No I am actually a pretty good shot, I love hunting, and no I mean one in my entire life.