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:
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.
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.
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.
Having the right gear can make or break your Wyoming hunt—and nothing is more important than your boots. After your firearm or bow, your boots may be your most critical investment. You’ll wear them every day in the field, and they need to perform. Cold, wet feet or painful blisters can ruin your experience, cut your time in the field short, and possibly cost you the opportunity to harvest an animal.
When choosing boots for a Wyoming big game hunt, there are a few essential features every hunter should look for:
Whether you're glassing for antelope in the open plains, spotting mule deer in the high country, or chasing elk with a bow, one thing remains constant: you’ll be spending a lot of time behind the glass. In Wyoming’s vast and rugged landscapes, quality binoculars give you a serious advantage. Here are three key tips for selecting the right binoculars for your next western hunt.
Shopping for binoculars can be overwhelming. Prices range from just a couple hundred dollars to several thousand, and every hunter seems to have their own opinion. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
This is the second installment in our mule deer hunting series, and today we’re diving into one of the biggest questions our guides get each season:
“Where do I even start when looking for mule deer?”
Whether you’re high above timberline or hunting the sagebrush flats, knowing where to look is critical. And in a place like Wyoming—where mule deer country is vast and varied—a solid strategy can make all the difference.
There’s no doubt that interest in western mule deer hunting has grown steadily over the past decade. From the high plains to alpine basins above timberline, mule deer continue to capture the imagination of big game hunters across North America.
At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we’ve seen this trend firsthand. With Wyoming offering some of the best and most accessible mule deer hunting in the West—from the rugged peaks of the Greys River to the open prairies—we’ve guided hunters through nearly every terrain mule deer call home.
When it comes to North American big game, few species are as iconic—or as challenging—as the mule deer. With bucks tipping the scales near 300 pounds and antlers pushing over 200 inches, these animals are the dream of many western hunters.
Mule deer are incredibly adaptable. From high alpine basins to sagebrush prairies, they thrive in a wide range of habitats. Here in Wyoming and Montana, our guided mule deer hunts span the open plains east of the Rockies to the steep terrain of the Greys River. No matter the location, one thing remains the same: success requires patience, preparation, and sharp glass.
The American pronghorn antelope is one of the most challenging animals to hunt in North America. Known for its exceptional vision and speed, the antelope is incredibly skittish and thrives in wide-open terrain. Getting close enough for a shot—especially on a trophy-class buck—takes patience, strategy, and skill.
We sat down with several of our seasoned SNS guides to get their #1 tips for successful antelope hunting in Wyoming. Whether you're chasing your first pronghorn or returning for a record buck, these insights can make a big difference in your hunt.
We receive a great deal of questions each year about the proper clothing to bring on a Wyoming hunt. While the elevation and terrain may vary drastically from our high country mule deer and elk hunts, to our open country antelope hunts, one thing remains true: on these high prairies and rocky mountain slopes, conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Hunters must be prepared for a wide range of conditions from hot and dry to freezing cold and wet.
With such a wide range of autumn weather possibilities here in the Rockies, how should hunters prepare? The key is dressing in layers that allow the hunter to adapt to daily changes in the weather. For example, instead of bringing one heavy winter jacket, we recommend bringing lightly insulated items that can be mixed and matched.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (WGFC) has released new hunting regulations, now in effect. These updates expand the list of legal calibers and ammunition, clarify requirements for archery equipment, and officially legalize the .17 HMR rimfire cartridge for turkey hunting.
These changes aim to simplify regulations while maintaining Wyoming’s commitment to ethical and effective wildlife management.
Another Wyoming hunting season has passed, and we want to thank all of our hunters for a fantastic year of elk, mule deer, and antelope hunting! As we finish organizing gear and closing up camps for the winter, we thought we’d share some helpful tips to ensure your hunting equipment stays in top condition and is ready to go next season.
Don’t put your gear away without giving it a little attention—mud, dust, and moisture can cause corrosion, wear, or damage during the off-season. With a few simple steps, you can keep your gear performing its best for years to come.
When it comes to preparing for a Wyoming pronghorn antelope hunt—or any western big game adventure—our guides emphasize two key areas: shooting practice and physical conditioning. In Part 1 of our series, we covered shooting tips. Now, we’ll share our top recommendations to help you get in shape and maximize your experience in the field.
Antelope hunting in Wyoming often means covering vast, open country with rolling hills, sagebrush flats, and uneven terrain. You might spot a buck from a mile away—but getting into shooting range requires speed, agility, and endurance.
For many hunters, a Wyoming pronghorn antelope hunt or any western big game adventure represents a major investment—and often, the opportunity of a lifetime. In this three-part series, we’ll break down the essential steps for preparing for a successful hunt.
Part 1 focuses on one of the most critical elements of hunting success: shooting practice.
Hunting season is just around the corner. Often clients struggle finding the time to make it to the shooting range. Most hunters are very experienced rifle hunters and today’s firearms and scopes are incredibly reliable, however there is always room for improvement. Here are a few tips to make sure you and your rifle are ready.
First up is to decide which rifle is the best choice for the hunt. Most hunters have an array of rifles to choose from so pick the rifle and caliber best suited for an ethical kill shot. The caliber and bullet choice will vary according to the animal you’re hunting. Do your research! If you’re not familiar with which caliber is best for the animal you will be hunting, please reach out to us for assistance.
You booked your hunt. You successfully drew your license. Your travel plans are made. And the long wait is over. The time has come, to pack up your gear! Each SNS hunt has its own specific packing list. This is a tried and true recipe for success. During SNS’ forty plus years, we have had plenty of experience fine tuning these gear lists. There is nothing frivolous on it or that should be omitted. If you pack all the items on the list, you will be ready for any hunting conditions, or weather, that Wyoming may throw at you. While it is possible that some of the items may not get unpacked or even used, they are all still critical. So please, read the information mailed to you, gather up each item and remember, SNS Outfitter & Guides knows the ins and outs of hunting in Wyoming and Montana. Do yourself a favor; Follow the list!
Each gear list is complied of clothing items, tips for boot selection, personal care items and hunting equipment. In this month’s video we walk viewers through one of our detailed gears list and give a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you prepare for your hunt here in Wyoming and Montana. We would like to encourage you to view the video on our YouTube channel to see all the examples of these critical items we have asked you to bring in your gear bag. We do want to recognize that purchasing all this equipment can really add up, but remind you to look at how much is invested in trophy hunting. Cutting corners to save a couple hundred dollars just doesn’t make good sense. If you don’t have everything on these gear lists, it could result in catastrophe and we by all means want you to feel prepared, properly equipped and to have a memorable and successful hunt out west with SNS Outfitter & Guides!