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 the West's most authentic wilderness elk hunting, you'll want to ...

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...

Beginning in 2026, SNS Outfitter & Guides will offer a rare opportunity in Wyoming elk hunting. Hunters will be able to pursue rutting bulls with a rifle during the peak of the September rut. In most Wyoming units, the height of the bugling season is reserved for archery. This hunt gives rifle hunters the chance to experience bulls that are vocal, responsive, and actively searching for cows. For many rifle hunters, this is something they have never experienced. 2026 Hunt Dates September 20 -...

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'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—sitting with tripod sticks, prone with a pack, a...

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.&nb...

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, 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.

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?

This week, we’re giving you a virtual tour of one of our most popular and scenic hunting camps in northeast Wyoming. Known among hunters as “Camp Envy”, this location is more than just a beautiful basecamp—it’s home to one of the best Wyoming antelope and mule deer combo hunts we offer.

A Landscape Made for Trophy Bucks

Set in north-central Wyoming, the surrounding terrain is a striking blend of sagebrush hills, pine-covered plateaus, grassy plains, and juniper-lined canyons—ideal habitat for mature mule deer and pronghorn antelope.

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.

Key Boot Features for a Big Game Hunt

When choosing boots for a Wyoming big game hunt, there are a few essential features every hunter should look for:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome to SNS Outfitter & Guides classroom. Today, our topic at hand is Wyoming Preference Points. This subject ranks high on our list of Frequently Asked Questions so we wanted to provide you with some “cliff notes” and help answer your most burning questions.

The world of hunting has changed a lot over the years. Back in the day, a person could go out and purchase a license over the counter in just about any area they would like to hunt. In today's world however, with the increased demand to hunt out west, the number of applicants has sky rocketed, making drawing a license far more difficult. The Wyoming Game and Fish offers problem solving solution, giving non-resident hunters the opportunity to purchase “Preference Points” for big game animals such as Antelope, Elk, Deer, Moose & Big Horn Sheep.

The Majestic Rocky Mountain Elk: Wyoming’s Premier Big Game Species

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.

Elk Population Growth in Wyoming

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.

Plan Your 2024 Wyoming or Montana Hunting Adventure with SNS Outfitter & Guides

Last year, we shared our upcoming hunting availability with our loyal newsletter subscribers before releasing it to the public. This insider access gives our subscribers first dibs on booking their dream hunts. Keep in mind that our availability is highly fluid during this busy season, and spots fill up quickly. If you’ve been dreaming of a true western hunt in Wyoming or Montana or have been collecting preference points, SNS Outfitter & Guides has you covered. Without further ado, here are your options for the 2024 hunting season:

2024 Bull Elk Hunts

Wyoming’s elk hunting is thriving! The elk population continues to grow yearly, but increased demand has made licenses harder to draw, requiring more preference points.