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.
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.
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:
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund—and the generous support of those who have donated—a major victory was achieved last month in preserving nonresident hunting license allocations in Wyoming.
Senate File 0069 (SF0069) proposed a drastic cut to nonresident license allocations for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and grizzly bear, slashing them to just 10%. If passed, this would have cut nonresident moose tags by half and reduced bighorn sheep and mountain goat opportunities by nearly 60%.
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.
Update on the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund (WHDF)
A few months ago, we shared the launch of the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund (WHDF)—a vital initiative created to protect hunting access, educate the public, and conserve wildlife habitat throughout the state. Since then, this grassroots effort has gained strong momentum thanks to the generosity of SNS Outfitter & Guides clients and other dedicated hunters.
In Wyoming, non-resident hunters play a vital role in supporting the state’s wildlife and hunting heritage. From helping meet harvest quotas to providing millions in tourism dollars and covering a major portion of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s budget, these hunters are essential to conservation and game management in the Cowboy State.
But until recently, sportsmen didn’t have a strong voice in the legislative process. That’s why the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund (WHDF) was created.
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.
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.
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.
A very important item on the gear list for your hunt with SNS Outfitter is without a doubt the right boots for the hunt. A very important item on the gear list for your hunt with SNS Outfitter is without a doubt the right boots for the hunt. In my opinion this is the second most important item to get it right when preparing for your hunt. Obviously, the right firearm or bow matched with the right ammo or arrows would rank as #1 on the list. The type of boots we suggest you bring varies on ...
As the temperatures start to cool down out West, with nighttime lows dipping into the 50s, we can sense that fall is just around the corner. While summer isn't over yet, it's time to start preparing for the upcoming hunting season. Now is the perfect time to finish dialing in your rifle, gather your hunting equipment, finalize travel plans, and get any remaining questions answered. Here are some frequently asked questions that the SNS Outfitter office receives each year as the hunting seas...
There is an abundant amount of tales to be told from SNS Outfitter's 47 years of serving hunters with professionally guided hunts! This group of experienced hunting guides and camp managers for SNS Outfitter are ready to tell all. Hold on to your hats, once the storytelling kicked in, there was no holding back! Whether you're a seasoned hunter, an aspiring camp manager, or just a fan of outdoor adventures, this episode is packed with entertaining stories from over 45 years of outf...
