https://youtu.be/PKiFZp_EIfA

Since the mid-1990’s, Wyomings elk population has experienced tremendous growth as have elk across the entire mountain west. The biologists in charge of managing these majestic game animals have many theories as to why elk numbers have exploded across the west. Wyoming’s statewide population estimate stands at 113,000 animals, which is almost double the elk population just 25 years ago! The Southern Bighorn herd where SNS conducts our cow elk hunts, has now grown to become Wyomings 3rd largest herd. The Wyoming Game and Fish manages this herd via 6 hunt units and issues 3050 licenses for cow elk within this elk herd.

This herd seems to have stabilized in terms of total animals. The game and fish has been trying to bring elk numbers down within this herd but it's been difficult. Elk are prolific and very well suited when it comes to surviving Wyomings winter weather. Because of the vast ranch range, this elk herd can move over an incredible amount of country in order to find winter feed. The seasonal movement of elk is large and the cows seek out more secluded areas to have their calves. Elk prefer well watered areas with lush grass and trees to seek shaded shelter during the heat of the day. The very large working cattle ranch that we hunt provides some of the best year round habitats to be found in the Bighorns Mountains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80IrHqUY7N8

Winter feeding of wildlife is a hot button issue and often pits wildlife lovers, hunters and conservationists against one other. Elk are fed each winter by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and the National Elk Refuge. As townships and ranchers established themselves out west, elk were left with very little intact natural winter range.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has tasked the department to hold a series of public meetings to educate the public as to why elk are being fed in Western Wyoming. These public meetings will be held in a virtual format starting December 1^st. Click here to view the schedule of this week’s meetings https://wgfd.wyo.gov/events

[caption id="attachment_1653" align="alignright" width="300"] P.C.: SNS Guide Jim Bernardin.


In a decision that should come as a welcome relief to hunters, the United States Court of Appeals has finally removed Wyoming’s wolves from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wolf management is now in the hands of the state.

This is a major victory for wildlife management in Wyoming. Federal protections were originally lifted in 2011 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service determined that ESA listing was no longer necessary. But in 2014, against the recommendations of biologists and wildlife managers, activist pressure and a federal judge’s decision returned wolves to Federal protection.

Finally, six years since they were originally deemed recovered, science has prevailed over emotional outcry and Wolf management is now under Wyoming’s control.

In most parts of the state wolves will be managed as a predator like coyotes, and can be harvested on site. In the Trophy Game Management Area of northwest Wyoming where the majority of Wyoming’s wolves reside, hunting seasons will eventually be re-established.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is currently responsible for managing Wyoming wildlife like deer, elk, antelope, mountain lions, bison, black bears and more. Regaining the ability to manage wolves in context with the rest of Wyoming’s wildlife and habitat resources will prove to be a major benefit. No longer run without regard to local circumstance by Washington bureaucrats, all of Wyoming’s wildlife is poised to benefit from this change.

For more information on wolf management in Wyoming, please visit the Game and Fish Department website.

On August 15th, new pricing for our 2018 hunts will go into effect. So if you’re thinking of booking a hunt for next year, this is your chance to lock in your spot at the current rate! But you must book before August 15th. 
Our 2018 season still has plenty of openings. Our Wyoming antelope hunts, spring and fall black bear hunts, the Wyoming and Montana mule deer hunts, and our Wyoming elk hunts have some great spots still available. But many of our most popular hunts fill up by the holidays. Locking in your spot now guarantees you the best dates, plus the best possible price. 


And if you’re thinking of a hunt next year, this is also perfect timing to grab a preference point while they are still on sale. Wyoming preference points are available for elk, deer and antelope. Purchasing a point now will help ensure you draw the best possible tag next year. 
Our preference point program makes the whole process easy. We handle licenses, points and applications for you. Best of all, we deduct the cost of your preference points from the cost of your hunt. So when it’s all said and done, your points don’t cost a thing. 
Wyoming preference points are only on sale for a limited time. And you must book before August 15th if you want to lock in a hunt at our current rates! For more information on booking or purchasing points, call us now at 307-266-4229. Or you can contact us on our website. 

A guided hunt is an awesome experience. It often means seeing a new area for the first time, and sometimes hunting a new species for the first time. One of the most common questions we receive from our guided hunters is what they are responsible to bring. 
We send a checklist to each of our hunters before their trip. The needs of a hunter on an antelope hunt from town are of course much different than hunting elk or mule deer from a remote mountain camp. 
While packing lists can vary considerably, there are some general things to think about on any guided hunting trip in the west. Here are a few tips to consider:

Don’t Overload Your Daypack
Ask most hunting guides, and they’ll tell you that hunters’ daypacks are always heaviest on the first morning of the hunt. Excited and sometimes not sure what to bring, hunters tend to over pack the first day. But after carrying a heavy backpack through rough western country, those items quickly get paired down. A few days into the hunt, most hunters are carrying only the essentials. 
On a big game hunt, shouldering a heavy backpack can take a toll. Be very careful about how much you intend to carry in your daypack.



 Listen to Your Guide’s Advice 
Every guided hunt is different. But in most situations, the guide will be carrying essential items, like field dressing equipment. If your guide has those things covered, there may be no reason to carry duplicates – especially bulky items like game bags. Most importantly, pay attention to your guide’s advice. If he says you don’t need it, don’t put it in your pack. 




Invest in Lightweight Hunting Gear
If your gear is heavy to begin with, you’ll have trouble keeping the weight down on your daypack. Items like rain gear can be one of the biggest culprits. Rain gear can spend a lot of time in your pack, but you don’t want to be caught without it. 
Wherever possible, invest in lightweight hunting gear. There is a higher price for gear that is both highly functional and also light weight. But on a tough, multi-day western hunt, it can be well worth the investment.

Part 1: Shooting Practice -

For many hunters, a Wyoming pronghorn antelope hunt, or any western big game adventure represents a significant investment. For some, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. In this three part series, we will cover some of the most important things hunters can do to prepare. In this first installment, we’d like to stress the importance of shooting practice, and offer our tips on the subject.

As hunters and sportsmen, we believe in taking only ethical, high percentage shots.  And in order to do this, we need to be practicing with our weapons year-round. Both rifle and archery hunters need to spend serious time at the range in order to hone their shooting skills and truly dial-in their weapons. Spending a couple days at the range in the weeks leading up to your hunt is no way to prepare.

In addition to the ethics of shooting, just think about your investment in a hunt. You’re investing in license fees, travel costs, equipment and more. The last thing you want to do is blow a shooting opportunity. If you’re investing in everything else, you should be investing your time at the shooting range as well.

There is certainly more to shooting than sighting in your rifle at a shooting bench or your bow at a 20-yard hay bale the week before your hunt. Antelope hunting, as well as mule deer and elk hunting in Wyoming and across the west, frequently requires shots of 200 to 300 yards or more for rifle hunters. Being a proficient shooter at these distances requires patience, practice and time.

We recommend starting your practice at short distances. This might be 50 yards for rifle hunters and 10 yards for archers. In these early sessions, work on your breathing, posture and trigger squeeze or release. When you feel very confident, move to incrementally longer distances, taking your time and focusing first on the fundamentals.

Next, begin shooting from different positions, first from short distances and then, progressively longer. Practice shooting from kneeling, sitting and offhand positions. Take your time and continue focusing on fundamentals, but from more realistic hunting positions.

When you begin to feel very confident in your shooting from a number of positions, begin to add layers of difficulty. Sprint 25 yards, then pick up your weapon and shoot. Do 20 pushups, then get into position and shoot. We recommend that you even wear the clothing you’ll be taking on a hunt, including jackets. Make sure that you can maneuver in your hunting clothes.

Finally, in the weeks leading up to your hunt, we recommend that you mix these types of exercises with a steady focus on fundamentals and basic shooting. When it comes time to leave on your big hunt, you want to feel extremely confident in your abilities to execute an ethical shot – even under difficult conditions.

Keep an eye out for our next article on preparing for a pronghorn antelope hunt. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any questions. For more information on pronghorn antelope hunts with SNS Outfitters & Guides, please visit our antelope hunting page or request a free brochure. To check remaining availability for the upcoming season, please call us immediately at 307-266-4229.

 

Part 2: Physical Conditioning -
When it comes to preparing for a Wyoming antelope hunt, or any western, big game hunt, our guides have two clear recommendations: shooting practice and physical conditioning. In a previous article, we covered shooting. This time, we’ll take a look at some of our guides’ top tips when in comes to getting in shape for the big hunt.

First, why is conditioning important? Because when it comes to open country antelope hunting, you can be the best spotter, the best field judge, a great marksman and have the best gear. But if you can’t get to where the animals are quickly enough for an ethical shot, none of it matters.

Being able to move across large distances through varying terrain can be very important. Can a guy who is out of shape do it? Sure, we can usually make it happen. But will the experience be more enjoyable if that same guy is in better shape? Absolutely! Simply put, the better shape you’re in, the more enjoyable the experience will be.

When it comes to getting in shape, time can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  If you’re trying to cram workouts in the weeks leading up to your hunt, you will have a difficult time, and the experience will be more painful. However, if hunters make an effort to stay in decent shape year round, you won’t have to put yourself through that painful crunch just before the season. Starting well in advance and giving yourself time will help tremendously.

Start by setting goals for yourself that are realistic and attainable. Don’t burn yourself out in the first few weeks. If necessary, get some help at your local gym to come up with a well-rounded exercise plan. A good plan should include a combination of weight lifting and cardiovascular exercises. In your weight lifting, focus primarily on leg strength, as that will be your best asset on a tough hunt.

In addition to exercising at the gym, get out in the field as much as possible. Put on your hunting pack and climb a nearby hill or even stadium stairs. As the season approaches, try these workouts in the actual clothing that you’ll be using on your hunt. If there are any comfort issues, you want to know it well ahead of time.

Find an exercise that you enjoy – whether that’s running, biking, swimming or hiking. Mix it up, and try to keep your workouts from becoming monotonous. Employing a variety of exercises will help work different muscle groups, and it will help you from becoming bored with the routine.

Finally, in the couple of weeks prior to your hunt, work to maintain your level of strength without pushing it too hard. Concentrate on workouts in the gym where you’re less likely to twist an ankle. The last thing you want is an injury just before the hunt. Weight lifting machines to keep up your leg strength and easy jogging can be ideal.

Have confidence in your ability to stalk or quickly move into position for a shot. Being in good physical condition can be the difference between a good hunt and a great hunt.

Keep your eye out for our next article on preparing for a Wyoming Antelope Hunt: Gear and Packing Tips. In the meantime, check out huntwyo.com for more information on antelope hunts, elk hunts, mule deer hunts and more with SNS Outfitters & Guides!

According to a recent press release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (WGFC), new regulations have been enacted for hunting in Wyoming. The new regulations add additional calibers that can be used for big game, trophy game, and wild turkey hunting. The new regulation adds some calibers and ammunition that previously were not legal to hunt these species and simplifies language for other regulations.

For big game hunters the following firearms and ammunition may be used:

• For the taking of moose, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goat, and black bear, hunters shall use any centerfire firearm of at least .24 caliber and with a cartridge at least two inches long.

• For deer, antelope, mountain lion, and gray wolf, the major change is the addition of .22 centerfire cartridges as legal ammunition. For the taking of deer, antelope, mountain lions, and gray wolves in areas where they are designated as trophy game, hunters can use any centerfire firearm of at least .22 caliber, using a cartridge at least two inches long and firing a bullet of at least 60 grains.

• For all big and trophy game species, legal firearms also include any cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least 1.5 inches in overall length, or a cartridge that generally delivers 500 foot-pounds of impact at 100 yards. Shotguns firing “00” or larger buckshot are now legal for all big and trophy game. In addition, muzzleloading rifles or handguns of at least .40 caliber that fire a lead or expanding-point bullet using at least 50 grains of black powder or its equivalent can be used. All cartridges for big and trophy game must use a lead or expanding-point bullet with the exception of any shotgun firing “00” buckshot or a slug.

• The .17 HMR rimfire cartridge has been legalized for turkey hunting. This is in addition to the legal weapons in the previous regulation that included shotguns, centerfire firearms, muzzleloaders, and .22 WMR rimfire cartridges.

• Archery equipment regulations are similar to previous regulations, but language has been removed requiring bows to be able to cast different grain weights of arrows a minimum of 160 yards. For the taking of deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, mountain goat, or gray wolves in areas where they are designated as trophy game, a bow must have a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds. For moose and elk, a bow must have a minimum draw weight of 50 pounds.

bull; Crossbow hunters are required to use a crossbow with a peak draw weight of at least 90 pounds and a bolt at least 16 inches long. Broadheads and expanding points for all archery and crossbow equipment must have a minimum cutting-width of one inch after impact.

The new regulations are effective immediately and will be in place for upcoming spring bear and turkey seasons and for fall big game and trophy game seasons. Read regulations in their entirety at the Game and Fish website: wgfd.wyo.gov.

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! While we were busy organizing gear and closing up our camps for the winter, we thought we’d share some tips that will help your gear stay in better condition and last longer.

As your hunting season comes to a close, there is a good chance that your gear is covered with a season’s worth of dirt, dust or mud. These elements can be highly corrosive and it is important to properly care for your gear at the end of each season. Don’t put them away for the winter without careful inspection.

Start by making sure that all of your gear is as clean as possible. For example, carefully clean your binocular and rangefinder lenses with a clean lens cloth and wipe the outside surfaces with a damp cloth or paper towel. A can of compressed air can help blow sand and dust out of the focus rings and any other moving parts.

Follow the same routine with other pieces of hunting gear like shooting sticks, game carriers, calls and so on. Use a damp cloth to wipe them clean, and let them dry completely before storing.

Of course cleaning your weapon should go without saying. Don’t forget to properly care for your rifle stock, wax your bow string and take any other steps to make sure that your weapon is in good shape following a season’s worth of abuse.

Next, do not neglect clothing and outerwear. This may require more than simply running it through the washing machine. Materials like Gore-Tex and other types of rain gear require special care.

You will want to wash them in a Gore-Tex safe detergent and then apply a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Most waterproof and water resistant items are treated with a DWR finish at the factory. After using them each season, it’s a great idea to re-apply a new DWR coating. This is what helps precipitation bead and roll cleanly off the garment.

DWR treatments are made by a number of companies and can be found at most sporting goods retailers. Some are made specifically for hard-shell rainwear like Gore-Tex, while others are designed for soft-shell use. Make sure you choose a product that is suitable for each piece of your clothing system.

Finally, make sure your hunting boots are clean and cared for. We recommend using a boot cleaner that’s safe and specifically recommended for your type of boots, whether that’s leather, synthetic or a combination. Cleaning and treating leather boots after the season is particularly important. Dirty boots left unattended over the winter can dry and crack. This will shorten the life of your boot and will certainly diminish their performance in the filed.

If you have questions about hunts with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please visit our website. You may also request a free brochure, or call us anytime at 307-266-4229. See you in 2014 for another great season of antelope, elk, bear and mule deer hunting here in Wyoming!

When it comes to big game in North America, trophy mule deer are among the most sought-after species. Weighing in at close to 300 pounds and reaching antler measurements of over 200 inches, mule deer are icons of the American west.

Mule deer are highly adaptable, ranging from river bottoms and high plains to alpine environments above timberline. From southwest deserts to coastal forests, mule deer hunting presents a variety of challenges.

Here in Wyoming and Montana, mule deer hunting is also diverse. Our hunts take place from open country on the high plains east of the Rockies, to the steep, rugged mountains of the Greys River. In any situation, hunting mature mule deer requires patience and determination. We recently spoke to some of our Montana and Wyoming hunting guides about their best tips for successfully hunting trophy mule deer. Here is what they had to say:

1. Glass Until It Hurts
Among our guides, there was one common theme when it comes to mule deer hunting: glass, glass and keep glassing. Most of our guides like to get to a high position early in the morning when it’s still dark, and set up behind their spotting scope or binoculars.

In many areas, mule deer like to feed and water throughout the night. This means that at first light, they can often be seen moving back to their bedding areas. Getting to a vantage point under the cover of darkness allows hunters to spot deer while they are still moving and plan a stalk.

Once mule deer lie down, they can be very difficult to spot, even in country that seems open and exposed. Many first time (and even veteran) mule deer hunters are surprised when a mule deer suddenly materializes on a hill covered in nothing but sagebrush. Catching them while they are moving is a major advantage, particularly when it comes to smart old bucks.

When getting into a vantage point in the morning, take special care not to skyline yourself. Even against a dark sky, your silhouette can be a dead giveaway.

2. Practice Patience
Mule deer tend to spend the middle of the day enjoying the shade. During these hours, patience and a quality spotting scope are your best tools. Even when you feel that you’ve covered the same hillsides a hundred times, stay patient and keep your eyes open.

When hunting mule deer, it’s important to stay alert and ready at all times. If you don’t see any action the first couple days of your hunt, it’s easy to let your guard down. Keeping your senses on full alert is critical, especially during a slow period when a quick opportunity might be your only opportunity. Wherever you find yourself, always be thinking about your shooting lanes, or where you’ll rest if an opportunity arises. Act like every situation will be the big one.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="241"] 2013 Wyoming Mule Deer Hunt


When you do spot that shooter buck, make sure you remain patient. If the buck isn’t already in shooting range, you will need to take your time and plan a stalk. If the deer is still moving toward his bedding area, it may require you to stay put. If you can watch where a deer beds down, it will often give you a great opportunity to plan a careful stalk.

The test of your patience may not end there either. Even after you are in range, you may have to wait on

the deer to give you a shot. If he’s lying behind an obstruction, you may be forced to wait until he stands up.

3. Be Physically Prepared
Mule deer hunting can be very physical. Once a buck is spotted, getting into position for a shot may not always be an easy task. This is particularly for hunters in the Greys River area or other steep country.  On these hunts, hunters should be ready to cover several miles a day through rugged country. All of our guides agree that the better shape you can be in, the better your chances of taking a mature mule deer buck.

Like antelope hunting, stalking mule deer may require a great deal of crawling on your hands and knees or belly. If you’re in the best shape possible, that final stalk should be fun and exhilarating, not a painful experience.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="222"] 2013 Montana Mule Deer Hunt


For more information on mule deer hunting with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please check out our mule deer hunting page. For other hunts, please visit our home page. You may also call us anytime at 307-266-4229 or request a free brochure.
SNS is Wyoming’s top outfitter and the number one antelope outfitter in North America. With more than 700,000 acres of private land, we offer more opportunity than any other outfitter in the state. We offer hunts for deer, antelope, elk, black bear and moose.

This is the second part in our series on hunting mule deer. With the ever-increasing popularity of mule deer hunting, we receive a great deal of questions each year and we'd like to share some of that insight with you here. Whether high above timberline or down on the sage flats, we are passionate about chasing big mulies. Wyoming is one of the best places in the country to hunt big mule deer, and we've seen our fair share of hits and misses over the years.

In the first post in this series, we shared our 3 Rules to Follow When Glassing for Mule Deer. In this installment, we'll take a look at locating mule deer. After all, mule deer county is big - really big. On this iconic western hunt, where should you begin?

Here are our 3 rules for locating mule deer:

1. Mule deer are browsers.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="301"] 2014 Wyoming Mule Deer


Elk may be grazers, but mule deer are primarily browsers. While the territory of these two prized big game animals has some overlap here in Wyoming, mule deer have their own unique requirements. While elk can sustain themselves in heavily timbered areas with only grassy avalanche chutes and small parks for feed, mule deer tend to inhabit more open spaces.

In high alpine environments throughout the summer and early fall, mule deer often concentrate in open areas above timberline with plenty of willow, mountain avens, cinquefoil and other shrubs and seasonal forbs. Not only do these areas provide plenty of browse, but in the exposed environment above timberline, shrubs like willows provide cover, even for big bucks.

At lower elevations, the open canopy of aspen groves provide sunlight, and subsequently a host of browsing options for mule deer. As you move further down slope, gambel oak, service berry and mature sage all provide these same requirements of both browse and cover.

Wherever your mule deer adventures take you, focus your glassing on brushy areas that still hold leaves, berries or nuts. Even late in the season, mule deer can still be seen stripping the last leaves and dried morsels from a berry patch, or using subtle undulations and shallow draws to move stealthily through an otherwise open sage flat.

2. Look on steep faces and hard-to-access places.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="341"] 2014 Wyoming Mule Deer


Mule deer, especially mature bucks, feel safe on steep hills or in isolated canyons, often with cliffs or rock outcrops at their back. These areas provide the perfect afternoon rest stop for a wary ungulate. With the afternoon thermals bringing scent uphill in their face, and with a barrier above, mature bucks are notoriously hard to get close to.

In the early mornings, look for bucks to be moving from their nighttime feeding and watering areas up to more secure locations. And during the afternoon, focus your glassing on these hard-to-access places. Keep movement to a minimum and use your glass more than your feet (see our first article on glassing). Everything hinges on seeing that buck before he sees you. Sometimes, spotting an antler tip or and ear twitch is enough to give them away.

3. Deer are lazy too. They take the path of least resistance.

Like most other game, mule deer prefer the path of least resistance. While they like to bed and feed in safe places, they will typically travel the easiest routes between the two. Their survival, especially if they are going to make it through the harsh winter months, depends on conserving energy. Every calorie is vital. They will certainly flee or cross great distances when necessary. But unless otherwise spooked or forced by weather, mule deer will often keep the same patterns day after day. Keep an eye on game trails, saddles, and other places that naturally funnel traffic.

This rule also applies to changes in weather. Elk will sometimes tolerate much greater depths of snow but as a general rule, mule deer are often the first to migrate when the weather turns south. Keep this in mind, especially during mid-season hunts. October in the Rockies can bring 60-degree days and sunshine or feet of snow. If possible, mule deer hunters need to be prepared to adjust their plans and locations accordingly.

For more information on Wyoming mule deer hunts with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please see our Mule Deer Hunting Page. You can also call us anytime with questions at 307-266-4229 or request a free color brochure of our hunts.

This is our third post in a series on mule deer hunting tips. In the first article, we shared our keys to glassing on a mule deer hunt, and in the second article, we offered a few tips on where to locate mule deer. In this post, we'd like to share with you some of our tips on stalking mule deer.

As we mentioned in the previous posts, we have seen a steady increase in the popularity of mule deer hunting over the last several years. Wyoming is one of the best places on earth to chase these magnificent animals and we continually receive questions about mule deer hunting opportunities. Their size, the challenge, and the spectacular country that they inhabit all combine to make for an unforgettable big game hunting experience.

After more than 30 years of hunting mule deer in Wyoming, we have see our share of successes and mistakes along the way. Mule deer are notoriously difficult to get close to. Stalking these animals requires a great deal of patience and care. Here are our top 5 tips for stalking mule deer:

1. Avoid unnatural noises.

You can often get away with natural noises like stepping on sticks or rolling a rock. But try to minimize any unnatural noise. Zippers and Velcro are the worst offenders. They will announce your presence to anything around. If you've never hunted in the high country, you will be shocked how far sound carries across these western landscapes. It's sometimes possible to listen to a conversation on the next ridge a half-mile away. In Wyoming, we see our fair share of wind. While that decreases the noise factor, it only makes game even more alert and nervous. Hence, the next two points...

2. Don’t skyline yourself.

Whenever you’re on the move, make every attempt not to skyline yourself on a hilltop or ridge. Travel below ridgelines and conceal your movements with hills, ravines or vegetation as much as possible. Mule deer have good vision and will pick out your silhouette on a skyline in a heartbeat.

3. Pay attention to the wind.

Wind isn’t as critical when rifle hunting as it is when hunting with a bow, but it’s still a factor. Pay attention to the wind and plan your stalk accordingly. Remember that unless there’s another prevailing wind, thermals will be dropping before sunrise and after sunset. When the sun is up, thermals will be moving uphill.

4. Be patient when you don’t have an approach.

If you spot deer but you can’t get within range because of a lack of cover or bad wind, don’t rush in. If you don’t bump them, they are likely to hold the same pattern and be in that area the next day. Mule deer are creatures of habit, much more so than elk. If you blow them out, you probably won’t see them again. But stay patient, and you'll likely get another shot.

5. Don’t bump the does.

If you find a group of does, act just like you would if it were a giant buck. Do everything you can to avoid bumping them. Even well before the rut, you never know when a buck will appear. When the run begins in November, this becomes even more critical. Glass long enough, and you might spot a buck hanging with the does. By keeping does in the area, there's a good chance a buck will turn up.

For more information on Wyoming mule deer hunts with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please visit our Mule Deer Hunting Page. For information on hunts for pronghorn antelope, elk, black bear, whitetail deer and other opportunities in Wyoming and Montana, be sure to visit our Home Page. You may also request a free color brochure or call us anytime with questions at 307-266-4229.

Whether it’s open country antelope hunting, a high country mule deer hunt or archery elk, we spend a great deal of time each season looking through the glass. When hunting in Wyoming’s vast landscapes, having quality binoculars provides a clear advantage. Here are three of our tips on selecting binoculars for a western hunt.

1. Consider Quality
Binoculars can be a confusing item to shop for. Everyone has a different opinion and you’ll find options that range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands. However, don’t let it make your head spin. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Higher quality glass allows more light, which is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk and can extend your glassing time at both ends of the day. High quality glass will also improve upon sharpness, distortion and color, reducing eye fatigue on hunts that require a great deal of glassing.

You don’t have to purchase an ultra high-end bino to find good quality. But there is a difference in quality at different price ranges. Like anything, you get what you pay for. When looking at binoculars, decide on the best budget you can afford and use that as your starting point.

2. Consider Size and Power
When selecting optics for western hunting, you want binos that are going to be versatile enough for any type of adventure. You also need a balance between lightweight portability and sufficient power. We typically recommend something in the 8x30 to 10x40 range.

If you were to ask 10 different guides, you’d get a variety of different answers on the pros and cons between 8x and 10x binos. But most will probably agree that either will work just fine. Both will give you enough power and field of view in a lightweight and compact package that’s easy to carry around on a mountain hunt.

3. Consider Durability and Warranty
Finally, your binos are going to get jostled, rained on, shoved in backpacks and generally abused. So durability is also critical. Be sure and select quality binoculars that are waterproof and tough. Alongside durability, make sure you ask about the warranty. When all other things seem equal, sometimes it’s the warranty that will tip your decision one way or another.

For more information on hunting in Wyoming with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please call us anytime at 307-266-4229 or send us a message.

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.

At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we pride ourselves on offering the most diverse elk hunting opportunities in Wyoming. With several distinct camps to choose from, we provide top-tier hunting experiences that cater to a variety of preferences and styles. Over the years, we've guided 1,388 elk hunts with an impressive lifetime success rate of 72%—and we're just getting started! The positive feedback from our clients inspires us to keep doing what we love year after year. Here's what a few of them ha...