Every avid deer hunter dreams of one day going out west and hunting mule deer. Unfortunately, a good mule deer hunt is getting harder and harder to find. Wyoming’s pronghorn antelope herds have been stable with some population swings due to winter weather. Our Wyoming elk numbers have seen huge increases, but mule deer numbers continue to decline. With that said however, you can still hunt the west’s majestic mule deer with SNS Outfitter and your best bet is our Montana Mule Deer Hunt.

Our Montana hunts are an optimal opportunity for going mule deer hunting in 2024. Wyoming still offers some quality mule deer hunting, but licenses have become harder to draw and many areas require accumulating preference points. Montana licenses can be readily drawn thanks to the state capping hunters at a maximum of two points. One exception to this is if you are booked with a Montana outfitter which enables you to buy a third point, insuring a successful draw. 

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!

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.

With hunting clients coming back for more year after year, SNS Outfitter and the team of professional hunting guides, wranglers, camp jacks & cooks, must be doing something right! SNS Client, Kevin Pollock, tell us why. He has been hunting from Camp Envy for eleven consecutive years. Each season filling out his combination hunt for both antelope and deer. There is only one tag that Kevin was unable to fill on his very first visit in 2013. A blizzard moved into the area and made for very challenging hunting conditions and limited travel. He still managed to fill his antelope tag that year, however, with the help of hunting guide, Jim Barton. Kevin said, “These guys did everything they could to get me on game, even in the worst conditions possible. If that is what they are willing to do for me when it’s this snowed in and wet, I can’t wait to see what it’s like in bluebird conditions. I am coming back!” 

Kevin says he keeps returning to SNS for his yearly antelope and mule deer hunts for multiple reasons; the experienced staff, great animals, “It’s an honest, hard working group. SNS handles all the paperwork. I know when arrive to camp, my tag will be there. It’s a quality outfit from top to bottom with great leadership from Sy,” SNS Outfitter. Over time Kevin has noticed the camp evolve while maintaining its quality. “I like this camp so well because it is remote enough for great hunting, but comfortable with warm rooms, nice beds, great food and hot, hot water showers and now, I can call home right from the cook house.” In addition to enjoying this SNS camp all these years, Kevin has been able to get to know all of the crew and become quite close with them. “It’s like old going home week; a family reunion at hunting camp each year.” And if there is one member of the team that Kevin has really hit it off with, that would have to be, Troy Gilmore, SNS camp manager and hunting guide. Matter of fact, they are more like family at this point. With their families enjoy spending time together, Kevin and his wife have become like a bonus set of grandparents for Troy and his wife’s two daughters. When asked about Kevin, Troy will tell you, “Kevin and I just clicked right from the start. He’s a joy to take hunting. He’s one that it doesn’t matter if it’s rain, snow or shine. He just loves the whole experience; the whole hunt from start to finish. He buddies up with everyone at camp, never gets worked up and is easy going. He’s like a dream client!”

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.

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.

 As they say, if you know, you know! That adrenaline rush mixed with joy, relief, and pride as you pull the trigger and watch everything unfold in front of you. The exhaustion and exhilaration—it’s a feeling SNS Outfitter & Guides knows well.

For 46 seasons, we've had the privilege of hosting top-tier hunting adventures in Wyoming & Montana. Time and time again, our clients leave with unforgettable memories of a hunt well conducted.

Have you ever considered a prairie dog shoot with friends or family? If you enjoy long-range shooting, challenging small targets, and spending quality time outdoors, then a prairie dog hunt is the perfect way to enjoy Wyoming’s wide-open spaces.

SNS Outfitter & Guides is excited to announce the return of our guided prairie dog shoots after several years of population recovery. Spots are limited, so now is the time to book your summer shoot!

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.