The SNS family recently lost one of our own. On January 15, 2024, Phil Marton one of our longtime guides, sportsman, predator hunter, rancher and friend passed away after a long battle with esophageal cancer.

Over the past 30 plus years many of our SNS clients hunted antelope on the Marton ranch. Phil guided many of our hunters for antelope, mule deer and elk. The last years of his guiding career he focused on hunting Montana mule deer.

Phil was an accomplished predator hunter who honed his coyote hunting skills protecting the ranches sheep herd. This skill came in handy when Phil and several SNS guides went hunting in the Northwest Territories. The caribou hunting was difficult as their numbers were so low. Phil turned his attention to the ultimate predator hunt, wolves. After a very long day of pursuing a wolf pack for miles on foot, using his calling skills Phil killed the ultimate trophy, a beautiful white wolf.

Still Looking for a 2024 Deer Hunt? SNS has got you covered!

Our Montana Deer Hunt features one of your best options to draw a license and go hunting in 2024. This is a great mule deer hunt, but the property has some fine whitetail hunting as well. We have hunted here for over 25 years and this ranch has a proven track record for producing quality animals.

Opening Day; marks the commencement of Rifle Elk Hunting on our private ranch lease—a tradition we eagerly look forward to every year at SNS Outfitter! For over 35 years, SNS has proudly held the hunting lease on this expansive cattle ranch. During our tenure, we have witnessed the resident elk herds stabilize and thrive, making this hunt a Wyoming icon. As we gear up for another epic Opening Day, the excitement is palpable.

This hunt is conducted via horseback, over miles of evergreen peaks & sagebrush covered ground. As our clients arrive at camp on the eve of the hunt, they are warmly welcomed by the camp manager, wrangler, cook, and our team of experienced hunting guides. The corrals are filled with trail-worthy horses. The evening is a blend of settling in, zeroing rifles, a hearty supper, safety talks, and an early bedtime, setting the stage for the adventures that await.

Welcome to SNS Outfitter & Guides

At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we craft unforgettable hunting adventures across the stunning landscapes of Wyoming and Montana. Whether you're a long-time follower or new to our journey, we're thrilled to have you here. Subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube channel to stay updated on our latest hunts, tips, and tales. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates and highlights!

Reflecting on 46 Years of Excellence

As we conclude our 46th hunting season, we're celebrating the triumphs of 2023. This milestone reflects the dedication of our expert guides, hardworking team, and, most importantly, the incredible clients who trust us to deliver unparalleled hunting experiences.

Hunting the Rut in Mule Deer Country

November marks an exciting time in mule deer country—the rut is on! Mule deer and whitetail deer are the last of Wyoming and Montana's big game species to begin their annual breeding rituals. The action kicks off in late October, as bucks begin checking does for signs of estrus. By early November, the rut is in full swing and continues well into early December.

A Trophy Mule Deer Experience

Imagine standing on SNS Outfitter’s private Montana ranch lease, admiring the impressive antlers of a trophy mule deer buck. Guided hunts like these offer the perfect opportunity to witness the magic of mule deer behavior during the rut and take home a remarkable memory.

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.

Celebrating 23 Years of Hunting with SNS Outfitters

Our third episode of the Tailgate Tales series features longtime client and friend, Sam Faggetti. Sam has been hunting with SNS Outfitters for an incredible 23 years, sharing his experiences with friends, family, and business associates who have joined him for some of the best hunting adventures the West has to offer.

A Journey That Began 23 Years Ago

Sam’s first hunt with SNS Outfitters was booked over two decades ago through Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures. After speaking with our outfitter, Sy, Sam knew SNS was the right choice for his inaugural Western hunting experience. What has kept him coming back year after year? According to Sam, it’s our attention to detail, high success rates, and unwavering commitment to providing safe and memorable hunts.

A little history about Wyomings system for issuing coveted non-resident elk licenses. Wyoming has limited the number of non-resident full price bull licenses for over 40 years to a cap of 7,250 tags. This cap was put in place when our state had half as many elk as it currently does. Wyoming’s Elk hunt areas are managed either as limited quota or general licenses. Limited quota areas carve out 16% of the total quota to non-residents. Once all LQ licenses are drawn statewide the remaining quota is issued as general licenses good for any general elk area statewide. The number of general licenses issued went down every year as elk populations increased, causing more LQ licenses to be issued and fewer general licenses.

In 1989 the outfitting industry lobbied the state legislature to create a two-tiered license fee system. This resulted in what is called the regular license and the special license. The logic behind creating the two-tiered license was those applicants willing to pay more for a license would have better draw odds. In addition to the two-tiered license fees Wyoming allows the sale and accumulation of preference points. Preference points give an applicant a chance to draw from the PP pool of licenses which is 75% of the total license quota.

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.