Midseason Check-in: Q&A with Outfitter Sy Gilliland
Q: Sy, how has the hunting season started out?
The 2024 hunting season kicked off with the usual flurry of activity and preparations. This included long days of shuttling equipment and horses, always with the goal of working efficiently and minimizing wasted movement. August can be a bit overwhelming as we navigate the logistics of our many hunting camps. However, with good help and careful planning, everything was in place well before our clients arrived. This year, the execution was smooth, and it was a relief to have everything set up in advance.
Q: Wyoming's September and October weather has delivered late summer perfection, with warm, balmy days ideal for outdoor adventures. Do the long-term forecasts suggest any impact on the remainder of the hunting season?
Q: Can you tell us about some of the standout trophy animals taken by SNS clients? We'd love to hear a few memorable harvest highlights.
Our antelope hunts produced many quality animals, with several large trophies harvested. Although mule deer numbers overall are low, we still managed to find and take some outstanding animals. This fall, we also harvested two exceptional black bears, each measuring 7 feet. Our elk hunts continue to be very successful, with Wyoming's elk herds reaching record-high populations, which has been a huge advantage for our hunters.
Q: Are there any SNS staff members who stepped up this season that you'd like to acknowledge? How did they earn your appreciation?
Yes, we had a potentially dangerous situation that was expertly handled by our staff. One of our elk guides, Laton Jones, discovered a small fire while out hunting. Laton reported the fire using his InReach device and was able to contact the near by wilderness camp staff. The crew at camp received his message through the Starlink system. Wrangler Bryce Ash and Guide Ryan Kertanis quickly saddled several mules, loaded them with water containers and shovels, and rode out to the site of the fire. They worked well into the night, digging a line around the fire and extinguishing the flames. Their swift actions prevented what could have been a much more serious incident. The next day, the Forest Service sent a crew to mop up and ensure the fire was completely out.
Q: As we head into the third and fourth quarters of the hunting season, is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience?
We're prepared and looking forward to finishing the season strong with our November mule deer and whitetail hunts. We anticipate quality horn growth and good herd numbers. November also involves wrapping up camps, moving horses, and bringing lots of equipment home. Our office will stay busy taking calls and booking future hunts. Even though the season is winding down, there's still plenty to do.
Keep an eye out as we continue to share content from the season on the SNS Outfitter YouTube channel, as well as our Facebook and Instagram pages. We'll continue to highlight the success of our hunters, so there's a lot more great hunting stories and results from the 2024 season coming your way!
Closing: Thanks, Sy! We know you're busy, so we appreciate you taking the time to give us this midseason update.
Please reach out to the SNS Outfitter office with any question you have:
📞 Phone: 1-307-266-4229 📧 Email:
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See past blog posts on the SNS Blog.
SNS Outfitter & Guides is a permittee of the Bridger Teton National Forest, Greys River District & Thunder Basin National Grasslands as well as the Bureau of Land Management.
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