Every year, new clients roll into camp with the same question:
“So, why is it called Camp Envy?”
To answer that, let’s take a walk down memory lane.
Every year, new clients roll into camp with the same question:
“So, why is it called Camp Envy?”
To answer that, let’s take a walk down memory lane.
Every year, we receive questions about the gear we use on our horseback hunts—and for good reason. For many of our clients, it’s their first time participating in a guided horseback hunt, and the specialized equipment involved can seem a bit intimidating at first. To help ease that uncertainty, we’ve put together an overview of the essential and unique gear you’ll encounter on a hunt with SNS.
When we began offering horseback hunts over 35 years ago, our tack setup was simple—mostly used saddles that got the job done. But we quickly realized that client comfort plays a major role in the quality of a hunt. That’s why we made the investment to upgrade all of our tack.
SNS Outfitter & Guides is made up of some delightful and colorful characters. We hope to bring you a fun portrait of their personalities, experience, values and maybe even a few details about how they spend their time during the off season. We couldn’t think of any better character to begin these chronicles with than Ralph Hlebak.
Ralph is an expert in the industry! He has lived in the Jackson area since 1979, soaking up Teton County history and a bit of memorabilia throughout the years. He has over 40 years experience hunting and guiding in the Grey’s River area. As he would tell you, “I fell in love with that country and the big bucks down there.” Although he would dismiss any reference to it, Ralph is our resident expert for the territory. His knowledge, experience and tenure has earned him the rank and title of Camp Manager at the BoxY Ranch during Wyoming’s black bear, mule deer and elk hunting seasons.
The Hunting industry is currently booming. Many Americans are realizing that the finest organic meat in the world roams in the wild. In the year 2020 more than 3 million American’s who have never purchased a hunting license bought their very first one. This is incredible news for the hunting industry and our future generation of hunters. As a parent or grandparent you may be wondering how to build an interest in hunting within your own children and grandchildren. This is our journey to build kids who love the outdoors and will respect the sport like we do.
From the time our Krew was 11 months we would throw him in a backpack every chance we had to get him out breathing the fresh air and taking in all Wyoming had to offer. We took him on these little day trips until he was 3 and joined in on his first Antelope hunting trip. My dad made the day a special one by buying him his very first “knife” a wooden toy that made him feel like one of the guys. This trip is one Krew still remembers nearly 9 years later. I am a firm believer that positive experiences early in life can shape a child in ways that will impact them greatly in the future.
Over the past several years, concern about the spread and impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has grown significantly. As outfitters, hunters, and conservationists, we find ourselves navigating an increasingly complex issue with no known cure. CWD poses a serious threat to the health and future of Wyoming’s deer and elk populations.
So, what can be done—and what is being done?
After spending considerable time researching outfitters across Wyoming, I ultimately chose SNS Outfitter & Guides—and I want to share why.
As I was researching, I had a specific list of wants and needs in mind. First and foremost, I wanted an outfitter that specialized in big game hunting. My long-term goal is to build up preference points for future trophy hunts. In the meantime, I plan to pursue hunts for species like antelope that are more easily drawn and offer the chance to stock our freezer with wild, organic meat.
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.
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:
This week, we’re giving you a virtual tour of one of our most popular and scenic hunting camps in northeast Wyoming. Known among hunters as “Camp Envy”, this location is more than just a beautiful basecamp—it’s home to one of the best Wyoming antelope and mule deer combo hunts we offer.
Set in north-central Wyoming, the surrounding terrain is a striking blend of sagebrush hills, pine-covered plateaus, grassy plains, and juniper-lined canyons—ideal habitat for mature mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
SNS Office Manager Ambrosia Wagner recently had the chance to experience something truly special: her son Gavin’s first antelope hunt. Taking a kid hunting is a meaningful milestone for any parent or grandparent, and this season we’ve been fortunate to see several hunters bring along their kids or grandkids to share the experience.
An antelope hunt is a fantastic way to introduce young hunters to the world of western big game. We caught up with 14-year-old Gavin to hear all about his first successful antelope hunt. Here’s what he had to say:
Whether you're glassing for antelope in the open plains, spotting mule deer in the high country, or chasing elk with a bow, one thing remains constant: you’ll be spending a lot of time behind the glass. In Wyoming’s vast and rugged landscapes, quality binoculars give you a serious advantage. Here are three key tips for selecting the right binoculars for your next western hunt.
Shopping for binoculars can be overwhelming. Prices range from just a couple hundred dollars to several thousand, and every hunter seems to have their own opinion. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
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:
Post 3 in Our Mule Deer Hunting Series
In our ongoing series on mule deer hunting tips, we’ve already covered two essential topics: glassing strategies and where to locate mule deer. In this third installment, we’re focusing on one of the most challenging aspects of mule deer hunting: the stalk.
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.
There’s no doubt that interest in western mule deer hunting has grown steadily over the past decade. From the high plains to alpine basins above timberline, mule deer continue to capture the imagination of big game hunters across North America.
At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we’ve seen this trend firsthand. With Wyoming offering some of the best and most accessible mule deer hunting in the West—from the rugged peaks of the Greys River to the open prairies—we’ve guided hunters through nearly every terrain mule deer call home.
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.