The open country nature of western mule deer means you are often forced into careful stalking scenarios during both archery and rifle seasons. Spot and stalk mule deer hunting is extremely visual and will truly test your patience. The experience is thrilling, especially when you creep within range and create a shot opportunity. 
Find and Observe
Glass, glass and glass some more. Before you start a stalk, find your deer. The first few hours of daylight and the last few hours of daylight are critical. Hit it hard early and late to find your deer. Once you locate a shooter, ignore your instinct to rush into a stalk. Spend some time observing and get a grip on the situation. You should look at where the deer is headed and how he is moving before starting a stalk. 


Play the Wind and Terrain
Check the wind and position yourself safely to avoid detection. Then spend some time checking the terrain. Look for obstacles that will conceal your movements and provide cover. If the buck is moving, you will need to create an angle and stalk to a point where he is going rather than where you first see him. Ideally, you will wait until the buck beds down and stalk into the bed location. 
Avoid the Does
Are there any does or other animals between you and the buck? Does will give you away in a heartbeat and blow the buck off his bed. Rabbits and other wildlife will also alert him to your presence. Look for a clear path where you can make a stalk while avoiding other wildlife in the area.



Stay Low and Go Slow
The best camo on the market won’t help if you rush. Get off the skyline and move extremely slowly. Some stalks can take hours. Remain low to the ground and take advantage of any cover available and creep forward. If you’re trying to get within bow range, wear soft clothes and quiet shoes. Some hunters will even wear socks while stalking to remain silent. I like basic athletic shoes that are flexible and have a rubber sole. 


The closer you get, the more sensitive the situation. Slow down as much as possible as you approach shooting range. Rushing at this point will likely blow your cover. Look at the ground and plan every foot and hand placement to avoid crunching sticks and making noise. Look for soft dirt and take it one slow step at a time. 


SNS Outfitter and Guides offers mule deer hunts in Wyoming and Montana. For more information, please explore our website at HuntWyo.com, request a free brochure, or call us at 307-266-4229.

It’s booking season, and as usual, our phones are ringing nonstop. In recent years, we've seen a higher-than-ever demand for our hunts, with one request standing out—Mule Deer Hunts.

Why Mule Deer Hunting is a Bucket-List Adventure

The Mule Deer is an iconic species, emblematic of Western big game hunting. Many hunters who grew up pursuing Whitetails dream of one day hunting Mule Deer in the wide-open country of the West. And when it comes to top destinations for Mule Deer, Wyoming is at the top of the list.

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.

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.