It’s always a privilege to experience what we love with those who share the same passion. Every once in awhile it's a true honor. This past week, SNS had one such honorable adventure.                                                       

This is Emily Ferguson and her Dad, Chris. SNS was introduced to them through the Outdoor Dream Foundation, whose role is to grant outdoor adventures to youth who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Outfitter, Sy Gilliland, has always wanted to get involved with the Outdoor Dream Foundation’s programs. When the opportunity arose to host Emily, he jumped at it.                                                 

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.

One of the most important aspects of hunting is the food value of what we hunt. Knowing exactly where our food comes from — and for those hunters who process their own meat, exactly how it’s aged and taken care of — is the most satisfying and rewarding part of the hunting experience. Wild game is known as some of the healthiest meat on the planet. It is also some of the most delicious! Many on the anti-hunting spectrum would counter with, “You can buy meat at the grocery store — why don’t you leave the wildlife alone?” Well, a hunter’s counter argument is that just because you choose to purchase processed meat (from a domesticated animal) in a grocery store, does not make you morally superior to those who fill their freezers in a different manner. Whether it’s cattle or mule deer, they all walk on four legs. However, wild game is able to roam freely and eat what they choose.

Hunting also allows families and friends to spend valuable time together in the wilderness. These memories transcend generations. For that matter, some of my earliest memories involve bouncing around in a single cab pickup with my dad, mom, and brother hunting antelope, elk, and deer. I can also vividly remember the first time I heard a cow elk calling her calf while hunting with my grandpa in a patch of downfall timber. From an early age, hunting instilled in me the importance of family and friends as well as the importance of spending time outside enjoying everything that nature has to offer. There is nothing more exciting than being in close quarters with a bugling bull elk or quietly sneaking within a stone’s throw of a bedded muley buck!



As human encroachment on natural wildlife increases, we come to another very important part of why we hunt and why hunting is necessary: wildlife management. Every wildlife ecosystem has a carrying capacity and without proper management, the wildlife populations are at risk of uncontrolled population growth and massive die-offs. That is where we — as hunters — come into play. We are the world’s first and most diligent conservationists. And while it may be difficult to comprehend, hunters get just as much thrill viewing wildlife as non-hunter do. For us hunters, it isn’t just about wanting healthy wildlife populations so that we have more animals to aim at. We live where we live 


because of the abundance of wildlife and the endless opportunities to watch them in their natural element. Whether it’s witnessing a doe antelope nursing triplet fawns or a bachelor group of mule deer bucks on a summer afternoon, the joy is in the entire experience.

The simple truth is that we hunt because it’s deeply rooted in our blood and our family traditions. We have the utmost respect for any animal we harvest, as that animal provides food for our families. It’s not about the thrill of taking a life, it’s about all the experiences leading up to that point. It’s about learning the skills that are handed down from previous generations that allow us to make the hunting both clean and ethical. That is — at the very least — what we owe the elk, deer, or other wild game that graces our dinner tables.

 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.

In 1947, Havilah Babcock authored My Health is Better in November. Longtime SNS client and friend Terry Truhler can certainly relate. “I always feel better when I am hunting in Wyoming,” he says.

Terry, a retired outdoorsman from central Washington, now spends his days tying flies and tending to a handful of steers. But every year, he returns to Wyoming for his annual hunt with SNS Outfitter & Guides—a tradition spanning an incredible 26 years.

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.

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!”