All rifles should be sighted-in before every hunt using the ammunition you plan to use. A gun that was sighted-in prior to your last outing could have been knocked out of alignment by a single jolt. That misalignment could mean the difference between a successful hunt and a disappointing experience. 

Rifles should be topped with quality scopes at a minimum of 3x9 power with a 40mm objective or larger. Remember, we take longer shots out West, and often in low-light conditions.

For a detailed instruction on how to properly site in your rifle click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId18_lgBv0

Other than ensuring accurate shots, sighting-in a rifle has other advantages:

Over the last few years, as the concern surrounding the impact of Chronic Wasting Disease has increased, we as outfitters and hunters are left searching for answers on how to deal with the impacts of CWD. There is no known cure for the disease which makes it a grave threat to infected herds of deer and elk.

So, what can be done, and what is being done? In 2019 I was asked to be a part of a CWD working group made up of public members. This group held a series of five public meetings in hopes of using input from the working group and the public to generate ideas and recommendations. Those recommendations would, in turn, be submitted to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department in an effort to aid with a CWD Management Plan moving forward. I gained a wealth of knowledge from these meetings and feel like the ideas that were generated will be beneficial for the Wyoming Game & Fish as they attempt to tackle one of the biggest challenges they face.

There are antelope hunts. And then there’s a trophy antelope hunt on some of Wyoming’s most incredible big game habitat where the action never seems to stop. There’s nothing quite like the experience of a free-range, spot-and-stalk antelope hunt in an area with high game density and excellent trophy quality.

That’s exactly what we offer here at SNS Outfitter and Guides. We love hunting North America’s fastest land animal and our expert guides will be your tutor in the field, as you learn everything from pronghorn behavior and defense mechanisms, to judging trophy quality and planning the perfect stalk.

Back in our comfortable camps, you can spend the evenings enjoying the camaraderie and laughter of hunting camp life. Or many of our hunts give you the option of staying at a hotel in Casper, allowing you to save on the cost of your hunt and have the freedom to arrange your own meals. Either way, rest well. Because at first light you’ll be up for another day of antelope hunting on the high plains!

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If staying at one of our hunting camps, hunters will arrive the day before their hunt begins. This gives you time to check your rifle, settle in and enjoy the scenery around camp. The next morning, we’ll serve a hot breakfast before you and your guide head out to begin glassing for antelope. If you are staying in town, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you’ll be off to the ranch.

We lease well over a half a million acres of some of Wyoming’s most impressive big game habitat for antelope and deer hunting. These sprawling ranches allow our hunters to experience giant swaths of beautiful Wyoming country without public hunting pressure. These ranches are home to hundreds of antelope. And because antelope bed at night and are active throughout the day, you can expect action all day long.

All of our guided hunts, whether you’re hunting from camp or from town, include a lunch in the field. In the evenings, camp hunters will return to camp for a home-cooked dinner. Each of our camps has a dedicated cook to make sure you have everything you need. Those hunting from town will head back to Casper to explore the town and find dinner on their own.

Here at SNS Outfitter and Guides, we offer rifle antelope hunts. Or archery enthusiasts may choose the challenge of hunting antelope with a bow. Tags are easy to draw even if you don’t have any preference points. But you must book before the application deadline in March!

To learn more about our Wyoming antelope hunting opportunities, check out our website or you can request a free brochure. If you’d like to check availability for the 2017 season, please call us now at 307-266-4229.

There is something captivating about big mule deer; whether standing in a sea of sage, sneaking through the aspens, or topping over a ridge against the setting sun, the image of a big mule deer buck is a unique picture of the American West. 
The popularity of mule deer hunting never seems to wane. In fact, there’s more demand each year for tags and mule deer hunts. And thanks to careful management and hunter-funded conservation efforts, states like Wyoming and Montana offer some outstanding mule deer hunting opportunities. 
It’s easy to see why mule deer hunting is so addicting. A mature buck can weigh close to 300 pounds. In many areas, they can reach antler measurements of over 200 inches. With relatively low barriers for entry, mule deer offer one of the most accessible high-adventure hunts in the west.

Mule deer have adapted to life in a wide range of environments. They thrive from the farmlands and high plains east of the Rockies, to the tops of peaks above timberline. And you can find them from the deserts of the southwest to coastal forests along the Pacific. 
No matter where you pursue them, hunting a big mule deer buck requires patience and determination. We’ve asked some of our guides for their tips on hunting mule deer. Here are the common threads from those conversations. 
1. Glass, Glass and Glass Some More 
When speaking with mule deer hunting guides, there is one common theme you will always hear: glass, glass and keep glassing. One common strategy is to reach a high point early in the morning under the cover of darkness. There, it’s easy to set up behind a spotting scope and binoculars as daylight approaches.

In many areas, mule deer like to feed and water throughout the night. The best time to spot them is at first light, as they are traveling back toward bedding areas. Setting up on a good vantage point before daylight will allow you to spot deer while they are still up and moving. Once they lie down, mule deer are very difficult to spot. Even in sagebrush country that appears to be very “open”. 
After mule deer take their beds for the day, your opportunities to spot them may be limited. For that reason, hunting in warm weather can be tough. Being able to spot them when they’re on the move provides a significant advantage. 
Anytime you’re glassing from high points, just be sure not to skyline yourself. Set up below the ridgeline or with brush or trees as your backdrop. Otherwise, deer will have you immediately pegged.  


2. Remain Patient 
Mule deer often spend the middle of the day enjoying the shade. If the weather is warm during your hunt, you can expect them to spend even more time in bed. 
During the middle of the day, patience and a quality spotting scope are your best tools. When you feel that you’ve covered the same country dozens of times, buckle down and do it again. Picking apart the landscape with your optics can be painstaking work. But when hunting mule deer, it can really pay off. 
On a mule deer hunt, one of the greatest keys to success is being ready at all times. When the hunting is slow, it’s easy to let your guard down. But mule deer have an amazing ability to materialize out of nowhere. Keeping your senses on full alert is critical. A sudden opportunity might be your best opportunity. 
Each step of the way, take time to think about your shooting lanes, or how you’ll execute a successful stalk without getting pinned down. Act like every situation will be the one that counts.

When you finally spot that shooter buck, remain patient. If the buck is not within shooting range, you will need to take your time and plan a stalk. If the deer is still moving toward his bedding area, you may be best served to wait and watch where he beds before making a move. Anytime you can see where a buck beds down, it gives you a higher chance of success in planning an effective stalk.



3. Prepare For a Physical Hunt 
Hunting mule deer can challenge your physical abilities and that’s a great part of the adventure. Locating the buck may only be half the battle. Getting into position for a shot can be a daunting task. Mule deer hunters should be ready to cover several miles a day through rugged country. Like many types of western hunting, being in the best possible shape will help open the door to more opportunities in the field.



At SNS Outfitter and Guides, we offer mule deer hunts in Wyoming and Montana. From open country to high alpine adventures, we have a range of mule deer hunting opportunities to suit hunters with different goals or abilities. You can explore the Mule Deer Hunts on our website. For more details, contact us or give us a call at 307-266-4229.

Hunting the mule deer rut is beyond exciting when timed right. Rut hunts are not available in all states and it doesn’t happen on an exact schedule. November is rut season overall with a peak that varies based on the region. Wyoming and Montana are two of the primary states where rut opportunities exist. Many are limited draw or require outfitter access to privately leased ranches. Here’s what to expect on a late season rut hunt.

Prepare for the Weather
You might find yourself sweating in the sun or freezing in the snow. November is a month of major temperature swings and dressing in layers is critical. Pack clothes for the worst and shed them as needed. This is especially important for backcountry trips.



Expect to See Some Nice Bucks
Hunting the rut opens up some great opportunities. You may or may not pull the trigger but you are more likely to see some great animals. Watching them sniffing around, chasing does is exciting. You may see sparring and the bigger bucks that are typically very difficult to locate may cross your field of vision. The trick here is being patient and finding the right opportunity.

Rutting Bucks are Still Wary
While you may see more bucks, they are still very difficult to approach and stalk. Does are on the lookout for trouble and traveling in groups. They are quick to alert a buck when you make a wrong move. Make a game plan and look for more isolated does and small groupings. Fewer eyes increase your odds of making the stalk. While the bucks are motivated to breed, they will slip away for good if your presence is known.



Simple Tactics
Hunting mule deer can mean hours of glassing, following tracks in the snow and sitting on groups of does until a buck presents himself. Rattling is also effective when working through timbered areas that don’t have an open view. Horses are a major advantage for accessing high basins and hiring an outfitter means having comfortable camps on cold nights. Getting into the high country puts you in places where hunting pressure is low, especially during the later seasons.



 
SNS Outfitter and Guides offers some incredible opportunities for hunting trophy deer during the rut in Wyoming and in Montana. We lease hundreds of thousands of acres of beautiful ranches and we’ve been carefully managing these properties for decades. You can explore our Mule Deer Hunting opportunities. For details, you can call us at 307-266-4229 or send us a message.

Each hunting season, we have the great opportunity of hosting many hunters on their first western big game hunt. But whether it’s their first time hunting out west or not, there are still plenty of pre-trip questions to answer. One common question we hear is regarding what rifle to bring on a big game hunt.

Our big game hunting guides have the opportunity to see a lot of animals hit the ground each year. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. But most of those ugly situations had more to do with shot placement than anything else to do with the caliber of rifle.

Any hunter who has been around the block more than a few times can tell you that countless variables come into play when discussing weapon choice. But we like to keep the conversation as basic as possible. Bring the rifle that you feel the most comfortable using. In the moment of truth, shot placement becomes far more important than most other factors.

Sure, you need to select a rifle and a round that’s appropriate for the game you’re hunting. That should go without saying. But beyond an adequate setup, it’s all about shooting with the rifle, the optics, and the bullets that make you feel most confident. Your practice and your ability to make a clean shot is by far the greatest variable within your control.

We also like to emphasize the importance of taking ethical shots in the field. When the adrenaline is rushing, the excitement can affect your better judgment. Our guides will do their best to calmly talk you through the situation. In most cases, he will make sure you’re on the right animal and that you have an unobstructed shot. The best thing you can do is to go through your shooting routine and make sure you’re doing it just like you’ve always practiced!



All that to say, we would recommend spending less time sorting through the minutia of details surrounding different rounds and ballistics, and spend more time practicing with the setup you intend to use. Decide on something you’re confident in, and then practice, practice, practice. Don’t forget to step away from the bench rest and practice while wearing your hunting gear!

If you have questions leading up to your hunt this year, please feel free to contact us. If you’d like to know more about guided hunts here at SNS Outfitter and Guides, please explore the rest of our website at HuntWyo.com or you may request a free brochure!

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.

We’ve had a fun fall bear season here in western Wyoming! If you’ve ever visited the Wyoming high country in September, you know exactly why this is one of our favorite hunts of the year. Rocky Mountain weather in September is typically sunny, with warm days and crisp nights, and the leaves are starting to change. Most importantly, the bears are getting very active! 
During early September, black bears enter a period of hyperphagia, which is their fall feeding frenzy. They begin a constant foraging, looking to put on calories before the winter hibernation. 
Unlike the summertime when bears are mostly nocturnal, black bears begin feeding all throughout the day during this hyperphagia period. It is a great time to target trophy black bears in Wyoming. Boars are big and fat, and their coats are typically in great condition. 
Our fall black bear hunters have had a wonderful time this season, staying in the comfortable Box Y Lodge along the Greys River. The Greys River valley runs south of Jackson, Wyoming and is home to the largest concentration of black bears in Wyoming. This area produces mostly color phase bears with outstanding hides. 
Here are a few photos from the fall black bear hunts this year: 




From the SNS staff and the staff at the Box Y Lodge, we’d like to thank our hunters who joined us on a Wyoming black bear hunt this fall! It was a pleasure hunting with each of you. 
If you’d like more information about Wyoming black bear hunts with SNS Outfitter and Guides, please visit our Black Bear Hunting Page or refer to Hunt number 9 in our Brochure. You can also call us for specifics and availability at 307-266-4229.

It’s hard to believe that we’ve wrapped up our 40th season here at SNS—time flies. It’s been another year of outstanding trophies, unforgettable memories, and first time hunters. We are thankful for all of the hunters who chose to experience their Wyoming (or Montana) hunts with us.
As usual, we kicked off our 2017 season at the Box Y Lodge in the Grey’s River Valley. The Spring Bear hunts are a favorite of ours. As expected, the bears are slowly withdrawing from their hibernation, and there is typically still snow on the ground. This makes for an anticipatory hunt, both for the hunter and the guide. Our Spring Bear hunts also begin at the perfect time: we’re typically getting antsy for hunting season, and this relinquishes our hunting fever (at least until the fall)!
Every year, as the leaves begin to change, the meat of our hunting season begins. Between the memories that will be made, the stories that will be told, and—of course—the animals that our hunters will go home with, SNS is proud to offer a unique hunting experience. Year after year, some things simply stand the test of time: the smile on our clients’ faces as they head out for a hunt, the memories they come back to share, and the pride they feel. This season, we had first time hunters on our antelope and elk hunts; we truly love seeing the hunt through their eyes. And, of course, we had veteran hunters and returning clients—a true testament to the experience we offer.
Finally, we wrapped up our hunting season with our Montana Deer hunts, hunt 11, on November 19th. This makes for a long season, but it’s totally worth it! So, thanks again to all who hunted with us this year, as well as the previous 40 seasons!
As a quick reminder for you, the Wyoming Elk application deadline is January 31st. Please contact us with any questions you may have. You can request a brochure here.

Ambrosia Brown is the SNS Outfitter & Guides office manager - a title that doesn't begin to describe the myriad of responsibilities that she handles. We recently sat down with Ambrosia to discuss her role in the SNS office and what consumes her time during the hunting season and throughout the year. Here is what she had to say:

Q: How long have you worked for SNS Outfitter & Guides and how did you begin?
Ambrosia: I have been working for SNS for four years now, but I've known Sy for about 10 years. The job started as helping in the office with filing and some other odds and ends. It just continued to grow from there.

Q: What are your responsibilities now?
Ambrosia: My primary responsibilities include sales, booking, handling paperwork and license applications for clients, preparing the schedule for the fall hunts and communicating dates and travel plans with hunters. I answer a lot of questions from clients leading up to their trips, and I now do the grocery shopping for the camps, making sure each camp is stocked with everything we need. I have also taken a greater role in designing the brochure and flyers, and I'm even working on a new website that we are planning to launch in November.

Q: What do you enjoy most about this job?
Ambrosia: I like getting to work with our clients and help them prepare for their hunts. These folks are coming from all over the country and even internationally and it's fun to be a part of their adventure.

I also enjoy the fact that every day is different. I'm never doing the same task for very long. This job certainly never gets boring and the work is rarely monotonous.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?
Ambrosia: Because each day is different, it is difficult to stick to an agenda. Items are constantly being re-prioritized and I have to remain flexible. Something might come to my attention that needs an immediate response, and I have to be able to adjust on the fly. That is particularly true during the hunting season.

Q: Before working for SNS, did you have experience hunting?
Ambrosia: Yes, my dad hunted and I was raised on wild game. I grew up doing a lot of waterfowl and upland hunting, and I also loved fishing as a kid. While I didn't do a lot of big game hunting, it is certainly a big part of my growing up and family culture.

Q: Are you able to hunt during the season, and what else do you enjoy outside of work?
Ambrosia: Yes, I am able to hunt despite our crazy schedule during the season. We have weekends when we can go. Fortunately in Wyoming, we're very close to so much hunting opportunity. It's right here in our backyard.

I spend most of my free time hanging out with my family and kids. I have three kids who are getting more involved in sports, so we enjoy watching their sporting events. And my son turns 12 this year, which means he can now hunt. That is a fun milestone.

Thanks to Ambrosia for taking the time to tell us about herself! For more information on Wyoming hunting opportunities with SNS, please visit our website. You can also call us anytime at 307-266-4229 or request a free brochure.

A few months ago, we featured a post about the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund (WHDF), a new initiative to help protect sportsmen's to access hunting opportunities in Wyoming, educate the public about the benefits of hunting tourism, and to conserve wildlife habitat across the state. SNS Outfitter and Guides has been dedicated to this effort and our hunters have made generous donations to support WHDF.

We would like to let you know that WHDF has a new website at www.wyominghunterdefensefund.com. Please help spread the word about this effort to help make sure that we continue to have great hunting opportunities in Wyoming for many years to come.

Non-resident sportsmen contribute about $200 million each year to Wyoming’s economy, a number that dwarfs the ski industry and spreads to all parts of the state. And because less than 12% of Wyoming residents hunt big game, we rely heavily on non-residents for wildlife funding. Out of state hunters and fishermen represent a vital part of our state’s economy and recreation opportunities.

Despite these obvious benefits, a Wyoming House Bill was introduced earlier this year that would cut non-resident hunting license numbers in half. This would dry up Wildlife funding and damage hunting opportunities in Wyoming. It would suck $100 million from our local economy each year.

SNS is committed to making sure that HB 112 does not become law. It starts with educating others about the benefits of hunting tourism in Wyoming. We can also make sure that sportsmen have a clear voice representing them. That’s exactly why the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund (WHDF) was started. WHDF is currently working hard to educate Wyoming’s residents and business community of the financial contributions made by sportsmen to state’s economy, while working to conserve and protect wildlife habitats.

To help support the Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund, every hunter who books with SNS makes a small donation. The funds raised by WHDF will help influence legislative issues, conduct research, communicate, and work to make sure that hunting opportunities continue to be available in Wyoming.

Again, be sure to visit the new website at www.wyominghunterdefensefund.com or keep up with these efforts on Facebook.

This is the second part in our series on hunting mule deer. With the ever-increasing popularity of mule deer hunting, we receive a great deal of questions each year and we'd like to share some of that insight with you here. Whether high above timberline or down on the sage flats, we are passionate about chasing big mulies. Wyoming is one of the best places in the country to hunt big mule deer, and we've seen our fair share of hits and misses over the years.

In the first post in this series, we shared our 3 Rules to Follow When Glassing for Mule Deer. In this installment, we'll take a look at locating mule deer. After all, mule deer county is big - really big. On this iconic western hunt, where should you begin?

Here are our 3 rules for locating mule deer:

1. Mule deer are browsers.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="301"] 2014 Wyoming Mule Deer


Elk may be grazers, but mule deer are primarily browsers. While the territory of these two prized big game animals has some overlap here in Wyoming, mule deer have their own unique requirements. While elk can sustain themselves in heavily timbered areas with only grassy avalanche chutes and small parks for feed, mule deer tend to inhabit more open spaces.

In high alpine environments throughout the summer and early fall, mule deer often concentrate in open areas above timberline with plenty of willow, mountain avens, cinquefoil and other shrubs and seasonal forbs. Not only do these areas provide plenty of browse, but in the exposed environment above timberline, shrubs like willows provide cover, even for big bucks.

At lower elevations, the open canopy of aspen groves provide sunlight, and subsequently a host of browsing options for mule deer. As you move further down slope, gambel oak, service berry and mature sage all provide these same requirements of both browse and cover.

Wherever your mule deer adventures take you, focus your glassing on brushy areas that still hold leaves, berries or nuts. Even late in the season, mule deer can still be seen stripping the last leaves and dried morsels from a berry patch, or using subtle undulations and shallow draws to move stealthily through an otherwise open sage flat.

2. Look on steep faces and hard-to-access places.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="341"] 2014 Wyoming Mule Deer


Mule deer, especially mature bucks, feel safe on steep hills or in isolated canyons, often with cliffs or rock outcrops at their back. These areas provide the perfect afternoon rest stop for a wary ungulate. With the afternoon thermals bringing scent uphill in their face, and with a barrier above, mature bucks are notoriously hard to get close to.

In the early mornings, look for bucks to be moving from their nighttime feeding and watering areas up to more secure locations. And during the afternoon, focus your glassing on these hard-to-access places. Keep movement to a minimum and use your glass more than your feet (see our first article on glassing). Everything hinges on seeing that buck before he sees you. Sometimes, spotting an antler tip or and ear twitch is enough to give them away.

3. Deer are lazy too. They take the path of least resistance.

Like most other game, mule deer prefer the path of least resistance. While they like to bed and feed in safe places, they will typically travel the easiest routes between the two. Their survival, especially if they are going to make it through the harsh winter months, depends on conserving energy. Every calorie is vital. They will certainly flee or cross great distances when necessary. But unless otherwise spooked or forced by weather, mule deer will often keep the same patterns day after day. Keep an eye on game trails, saddles, and other places that naturally funnel traffic.

This rule also applies to changes in weather. Elk will sometimes tolerate much greater depths of snow but as a general rule, mule deer are often the first to migrate when the weather turns south. Keep this in mind, especially during mid-season hunts. October in the Rockies can bring 60-degree days and sunshine or feet of snow. If possible, mule deer hunters need to be prepared to adjust their plans and locations accordingly.

For more information on Wyoming mule deer hunts with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please see our Mule Deer Hunting Page. You can also call us anytime with questions at 307-266-4229 or request a free color brochure of our hunts.

This is our third post in a series on mule deer hunting tips. In the first article, we shared our keys to glassing on a mule deer hunt, and in the second article, we offered a few tips on where to locate mule deer. In this post, we'd like to share with you some of our tips on stalking mule deer.

As we mentioned in the previous posts, we have seen a steady increase in the popularity of mule deer hunting over the last several years. Wyoming is one of the best places on earth to chase these magnificent animals and we continually receive questions about mule deer hunting opportunities. Their size, the challenge, and the spectacular country that they inhabit all combine to make for an unforgettable big game hunting experience.

After more than 30 years of hunting mule deer in Wyoming, we have see our share of successes and mistakes along the way. Mule deer are notoriously difficult to get close to. Stalking these animals requires a great deal of patience and care. Here are our top 5 tips for stalking mule deer:

1. Avoid unnatural noises.

You can often get away with natural noises like stepping on sticks or rolling a rock. But try to minimize any unnatural noise. Zippers and Velcro are the worst offenders. They will announce your presence to anything around. If you've never hunted in the high country, you will be shocked how far sound carries across these western landscapes. It's sometimes possible to listen to a conversation on the next ridge a half-mile away. In Wyoming, we see our fair share of wind. While that decreases the noise factor, it only makes game even more alert and nervous. Hence, the next two points...

2. Don’t skyline yourself.

Whenever you’re on the move, make every attempt not to skyline yourself on a hilltop or ridge. Travel below ridgelines and conceal your movements with hills, ravines or vegetation as much as possible. Mule deer have good vision and will pick out your silhouette on a skyline in a heartbeat.

3. Pay attention to the wind.

Wind isn’t as critical when rifle hunting as it is when hunting with a bow, but it’s still a factor. Pay attention to the wind and plan your stalk accordingly. Remember that unless there’s another prevailing wind, thermals will be dropping before sunrise and after sunset. When the sun is up, thermals will be moving uphill.

4. Be patient when you don’t have an approach.

If you spot deer but you can’t get within range because of a lack of cover or bad wind, don’t rush in. If you don’t bump them, they are likely to hold the same pattern and be in that area the next day. Mule deer are creatures of habit, much more so than elk. If you blow them out, you probably won’t see them again. But stay patient, and you'll likely get another shot.

5. Don’t bump the does.

If you find a group of does, act just like you would if it were a giant buck. Do everything you can to avoid bumping them. Even well before the rut, you never know when a buck will appear. When the run begins in November, this becomes even more critical. Glass long enough, and you might spot a buck hanging with the does. By keeping does in the area, there's a good chance a buck will turn up.

For more information on Wyoming mule deer hunts with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please visit our Mule Deer Hunting Page. For information on hunts for pronghorn antelope, elk, black bear, whitetail deer and other opportunities in Wyoming and Montana, be sure to visit our Home Page. You may also request a free color brochure or call us anytime with questions at 307-266-4229.

We’ve received a great deal of questions recently about a giant crack in the earth that recently appeared on a ranch where we operate in the southern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Thinking it was interesting, but not knowing that it would get so much attention, we posted a photo on our Facebook page. After being shared more than 7,000 times, we started receiving a flood of questions and comments.

Here’s what we know so far: we have two outfitted camps on this ranch. We hunt here every year and have been doing so for decades. Our guides first noticed the giant fissure in early October. We couldn’t tell what had caused so much earth to suddenly move, but it certainly had not been there long.

A couple of weeks later, an engineer from Riverton, WY joined us to take a closer look. We walked the perimeter and took estimates on size using a rangefinder. We estimated the crevasse to be about 750 yards long and about 50 yards wide.

According to the engineer, there was a cap rock being lubricated by a spring. Additionally there was a spring running across east to west, which then caused the entire thing to slide north. The engineer estimated about 15 to 20 million yards of movement. According to the USGS, there has been no seismic activity, so we have no other possible explanations at this time.

Since posting the photo on Facebook, we’ve received countless offers from geologists, scientists and reporters from all over the world to come and take a look at this fascinating event. It truly is incredible to look at, a canyon that formed almost overnight – a mountainside that seems to have suddenly collapsed.

As we speak with experts and learn more about it, we will share updates here and on our Facebook page.

SNS Outfitter and Guides is Wyoming’s top outfitter and the largest pronghorn antelope outfitter in North America. With more than 700,000 acres of private land and prime wildlife habitat, we offer more hunting opportunities that anyone else in the state. If you’d like to find out more about our hunts, please visit our website at HuntWyo.com. For availability and specifics, please contact us online to request a free brochure.

One of the most exciting things about hunting in Wyoming is the widely varying range of opportunities. From the plains to the peaks, this is a state that offers everything. Some of our favorite hunts each year are the mule deer and antelope Combo hunts.

These combo hunts offer everything you could want in a classic, western hunt. There’s nothing like being able to spot and stalk trophy Wyoming mule deer and then go after North America’s fastest animal and one of its most beautiful, the pronghorn antelope.

We conduct these mule deer and antelope combo hunts on nearly 200,000 private acres of incredible big game habitat. This is a unique opportunity to pursue two iconic western trophies.

These hunts take place from early October to late October, depending on the location. The terrain on these ranches varies from plains to rolling hills, to steep canyons, and pine-covered foothills. Perhaps the only things better than pursuing these great big game animals is the incredible Wyoming scenery and the fun hunting camp experience.

We offer three different camps for these combo hunts. On our website or in our brochure, you can refer to Hunt 2, Hunt 5 or Hunt 10 for details. Whether you prefer to hunt from camp or from town, we can help plan a hunt that’s perfect for you or your group. For more information, give us a call at 307-266-4229.

We hope to see you here at SNS Outfitter and Guides soon on this incredible western combo hunt!

Whether it’s open country antelope hunting, a high country mule deer hunt or archery elk, we spend a great deal of time each season looking through the glass. When hunting in Wyoming’s vast landscapes, having quality binoculars provides a clear advantage. Here are three of our tips on selecting binoculars for a western hunt.

1. Consider Quality
Binoculars can be a confusing item to shop for. Everyone has a different opinion and you’ll find options that range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands. However, don’t let it make your head spin. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Higher quality glass allows more light, which is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk and can extend your glassing time at both ends of the day. High quality glass will also improve upon sharpness, distortion and color, reducing eye fatigue on hunts that require a great deal of glassing.

You don’t have to purchase an ultra high-end bino to find good quality. But there is a difference in quality at different price ranges. Like anything, you get what you pay for. When looking at binoculars, decide on the best budget you can afford and use that as your starting point.

2. Consider Size and Power
When selecting optics for western hunting, you want binos that are going to be versatile enough for any type of adventure. You also need a balance between lightweight portability and sufficient power. We typically recommend something in the 8x30 to 10x40 range.

If you were to ask 10 different guides, you’d get a variety of different answers on the pros and cons between 8x and 10x binos. But most will probably agree that either will work just fine. Both will give you enough power and field of view in a lightweight and compact package that’s easy to carry around on a mountain hunt.

3. Consider Durability and Warranty
Finally, your binos are going to get jostled, rained on, shoved in backpacks and generally abused. So durability is also critical. Be sure and select quality binoculars that are waterproof and tough. Alongside durability, make sure you ask about the warranty. When all other things seem equal, sometimes it’s the warranty that will tip your decision one way or another.

For more information on hunting in Wyoming with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please call us anytime at 307-266-4229 or send us a message.