Is the Jackalope Truly a Resident of Wyoming?

Periodically, the Wyoming Legislature revisits a contentious topic: Should the jackalope — an imaginary jackrabbit adorned with antlers — be officially designated as the state's mythical creature?

Back in 2015, the House of Representatives in Cheyenne approved a bill to grant this title to the legendary animal. However, the proposal failed in the state Senate, mirroring the fate of previous attempts.

Who can say? Perhaps one day, these leaping, antlered rabbits will successfully cross the legislative threshold. And if not, there’s always the Jackalope Days Festival to celebrate their legacy.

Every June, Douglas, Wyoming, hosts a lively summer festival that draws visitors eager to admire the numerous antlered rabbit statues scattered throughout the town. The city is hard to overlook, thanks to a towering 13-foot (3.9-meter) jackalope statue welcoming travelers at the Interstate 25 exit.

In the region near Mount Rushmore, another colossal jackalope, complete with a saddle, awaits visitors at South Dakota’s renowned Wall Drug.

This doesn’t even account for the countless mounted "jackalope heads" displayed in diners and gift shops across the western U.S. One such trophy was presented to former President Ronald Reagan during a 1986 campaign visit to Rapid City, South Dakota.

The jackalope, a uniquely American creation, is credited to taxidermist Douglas Herrick. Sit back, and we’ll share the fascinating tale behind it.

The Jackalope Legend Is "Born"

Douglas Herrick, born on July 8, 1920, just north of Douglas, Wyoming, served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Later, he worked as a pipefitter and welder at Amoco Refinery for many years.

A passionate hunter, Herrick learned taxidermy in his youth, as did his brother, Ralph Herrick. Their family operated a taxidermy shop, which became the birthplace of Wyoming's beloved mythical creature.

Different accounts suggest the jackalope was invented sometime between 1932 and 1940, with its creation being a fortunate coincidence.

After a hunting trip, the Herrick brothers brought a jackrabbit carcass into their shop. It was placed—or perhaps tossed—near a pair of deer antlers on the floor.

The sight sparked an idea in Douglas. As Ralph recalled to The New York Times in 1977, "Doug said, 'Let's mount it just like that.'"

The Myth Grows Leaps and Bounds

"I believe it started as a joke. Many taxidermists like to have fun," Mike Herrick (Douglas' son) told the Casper Star-Tribune in 2003. "But he never expected them to become so popular. I’m sure he had no idea."

Roy Ball from Douglas, Wyoming, purchased the first mounted jackalope from the Herricks for $10. After being showcased at Ball's hotel, the unique creation was stolen in 1977, and the culprit was never found.

However, the jackalope trade was only beginning to flourish.

The Herrick family crafted and sold thousands of these hybrid creatures, attaching deer or pronghorn antlers to jackrabbit heads.

Wall Drug emerged as a key distributor. When Douglas passed away in 2003, The New York Times noted that Ralph's son, Jim, was supplying "400 jackalopes to Wall Drug in South Dakota three times annually, just a fraction of his total output."

Tall Tales of Horned Hares

The sight of mounted "dead" jackalopes sparked imaginative tales about their living counterparts. Some of these stories grew wildly exaggerated.

For instance, jackalopes are rumored to be quite musical. They are said to possess pleasant tenor voices and can occasionally be heard singing in the wild. Legend has it they particularly enjoy echoing cowboys singing around campfires, often joining in from a distance.

Good luck convincing Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster to do the same.

Another jackalope legend suggests this creature can mimic human sounds, including voices. Some tales claim it imitates distressed cries or baby sounds to lure hunters deeper into the wilderness, causing them to lose their way.

Another account alleges a Herrick family member spotted a live jackalope near Buffalo, Wyoming, in 1920. However, Ralph refuted this claim.

These whimsical stories have only amplified the jackalope's cultural significance.

Since the late 1940s, the Douglas Chamber in Wyoming has offered jackalope hunting licenses. Holders are permitted to "hunt, pursue, trap, or capture one (1) pronghorn jackalope within Converse County, Wyoming, on June 31 between sunrise and sunset." Whether any hunters have succeeded remains a mystery.

Wyoming Is Jackalope Country

The absurdity continues. On May 15, 1985, Wyoming Governor Ed Herschler signed a proclamation declaring Douglas, Wyoming, the "Home of the Jackalope."

Beyond the festival, statues, hunting licenses, and connections to Roy Ball and the Herrick family, Douglas residents have adorned everything from park benches to fire trucks with jackalope imagery.

The mythical creature also shines on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and bumper stickers. However, something far less appealing is the Shope papilloma virus.

Linked to HPV, this condition indeed causes rabbits and hares to grow horn-like tumors. If these cancerous growths appear near their mouths, they can prevent the animals from eating, leading to starvation.

While jackalopes don’t exist, historical accounts of rabbits or hares with antlers and horns date back to the 17th century—and even earlier. The virus might explain some of these sightings.

To end on a lighter note, visit the City of Douglas' jackalope hunting license webpage. There, you’ll discover a humorous, detailed "natural history" of the modern jackalope’s extinct relative.

We’re referring to the mythical saber tooth jackalope, whose singing voice reportedly "had a hint of a French accent."

Sacré bleu!