The Birthplace Of The Mythical Jackalope Is Right Here In Small Town Wyoming

Did you know that Wyoming is home to a world-famous mythical creature? No, not the Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot, or Yetis... but the hopping horned Jackalope! That's right, this oddly charming critter first sprung to life in a tiny Wyoming town.

Douglas, Wyoming is a town of about 6,000 people, which makes it pretty impressive by Wyoming standards, though it's a close-knit community that maintains a small town feel.

The town is best known for hosting the Wyoming State Fair, and for the historic Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum, which you'll find at Locomotive Park.

Beyond being a train town and fair venue, though, Douglas has become well known for one more thing - it's the home of the Jackalope!

In 1932, another Douglas - Douglas Herrick - came up with the mythical creature and started spreading rumors of its existence. After Herrick returned from a hunting trip with his brothers, he was working on a taxidermy when the idea of a jackrabbit-antelope hybrid came to him.

You'll want to come visit the Douglas Train Depot Museum to see one of the world's largest jackalopes.

Travelers like to think he's going to hop aboard the next train, but in reality, he'd never want to leave his lifelong home here in the Cowboy State.

If you love the idea of coming home with your own jackalope, you've got one chance each year.

The town issues Jackalope hunting licenses, and you can pick up your tag right here. Note that it's only good for hunting during official Jackalope season, which is just one day long, so be sure you're ready to hunt on... June 31.

Plan a trip to visit the town of Douglas and you might even come face to face with the "pedigres Leapusalopus ineptus," or Pronghorn Jackalope, yourself.

Learn more about all that's waiting for you in Douglas by visiting their city website, right here. Don't forget to mark your calendar now, so you don't miss jackalope season!