The Legend of the Jackalope
By: Katelyn Parker
If you grew up in the state of Wyoming, then you probably remember exactly how old you were when you discovered that the Jackalope was not actually a real creature. As a kid I would always keep my eyes peeled for the horned Jackrabbit, wanting above all else to spot one in its natural environment. It wasn’t until I was in the seventh grade that I was convinced that they were indeed a mythic animal. It was hard for me to believe because our local Dairy Queen had a European mount of a Jackalope hanging in the dining area. I was both disappointed and relieved when I discovered the truth because I had had enough encounters with Jack rabbits to know that if they did in fact have antlers, they would be a force to be reckoned with. But how did the myth of the Jackalope begin?
The History of the Jackalope
Those who still believe the Jackalope is real believe that early trappers had hunted the Jackalope for its fur and mount. These individuals are still hopeful to one day prove their theory correct. In actuality, the history of the Jackalope originates with two brothers who had a great sense of humor. In the early 1900’s after a day of hunting Jack rabbits, brothers Douglas and Ralph Herrick brought their bounty home and one of the dead rabbits found itself situated next to a pair of antlers, giving the rabbit the appearance of having horns. To memorialize the accident the brothers taxidermied a Jack rabbit with deer antlers and the legend was born.
How the Legend Grew
Douglas, Wyoming (where the brothers lived) quickly adopted the legend and the fantastical creature became part of the towns branding. The legend of the Jackalope quickly spread and is now an icon of the west. Tourists travelling to experience the American west can bring home a Jackalope bust from almost any gift shop and share the legend with their friends and families back home. I can’t help but wonder how many of these tourists and their friends and families still believe the creature to be real, returning home without the full story. For many locals, supporting the myth and convincing individuals the creature is real has become a running joke. The town of Douglas has gone so far as to sell hunting permits for Jackalopes. If one took the time to read the permit in its entirety it is obvious that it is a well-planned jest. For example, the permit states the hunting season for Jackalopes is June 31st from sunrise to sunset only. The permit also includes a “history of the Jackalope” which describes the observations of trapper, Roy Ball, who describes the Jackalopes mating ritual to occur only in torrential storms with flashes of lightning. What began as a practical joke amongst brothers has become an elaborate scheme and an inside joke amongst Wyomingites.
We are curious to know how old you were when you were convinced that the Jackalope was a mythical creature and not actually bounding across the open range. Share your Jackalope stories and tag us @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld.