Douglas: "The Jackalope Capital of the World"
Douglas, about 50 miles east of Casper via I-25 South, is the self-proclaimed "jackalope capital of the world," because, as the tall tale goes, pioneers first spotted the legendary critter near town in 1829. For the uninitiated, a jackalope is a jackrabbit with a full rack of antlers growing between its ears, measuring about four feet at the shoulder. The city honors the beast with an 8-foot statue at the aptly named Jackalope Square (3rd and Center sts.) and an annual festival in May or June. Jackalope hunting licenses are even available from the Douglas Area Chamber of Commerce, but the season is limited to only 2 hours each year. For more information, contact the chamber at 121 Brownfield Rd., Douglas, WY 82633 (tel. 877/937-4996 or 307/358-2950; www.jackalope.org).
