Legendary jackalope may take official place in Wyoming history

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- The meadowlark, bison and horned toad are all official symbols of Wyoming. The jackalope, most elusive of the state's critters, may soon join the list.

The Wyoming House voted 45-12 Wednesday to declare the part-antelope, part-jackrabbit as the state's official mythical creature. The legislation now goes to the state Senate.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dave Edwards, hopes his measure will be a boon retail sales of stuffed jackalopes.

Taxidermist Doug Herrick is credited with creating the first jackalope in 1939 by screwing antelope horns to a mounted jackrabbit.

It's been a staple of Wyoming postcards and gift shops ever since.

Stan Mullinnix, owner of a store that sells jackalope statuettes, applauded the vote. He likened the jackalope to the famed Pennsylvania prognosticating groundhog.

"Punxsutawney Phil is something that united not only a community but an entire state behind an absolutely wonderful mythological creature, and I think our own native jackalope is a creature of equal standing," he said.