Demand is steep to participate in an annual and unique antelope hunting event in Wyoming that is exclusive to women. There’s a waitlist for this year’s hunt in October. The reason for the popularity? The hunt changes the lives of the participants in numerous and significant ways. “The biggest takeaway from my first antelope hunting trip has been this: I came back a different woman than when I arrived at Ucross, Wyoming,” said one participant. “I am stronger, empowered, and I know I can achieve anything I put my mind to in life.”
In its 12th year, the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt prides itself on one of its foundational principles—to help women be economically self-sufficient. “Teaching women to hunt can help them feed their families nutritious food and fulfills our mission of investing in the economic self-sufficiency of women,” said Shannon.
The hunt is a program of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF), whose mission is to invest in the economic self-sufficiency of women and in opportunities for girls in Wyoming. WYWF is a priority fund held at the Wyoming Community Foundation.
Shannon works for WYWF, and she is justifiably proud of this hunt. “There are many things that set us aside from other guided hunts,” she said, “including our focus on economic self-sufficiency. In 2023, 32 of the 46 hunters harvested an antelope, 20 with a single shot. Moreover, 17 of the 32 were first-time hunters.”
As with the genesis for many great ideas, this one started simply—when two friends were out hunting. Marilyn Kite, a retired Wyoming Supreme Court Justice, was antelope hunting with her sister-in-law, Karey Stebner, outside of Rawlins, Wyoming. They came up with the idea of an all-women’s antelope hunt.
Justice Kite shared the idea with friends Lynne Boomgaarden (current Wyoming Supreme Court Justice) and Donna Wichers. The women approached WYWF to organize and host the event, and the idea took off.
THE PARTICIPANTS
“Our event exists to help participants overcome the barriers associated with hunting, including hesitation, or lack of hunting skills, knowledge and resources,” Shannon said. “We are truly here to help.”
There are three ways to participate as a hunter in this event: through sponsorships, as an individual, and on scholarship. Hunt spots are open to both Wyoming and out-of-state residents. No experience is needed, and all interested women are encouraged to fill out an application.
Roughly one-third of all hunters attend the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt on scholarship each year. There are general scholarships as well as one for a Wyoming single mother and one for a U.S. military veteran.
Sponsored hunt packages cost $5,500 each in 2024. Sponsors receive promotional benefits, and many send hunters of their choice to participate.
“We ask sponsors to share what aspects of our work they identify with and what their primary objectives are (i.e., involve employees, showcase product, network, create brand visibility, etc.),” Shannon said. “We’re looking for sponsorship partners who are invested in improving women’s economic self-sufficiency, mentoring and leadership opportunities, and camaraderie among women through hunting.”
Individual hunt packages cost $3,500 each in 2024, and payment plans are available.
“The demand for hunt spots has grown tremendously over the past 12 years,” said Shannon, “requiring us to keep a waitlist and unfortunately turn away folks who are interested. Since I’ve been here, I’ve witnessed sponsored spots sell out annually as well as several hundred scholarship applications each year for the approximately 10 available spots.”
Roughly 46 hunters attend each year of all age ranges. On average, there are two to six hunters under 18 annually. Last year, the event hosted hunters from 12 different states, with 50% coming from Wyoming.
One of the event’s goals is to encourage first-generation hunters. Thus, the selection committee looks for candidates who don’t have the opportunity to participate in a guided hunt otherwise. In 2023, 21 of the 46 participants were first-time hunters.
All hunters must have their hunter safety certification and must arrive with all necessary clothing and gear. Many hunters choose to bring their own rifle for the hunt and hence must bring their own ammunition. If a hunter does not have a rifle, one will be provided.
THE MENTORS AND SUPPORTERS
The hunt wouldn’t happen without the dedication of numerous volunteers, including the outstanding hunting guides.
“The dependability and professionalism of our guides are crucial to ensuring a safe and successful event for our hunters,” Shannon said.
The majority of the hunting guides are men, and many of them are landowners in the area. “They’ve grown to be some of our biggest supporters and have introduced many friends and family members to our community,” said Shannon.
Another large group of volunteers are past hunters who see such great value in the event that they return each year to help out. And then there are many accomplished women who are valued friends of the event.
“We’ve been fortunate to have the support of many prominent women who have shared in the hunt experience and continue to be involved in some capacity,” Shannon said. Those include
Julie Golob, a member of Smith and Wesson’s shooting team, who was a special guest at their inaugural hunt in 2013. [See our cover story on Julie Golob on page ??.]
Other supporters have included Wyoming’s first female Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kite, Ms. Wheelchair USA 2013 Ashlee Lundvall, and Wyoming’s First Lady Jennie Gordon.
THE RANCH AT UCROSS
The WYWF picked the location for the Women’s Hunt with advice from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
“Alongside the Game and Fish Department, we identified the north-central area as the best location because historically many of the hunt areas had unsold licenses,” said Shannon.
The Ranch at Ucross is located in northeast Wyoming at the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, with wide vistas of grasslands, mountains and a river.
“It’s a magical venue,” said Shannon. “The Ranch at Ucross is owned by Blair Hotels and is the only facility we know of in the middle of the hunt areas that has accommodations for over 40 hunters and hunt staff.”
Participants hunt exclusively on adjacent private ranches, thanks to generous landowners.
Once a hunter fills her tag, she may take part in other activities hosted by volunteers, such as fly fishing, archery, trap/ skeet shooting and a game-meat cooking demonstration.
To further the idea of economic self-sufficiency, successful hunters can learn how to handle their antelope at a meat-processing workshop.
“Of the 32 harvests last year, nine hunters chose to process their animals themselves with the help of our mentors,” said Shannon, “14 sent their harvests to the local processor, and nine donated to the Food from the Field program. (see sidebar).
HONORING PARTICIPANTS
The annual Recognition Banquet is an important part of the event as a way to celebrate the spirit of the hunt, including themes of proficiency, ethical hunting and camaraderie.
“Our recognition structure was developed in partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club,” Shannon explained. “It’s the oldest wildlife conservation organization in North America, founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell.”
Creative names add further distinction to the honors:
Roman Goddess of the Hunt recognizes all new big game hunters who harvest during the event.
Annie Oakley recognizes all individuals who harvest their antelope with one shot. (If warranted, a follow-up shot must be taken to ensure an ethical harvest.)
Super Stalker recognizes the individual hunter (and her guide) with the closest harvest shot.
Founders’ Cup recognizes the sponsored team with the closest average shot distance.
Teddy Roosevelt Sportswoman celebrates the type of personal character Roosevelt held in highest regard: an adventurous spirit, determination, self-reliance, and the need to give back more than taken. It is given to the participant who had the fortitude to keep trying, and regardless of the situation, they came out on top with a smile on their face. Voted on by the guides, this may go to a hunter who does not harvest an animal.
Last but not least, Sister of the Sage recognizes all participants as members of the lasting network of event alumni who act as mentors to each other going forward.
A HUNT THAT CHANGES LIVES
Rebekah Smith Hazelton is the Director of the Wyoming’s Women Foundation, the event’s host.
“I see women who show up to the hunt not knowing what to expect, sometimes pretty nervous about how it’s going to go,” she said. “When they leave three days later with a newfound confidence from having hunted, when I find out they are still in touch with their hunting partner 10 years later, when I learn their life trajectory has changed because of their experience at the Hunt, I know we’ve been successful. And this happens every year.”
Aside from the direct impact on participants, the event raises funds and awareness for WYWF during its annual Auction Dinner. Since 2013, nearly $1 million has been raised for grantmaking, special projects like the hunt, and other statewide initiatives.
This year, the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt will take place from October 10 to 13, 2024. The hunt spots are full, but there are still ways to attend as a supporter.
“We created a new opportunity last year called the Friend of the Hunt Weekend Pass, which offers folks the chance to cheer for hunters at the meatpole, participate in outdoor activities, and join nightly dinners for $450,” said Shannon. “There are also opportunities for sponsors to purchase tables at Friday’s Auction Dinner.”
Past supporters of the hunt continue to praise WYWF and its unique hunt. Jana Waller, the host and executive producer of Skull Bound Chronicles, said, “It is an amazing foundation, and the Women’s Antelope Hunt is remarkable. Every state should have a program just like that!”
GAME MEAT DONATIONS IN WYOMING ARE A TEMPLATE FOR OTHERS
The Food from the Field program enables hunters to share their bounty by donating game meat to participating local processors. They, in turn, prepare it for local organizations to distribute to neighbors in need.
Donations of game meat to food pantries are streamlined with the help of several partners, including the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.
Successful hunters in the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt can choose to donate their antelope to this program as well. Roughly 90% of the cost to process these donations are paid by Wyoming’s First Lady, Jennie Gordon, and her team.
Annually, 25 to 30% of these antelope hunters have donated since the creation of the program. In 2023, nine of the 32 successful hunters donated their meat to feed others.
There are many regulations and restrictions about donation of game meat, and Wyoming’s successful system can serve as a model for other states.
