The Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF), host of the annual Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt, announces that their annual hunt event will go on October 8 – 11, 2020. The hunt is based out of the Ranch at Ucross east of Buffalo, WY. Participants will gather to hunt in groups of two with a guide to take part in an activity that naturally embraces practices of social distancing outdoors.
Historically, the event has also hosted an auction dinner fundraiser for the Women’s Foundation that is open to the public on Friday night of the weekend-long event. To comply with density requirements of state and county health orders, CDC guidelines and the space available, WYWF is taking the auction ONLINE. Hunters, guides and the landowners involved in the hunt will still gather for meals at the ranch as usual, but with health guidelines in place.
Online bidding and raffle tickets for the auction will be available Oct. 1–17. WYWF will host a LIVE video streaming event at 7 pm on Saturday, October 17. It will feature video highlights from the 2020 event, interviews with hunters and LIVE raffle pulls. The LIVE streaming event can be viewed by anyone, and a link to the video will be available starting at 7 pm on October 17 at WyomingWomensAntelopeHunt.org.
The event raises funds for WYWF’s mission—to invest in the economic self-sufficiency of women and opportunities for girls in Wyoming, which is now more important than ever.
“Women in Wyoming have faced disproportionately higher rates of job losses due to COVID-19, while at the same time, many women have experienced an increase in responsibilities at home. The new pressures of connecting their children to online learning often fall to them,” says Bekah Smith, WYWF Director. “To thrive in this challenging economic climate, women need new pathways to self-sufficiency, and the success of this fundraising event is critical to providing those opportunities.”
The online format will enable WYWF to share Hunt video highlights with attendees, connect them with others in the Hunt community, wrap up the bidding for our online auction and do some LIVE raffle pulls. Sponsors interested in being part of the event are encouraged to sponsor an Auction Watch Party for their home or office.
Nationwide, outdoor activities have been particularly popular this summer and fall as a way for people get out of their homes and communities and put space between themselves and others—and minimize the risks of contracting the coronavirus. WYWF is expecting 41 hunters in-person for the hunt in October, and the event sold out earlier than usual this year. In fact, there is a waitlist.
“Enjoying the outdoors is one of the best options for women who need a positive outlet in their lives right now,” says Smith. “We are pleased to be able to host this event that provides an opportunity to learn or teach another woman a new skill. Finding ways to meaningfully connect with others is more important than ever to many now.”
Supporters can register to attend or donate an auction item by visiting WyomingWomensAntelopeHunt.org. Please call 307-721-8300 or email alex@wycf.org with any questions. Thank you!
While it will not be possible for outside media to be present at the 2020 hunt, there are opportunities to interview hunters, guides and organizers virtually before and after the hunt.
Please check out our full 2020 Media Kit and then email alex@wycf.org to coordinate virtual interviews.
About the Wyoming Women’s Foundation
The Wyoming Women’s Foundation is a priority fund of the Wyoming Community Foundation, which granted over $11 million to nonprofits across the state in 2019, and over $85 million since its inception in 1989. The Women’s Foundation builds on a permanent endowment that will ensure funding to enhance the lives of women and girls in Wyoming for generations to come. It makes grants to organizations that help Wyoming women and girls attain economic self-sufficiency, creates statewide awareness of the barriers to economic self-sufficiency, and supports systems change to eliminate those barriers. Learn more at wywf.org.
