(Riverton, WY) – The 47th annual 5-Shot Rabbit Hunt took place in Riverton over the weekend, continuing a long-standing local tradition of bringing together the women’s hunting community in Fremont County.
Three teams of two competed to see who could harvest the most rabbits, with each participant limited to five shots, creating a goal of 10 rabbits per team. The event was organized by Jessica Smith, who has coordinated the hunt for the past eight years.
Jackie and Ella Stoldt finished in third place with one rabbit and received the coveted Carrot Award in honor of Mrs. Graves, a former 5-Shot Rabbit Hunt Participant whose legacy the award recognizes. Bailey Smith and Renessa Grooms placed second with three rabbits. First place went to KLa Watts and Marrisa Roemmich, who harvested six rabbits to win the contest.
The hunt typically focuses on cottontail rabbits, but because of warmer temperatures and disease, participants hunted jack rabbits this year, which posed different challenges due to their skittish behavior. Organizers also made the decision to not eat any of the rabbits harvested during the event this year.
A silent auction held Friday raised money for several causes, including a breast cancer initiative, the Game and Fish Access Yes Program, and Vet Healing Adventures. Dusty Watts won the calcutta betting after bidding on his wife KLa, who went on to win the event.
Organizers are already looking ahead to the 2027 installation of the event, which may be moved to February, since rabbit-hunting conditions are best in the snow.
Bailey Smith and Renessa Grooms earn second place with three rabbits Saturday in Riverton. Ella and Jackie Stoldt are recognized for third place at the 5-Shot Rabbit Hunt awards Saturday in Riverton. Jessica Smith, left, presented awards at the banquet dinner Saturday night at Riveton’s Oddfellow Hall. Jessica Smith presents a prize target to Ella Stoldt at the awards banquet Saturday.
