2026 Hunts
William Darabos
West Virginia
Southwest Wyoming Elk Hunt
William was born with Spinal Bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down
Sawyer Moore
Florida
Southwest Wyoming Elk Hunt
Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease.
Sheldon Dematteo
Louisiana
Southwest Wyoming Elk Hunt
Davis Cox
Florida
Southwest Wyoming Elk Hunt
Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease.
2026 Hunts
Drew Linford
Wyoming
Western Wyoming Mule Deer Hunt
Please join us for the annual fundraising event at the Broadway Theater in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Stay tuned for the latest event’s information.
Short clips from the 2025 hunts
The Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF) has organized a program “Putting the ‘U’ in Hunt” since the inception of MFF in 2012. This program is a partnership with the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission to receive Complimentary Commissioner Licenses for youths with life-threatening illnesses.
Section 13. Commissioner Complimentary License for Persons with Life Threatening Illnesses:
Persons twenty (20) years of age or younger (12) with a life-threatening illness and who is sponsored by a nonprofit charitable organization (Muley Fanatic Foundation) whose mission it is to provide opportunities and experiences to persons with life-threatening or serious illnesses. *Recipient must be the age requirement during the time of harvest.
Deadline dates to apply are January 1st – March 1st. Below are the qualification for the complimentary Commissioner Licenses.
Hunt Logistics & Coverage
Hunt Duration:
Each recipient’s hunt will be limited to two (2) hunting days. Two (2) days prior to the hunt and the day following the hunt will be scheduled for travel and logistics, for a total of five (5) days. Any additional days beyond this schedule will be the responsibility of the recipient and their party.Expenses Covered for the Recipient:
MFF will cover all expenses for the recipient, including:All required hunting license fees
Travel (flight or ground transportation)
Lodging
Hunt-day food and beverages
Gifts
MFF’s goal is to eliminate any financial burden for the youth and their family to ensure a stress-free and memorable experience. Many local businesses and volunteers also assist with hunts through generous donations.Expenses Covered for Family/Friends:
MFF will cover expenses for up to two (2) family members or friends selected by the recipient. Covered expenses include:Travel (flight or ground transportation)
Lodging
Hunt-day food and beverages
Any expenses for additional family members or friends beyond the two (2) covered individuals are the responsibility of the recipient or their family.Travel, Lodging, and Meals:
Flights for the recipient and up to two (2) approved family/friends will be booked and paid for by MFF.
For ground travel, a gift card in an appropriate amount will be provided to cover fuel and food during the trip. A rental car may also be an option.
Lodgings will be booked and paid for by MFF at locations selected by MFF. Any lodging outside of MFF-arranged accommodation is the responsibility of the party.
Lodging at or near the hunt location will also be determined and booked by MFF.
Arrival Requirements:
The recipient must arrive at least two (2) day priors to the first hunting day. MFF will coordinate all travel details and meeting arrangements directly with the parents or legal guardians.Communication with Parents/Guardians:
MFF will communicate directly with the recipient’s parents or legal guardians regarding travel, lodging, scheduling, and all covered expenses listed above. Communication will also include details regarding the firearm process, which may require a custom setup system. If needed, MFF may already have an appropriate system available.Taxidermy and Meat Processing:
Taxidermy and meat processing arrangements must be communicated with MFF in advance for proper planning.MFF will cover the cost of a euro mount and basic meat processing.
Any additional taxidermy services (shoulder mounts, life-size mounts, cape tanning, etc.) or additional meat processing (breakfast sausage, jerky, specialty cuts, etc.) are the responsibility of the recipient or family.
Hunt Expectations:
The primary goal of each hunt is to provide a successful hunt and a meaningful experience for the youth. This is not a trophy-focused hunt. The priority is to offer the best opportunity for a safe and ethical harvest with the highest chance of success. Antler size is not a priority; however, if a large animal presents a safe and ethical opportunity, it may be taken.Hunt Success:
With these goals in mind, most hunts are completed within two (2) days. To date, MFF hunt crews have maintained a 100% success rate.Application Process:
A required application will be mailed to the recipient’s address.
The application must be completed by the recipient and their parents or legal guardians, with a required section completed by the recipient’s physician.
Completed applications must be returned to MFF Headquarters (5 E Railroad Ave, Green River, WY 82935) no later than July 15 of the current year.
Licensing Process:
After receiving the completed application, MFF will:Review and verify all information
Assign the appropriate species and hunt area
Submit the application to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department with the required resident or non-resident license fee
Wyoming Game & Fish will then mail the hunting license(s) to MFF. The recipient will sign for and receive their license upon arrival in Wyoming.Season Exception:
Approved recipients are permitted to hunt up to five (5) days prior to the regulated hunting season open date, as authorized by Wyoming Game & Fish Department guidelines.
We are looking forward to the hunt!
Thank yoU to our continued donors and sponsors.
Dear Muley Fanatic Foundation,
From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone at the Muley Fanatic Foundation and to all of the sponsors, volunteers, and donors who make these incredible hunts possible. Evan's elk hunt was truly the experience of a lifetime.
At the very beginning of his journey with cancer, Evan shared with us that his dream hunt would be an elk hunt. Thanks to all of you, that dream became a reality. Seeing him return from Wyoming so fulfilled and alive was one of the greatest joys we've ever experienced as his parents. It felt as if the Muley Fanatic Foundation gave back a piece of him that cancer had so unfairly taken away.
When we first learned about your organization, we were amazed by the compassion, effort, and dedication of everyone involved. The time and care you put into creating these dream hunts for children facing serious illness is beyond inspiring. Every detail is thought through, every moment made special, and we could not be more grateful for all that you do.
We would like to extend a special thank-you to your generous sponsors—Weatherby, KUIU, and Vortex—for outfitting Evan so perfectly for his hunt. He was beyond thrilled to receive the Weatherby rifle and scope, and he absolutely loved the Vortex binoculars. These incredible sponsors, along with so many others, took care of every detail—leaving Evan with nothing more to need or want for his adventure. The generosity of every sponsor, donor, and volunteer truly made this hunt an unforgettable experience.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to the meat processor and taxidermist who work alongside the foundation to give these kids every part of the full hunting experience. Evan can't wait to try elk burgers for the first time, especially knowing it's elk that he harvested himself. He's already picked out the perfect spot on the wall for his mount and says it's something he'll proudly take with him when he has a home of his own one day.
We are also so grateful to the volunteers who came out to help pack out the elk, hiking through rugged terrain and carrying the meat with such dedication and care. And to John Grossnickle and his sons, thank you for taking Evan under your wing and showing him what a true, authentic Wyoming elk hunt is all about. He immediately felt a bond with you all and will never forget the lessons, laughter, and moments shared on that mountain.
And to Janet, who every time we spoke made us feel completely included in this journey—thank you. You passed along Evan's wishes for a truly authentic hunt, always offered kind words, and never once made me feel like his requests were too much. You made sure every detail was perfect. My dad even asked, "Why does everyone keep saying you wanted the Wyoming experience?" 😆 When I explained the conversations I had with you, he just smiled and said, "Wow—they honored every bit of his wishes." Everyone welcomed us like family from the very beginning, making this an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever.
Since the day Evan returned home, he has been a different person—he came back whole. It feels like the Muley Fanatic Foundation helped restore what cancer had taken. There's a light in his eyes again, and a renewed sense of joy and confidence that's hard to describe. Through this hunt, you've given Evan so much more than an experience—you've given him healing, hope, and happiness.
The Muley Fanatic Foundation doesn't just provide hunts—it captures the true spirit of a child and reminds families like ours that compassion, community, and courage still thrive in this world. For that, and for everything you have done, we can never thank you enough.
With heartfelt appreciation,
The Cooper Family
Mountain Dew is the official drink of the Putting the ‘U’ in Hunt program.
Video Gallery.
Many videos have been produced in the last few years of these hunts. These were made possible by the volunteer and donated time from Nick Duncombe with 495FILMS.

















































































































