JOAN'S OFFICE: Week of October 20, 2013

By Joan Whetzel

Here in Texas, Jackalopes are a part of the State lore, part of the landscape. A few taxidermists have even contributed a small number of “trophies” as if to prove the existence of these mythical creatures. Truth be told, Jackalopes belong to the same level of myths as the Loch Ness Monster, Yeti, and bigfoot. The artistry of the taxidermists notwithstanding, their creations are meant to feed the tourist trade rather than being a representation of reality.

Jackalope Folklore

Where the jackalope stories originated is open to interpretation, though Douglas Herrick is said to be the inventor of the first jackalope stories. Apparently he and his brothers ran a taxidermy business in Wyoming back in the 1930s. They thought it would be funny to attach antelope horns to a stuffed jackrabbit's body to see if they could pass it off for real. The melded the animals’ names together , calling it a jackalope. The myth took off, and the family taxidermy business has sold thousands of the stuffed critters in the decades since.

What lends credence to the myth is that, due to the shope papilloma virus, jackrabbits have in fact been known to grow something that looks like horns. This may, in fact, be the source of the legends, sort of a “truth imitating fiction” kind of thing.

Jackalopes as a Part of Culture

· Since the first manipulated stuffed jack elopes first appeared on the market, they have become a decoration in many a saloon and home trophy walls.

· In many states – yes, Texas included - the stuffed trophies have been used to trick unsuspecting tourists out of their hard earned money.

· The jackalope by the name of Jack Ching Bada Bing made regular appearances in American TV show “America’s Funniest People in the 90s as well as appearing in the opening sequences of the animated TV series “Gravity Falls.”

· Several video games have Jackalopes as part of their cast of characters: Red Dead Redemption, Redneck Rampage, and Guild Wars 2

· The jackalope is the log for the Miike Snow band and for an Australian beer, the Hop Factory beer.

· “Jackalope” is the name of a Canadian pop rock group.

· There are two ice hockey teams – one professional one junior A – in Odessa, Texas that go by the name the “Odessa Jackalopes.”

Websites Propounding the "Truth" of the Jackalope

If you’re interested in hearing some of the stories about the jackalope, check out the websites:

The Jackalope

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/tall-tales/jackalope.html

The Jackalope Conspiracy

http://www.sudftw.com/jackcon.htm

The Jackalope, Douglas, WY
http://www.jackalope.org/?page_id=15

The Jackalopes of Wyoming

http://legendsofamerica.com/wy-jackalope.html