In this episode, we dive into the wild world of the Hodag, a mythical creature with bull horns, a spiked back, and a mischievous grin straight out of American folklore. Born from the ashes of oxen, this elusive creature became a legend thanks to Wisconsin timberman Eugene Shepherd, who “captured” a Hodag with a mix of dark humor and theatrical flair. From 19th-century hoax to small-town mascot, discover how the Hodag left an indelible mark on Rhinelander, sparking tourism, festivals, and even a Hodag calling contest. Join us as we unravel the fierce, funny, and fearsome tale of Wisconsin's beloved beast!

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodag

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal - Mascot, myth or real monster? What is a hodag and what's the Wisconsin history behind it? 

HODAG COUNTRY FESTIVAL

Hodag Heritage Festival - Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce

Meet the Hodag - Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Music attributions

Bent and Broken (intro)

"Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Awkward Meeting (outro)

"Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/