Quick Take
- The Nickname: Wisconsin became the “Badger State” in the 1800s because lead miners lived in their dug-out mines to survive brutal winters—earning them the nickname “badgers.”
- Kid Power: The animal wasn’t made official until 1957, following a persistent letter-writing campaign led by four schoolchildren from Jefferson County.
- The Compromise: To settle a legislative debate with Northwoods lawmakers, the Badger was named “State Animal” while the White-tailed Deer was named “State Wildlife Animal.”
- The Icon: Today, the badger is a symbol of tenacity found on the state flag, the Capitol architecture, and as the famous “Bucky” mascot for UW-Madison.
Growing up near Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital, I discovered badgers at a young age. The city is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the largest public university in the state. It wasn’t unusual to see the school’s red and white colors plastered on bumper stickers, jackets, winter scarves, and anything else that could display school spirit.
The most eye-catching aspect of UW-Madison, though, is the school’s mascot, Bucky. This fierce-looking badger sports a red-and-white striped W sweater, clenched fists, and a posture that makes it clear he means business.
While I did eventually learn about the history of the actual animal and its relevance to Wisconsin, it was Bucky that initially introduced me to the badger. But there’s more to Wisconsin’s badger history than Bucky. The American badger became Wisconsin’s official state animal in 1957 after four Jefferson County schoolchildren petitioned lawmakers. Here’s how and why the Badger State chose this tenacious and resourceful critter as the state animal.
Why Did Wisconsin Choose the Badger?
To understand why the badger makes sense as the state animal, it helps to take a trip far back into Wisconsin’s past. Long before it became a state in 1848, the southeastern region of what we know today as Wisconsin was an area rich with lead, a valuable natural resource…