# Original Buckeye Chuck — Historic Taxidermy Mount (Provisional Reference Record) - Link: https://wmrnhistory.com/accession/wmrn-2026-085/ - Published: 2026-10-12T18:37:25-04:00 - Author: Brendon Hamblin ## Document ## Identification & Description ### Title Original Buckeye Chuck — Historic Taxidermy Mount (Provisional Reference Record) ### Description **Provisional reference record — physical object not confirmed in WMRN Radio History Archive custody.** This taxidermy mount, identified in published reporting and statements by WMRN broadcasters as the preserved original Buckeye Chuck, depicts a groundhog posed on a textured, earth-like display base incorporating a simulated burrow opening. A rectangular dark plaque on the front reads “BUCKEYE CHUCK”; a small circular medallion appears on the right. The provided photograph documents the appearance of a mount attributed to this tradition. Formal visual identification and documentation of its present condition remain pending. Buckeye Chuck is the weather-predicting groundhog associated with WMRN Radio and the Groundhog Day tradition initiated by broadcaster Charlie Evers in Marion, Ohio. The Ohio General Assembly officially recognized Buckeye Chuck in 1979. In an interview, WMRN broadcaster Paul James stated that Evers arranged preservation of the original animal by a local taxidermist; neither the taxidermist’s identity nor the date of preparation has yet been independently verified. Reporting by Ideastream Public Media documents use of the original taxidermied Buckeye Chuck at the 2023 Groundhog Day celebration when a live groundhog was unavailable. During WMRN’s February 2, 2025 broadcast, the mount was described as fragile and ordinarily kept on display at the station. These sources support its historical role as a physical reminder of WMRN’s longstanding community broadcasting tradition. **Custody notice:** The current owner, present location, acquisition method, dimensions, preparation date, maker, and photographic rights have not been confirmed. This is a documentation-only draft and does not claim physical ownership or transfer of the mount to the WMRN Radio History Archive. **Related WMRN records:** WMRN-2026-020 (Buckeye Chuck celebration photographs); WMRN-2026-040 (Groundhog Day television coverage, including a Charlie Evers interview); WMRN-2026-050 (Buckeye Chuck promotional buttons). ### Accession Number WMRN-2026-085 ### Object Type [Promotional Object](https://wmrnhistory.com/archive/?taxquery%5B0%5D%5Bcompare%5D=IN&taxquery%5B0%5D%5Btaxonomy%5D=tnc_tax_2741&taxquery%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D%5B0%5D=239) ### Date Date of preparation unknown; documented in use in 2023 ### Creator Roles / Attribution Attributed to an unidentified local taxidermist; according to Paul James, Charlie Evers arranged preservation of the original groundhog. Attribution and date await corroboration. ### Historical Context The original taxidermied Buckeye Chuck is part of the material culture of the WMRN Groundhog Day broadcasting tradition. Charlie Evers developed the local celebration, and Buckeye Chuck was officially designated Ohio's weather-predicting groundhog in 1979. An Ideastream report dated February 2, 2024 documents use of the original taxidermied Buckeye Chuck at the 2023 public Groundhog Day event when a live groundhog was unavailable. A 2025 WMRN broadcast describes the mount as fragile, kept at the station, and originating from a taxidermist. Paul James attributes commissioning the work to Charlie Evers. The exact specimen identity, date of mounting, and uninterrupted chain of custody still require documentary confirmation. ### Sources / References 1. Ideastream Public Media / Ohio Newsroom, Kendall Crawford, “Meet Buckeye Chuck, Ohio’s official weather-forecasting groundhog,” February 2, 2024: [https://www.ideastream.org/2024-02-02/meet-buckeye-chuck-ohios-official-weather-forecasting-groundhog](https://www.ideastream.org/2024-02-02/meet-buckeye-chuck-ohios-official-weather-forecasting-groundhog)( 2023 appearance of original taxidermied groundhog). 2. WMRN / iHeart, “Buckeye Chuck's Groundhog Day Show 2025!” February 2, 2025; statement at approximately 07: 54–08:16: [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-marion-now-moving-our-com-52362194/episode/buckeye-chucks-groundhog-day-show-2025-263610137/](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-marion-now-moving-our-com-52362194/episode/buckeye-chucks-groundhog-day-show-2025-263610137/)( fragility and WMRN station display). 3. Interview with Paul James, “Buckeye Chuck,” groundhogday.site transcript, publication 2026 (interview refers to planning for 2026), [https://groundhogday.site/transcript/Buckeye-Chuck](https://groundhogday.site/transcript/Buckeye-Chuck)( local taxidermist; Charlie Evers; year unknown; tours and event display). 4. WMRN Radio History Archive, WMRN-2026-040, recording of Groundhog Day broadcast of February 2, 2006: [https://wmrnhistory.com/accession/wmrn-2026-040/](https://wmrnhistory.com/accession/wmrn-2026-040/)( Charlie Evers interview mentions a stuffed groundhog, but identification with this same mount is NOT established). 5. User-supplied historical photograph of a Buckeye Chuck display, reference supplied October 12, 2026; creator/date/rights unknown. Original unaltered source has a Majic 95.9 corner graphic; AI-edited image derivatives must be identified separately. ## Content and Context ### Stations / Brands [WMRN Radio](https://wmrnhistory.com/archive/?taxquery%5B0%5D%5Bcompare%5D=IN&taxquery%5B0%5D%5Btaxonomy%5D=tnc_tax_2792&taxquery%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D%5B0%5D=433) ### Archive Collection(s) Buckeye Chuck Collection — provisional reference documentation; not a custody-confirmed accession. ### Keywords Buckeye Chuck; Charlie Evers; WMRN; original Buckeye Chuck; groundhog; woodchuck; Marmota monax; taxidermy; museum display; Groundhog Day; Marion Ohio; heritage radio; broadcast mascot ### Place / Location Marion, Ohio; WMRN Radio association (reported custody as of February 2025) ## Physical Description and Location ### Quantity / Extent Reportedly one groundhog taxidermy mount on an earth/rock-textured presentation base with burrow opening, BUCKEYE CHUCK plaque and round commemorative medallion; quantity and constituent materials subject to physical verification. ### Dimensions Not measured; physical inspection required ## Rights and Access ### Rights Holder Ownership and reproduction rights not established. Physical custody and image copyright are separate and both require verification. ### Access / Use Restrictions Draft documentation only. Do not describe the WMRN Radio History Archive as physical owner, borrower or custodian without documentary evidence. Do not release or publish source photographs until photographer/rights holder and reuse permission are confirmed. Distinguish enhanced/AI-generated derivatives from the unaltered evidentiary photo. ### Rights Status Rights Unknown ## Attachments ![](https://i0.wp.com/wmrnhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/7578A3BB-CE60-4BA6- 884F-BF72CACC11E8.png?resize=275%2C275&ssl=1) ![](https://i0.wp.com/wmrnhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/7578A3BB-CE60-4BA6- 884F-BF72CACC11E8.png?fit=1301%2C1209&ssl=1)