Jordan Buck may rise again

Ballad of the Jordan Buck
Up in Burnett County where the land is fair,
Wild animals wander ‘round everywhere.
They say it’s hunters’ heaven and I know it’s true —
They come from Minneapolis and Baraboo.
Listen to my story and you’ll see what I mean.
It happened way back in nineteen fourteen.
Jim Jordan was out on the Gandy Dancer Trail
When he caught sight of a big whitetail.
Up it jumped when the train whistle blew;
He took his aim and he shot it through.
Well, wouldn’t you know — it was just his luck —
He got himself a world-record-breaking buck.
Chorus
It was the Jordan Buck, the Jordan buck,
You probably couldn’t it in a pickup truck.
Walkin’ through the woods, he really had to duck
He was a mighty big deer — He was the Jordan Buck.
(Repeat)
Forty-five years later the mount was found
In a second-hand store, up in Sandstone town.
Boone and Crockett came out to Bob Ludwig’s home.
They measured that rack and wouldn’t you know
Two hundred and six and an eighth was the score.
No other deer rack in the world had more.
(Chorus)
(Music and lyrics by Chris Lutter-Gardella)

Jim Jordan with the buck antlers named after him. Photo courtesy of Boone and Crockett.

James (Jim) Jordan was a 22-year-old hunter from Burnett County, Wisconsin when he shot a record buck on November 20, 1914.

Now, 106 years later, the Jordan Buck may rise again near the same site where Jim Jordan shot it over a century ago.

The Jordan Buck measures 206 1/8 net typical points under the Boone and Crockett Club scoring system and is the highest-scoring typical white-tailed deer ever harvested by a hunter in the United States and the second-highest scoring in the world.

In effect, the Jordan Buck was the world’s top-scoring typical for 79 years. Regardless of where the Wisconsin giant ranks, it’s hard to fathom a finer 10-pointer. Many antler addicts say he’s their favorite.

Now, plans are to erect a Jordan Buck statue on the Heritage Trail near Danbury so visitors can see it, stop and read about the famous buck, walk to the site where Jim Jordan shot it and even hunt the area if they desire.

It’s not hard to imagine an outdoorsman like Greg Peer of Grantsburg getting involved in the history of this famous buck.

James Jordan Buck

In fact, in 2014, 100 years after Jim Jordan shot his famous buck, Peer and others organized and held a celebration of the deer with the immense rack. They even had a Jordan Buck coin minted, a “puppet” parading as the famous buck and a special celebration with dignitaries.

Now, six years later, Peer and others are hot on the trail of bringing the Jordan Buck to an even greater level of awareness.

“We want to build a Jordan Buck Statue,” Peer proudly announced.

It would be placed at the head of the “Heritage Trail,” which leads to the exact site where Jim

Jordan shot his buck. “People can walk the trail where the deer was shot in 1914, and it should also promote hunting in the area,” said Peer.

He believes the statue, the trail and the exact area where the big buck was shot will bring tourists.

There has been some opposition to the plan since some don’t see hunting as a tourism draw.

Peer disagrees, so strongly that he’s already made an agreement with the Fast Company of Sparta, WI to build the statue.

Greg Peer poses with the Jordan Buck, while wearing a Jordan Buck sweatshirt in Springfield, MO.

In an effort to make the Jordan Buck statue as lifelike as possible, he’s enlisted the help of a company called, Antlers by Klauss of New Richmond, WI to exactly replicate the antlers. “I want it done right,” Peer said.

“This will take time. I still don’t have the funds,” he said.

But, he’s planning to pitch the idea to the Jordan Buck Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunting Association. “I will go directly to them in Hinckley, MN,” he said. He’s currently in the process of working with that organization.

If there’s one thing such ambitious projects have taught Peer, it’s that, “You’ve got to have your homework done when you go for the money.”

Wisconsin’s Jordan Buck proclamation signed by Secretary of State Doug La Follette

The Jordan Buck is hardly an unknown quantity. During the 100-year celebration, Scott Walker, then governor of Wisconsin, proclaimed a special, “Jordan Buck Day.” Burnett County also issued a proclamation. The Burnett County Sentinel also ran a story on the centennial celebration.

During the celebration in 2014, there were 12 members of Jim Jordan’s family on hand.

Famous outdoorsman Ron Schara once had the opportunity to interview Jim Jordan about his famous buck. A replica of the Jordan Buck hangs at the Crex Meadows in Grantsburg.

Currently, the real Jordan Buck antlers are mounted on a deer and displayed at the National Headquarters of Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s in Springfield, MO.

Not long ago Peer realized a life-long dream of touring the main facility in Springfield. He found the Jordan Buck and had a photo taken. He was wearing his Jordan Buck sweatshirt from the celebration in 2014.

“For me, it was the realization of a dream come true,” Peer said.

Now, he wants to take the story of the famous buck one step further and display it for all to see — and experience.

While some may not have heard about the Jordan Buck, Peer is quick to add,  “For hunters, this is a big deal.”