No Birds Were Dropped During Turkey Trot Festival For The First Time In Nearly 70 Years

There was a tradition in the town of Yellville, AR in the fall. Wild turkeys were released ... some say dropped ... from low-flying airplanes and allowed to glide to the ground. Organizers of the Turkey Trot Festival say that the tradition ... rather than turkeys ... was dropped many years ago. But someone, and no one will say who, reportedly had unofficially continued the tradition.

Wild Turkey

This year, the FAA says was on the lookout for any turkey droppers, according to a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. PETA had posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. According to the paper "Everybody says, 'We have no idea who it is,' but everyone knows who it is."

The drop used to be sanctioned by the town, which holds the festival to celebrate one of the states' largest exports. The turkeys had originally been dropped from the top of the courthouse. Now, the turkey-droppers stay secluded, according to Yellville Chamber of Commerce President Travis Doshier.

FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the agency was paying close attention this year, watching or planes flying during the festival. He said a pilot who participates could lose his or her airman certificate. "If a plane flies over and a turkey comes out of it, we're going to be talking to somebody," he told the paper. Lunsford said he had seen videos of turkeys dropping straight to the ground and bouncing off buildings. Marion County, AR Sheriff Roger Vickers admitted that some turkeys did get hurt, but said "that's going to happen with anything."

Apparently, the federal agency's diligence and PETA protests worked. Television station KSPR reports that there were no turkeys dropped from airplanes during the festival, which was held this past weekend.

FMI: www.yellville.com