This week I promised you a story about wild turkeys that were going to be saved from the dinner plate. If you're reading this because you really wanted to see that story, sorry -- I lied.
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
Actually, I didn't lie; I just didn't know the whole story myself. Not long ago we got a press release from the National Wild Turkey Federation. It basically said, "You know how the president pardons a domestic turkey every year? Well, how about the wild turkey?" It went on to say how they were going to release some wild turkeys into a "suitable habitat" near Tampa, Fla. What would you think if you read that?
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
Only later did I learn that these turkeys were being released at the very same location where they'd been captured the day before. These turkeys hadn't been rescued. They'd been kidnapped! Why would anyone capture a turkey just to let it go again?
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
I asked that tough question to the Federation's vice president, James Earl Kennamer. It was a real tough, Mike Wallace-esqe, interview...
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
...until my shirt got stuck on the barbwire fence and I had to ask James Earl to set me free, too.
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
James Earl then told me that this was a staged media event to get people thinking about wild turkeys and the role hunters have played in bringing the species back from near extinction. A hundred years ago there were only about 30,000 wild turkeys in America. Now there are more than 7 million. He says hunting taxes and fees have financed much of the comeback - great news for the species as a whole...
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
...not so great news for the 14 turkeys that had to spend the night in cardboard boxes barely bigger than a breadbox.
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
This got James Earl and I into a discussion on the rights of the individual turkey versus the good of the species as a whole.
Steve Hartman Cries Fowl
Getting my shirt stuck was slightly more fascinating.