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 I've only ever seen a Wild Turkey a couple of times, and then not always particularly good views (except once when Jack Cole and I saw a whole flock on the edge of woodland on the way into the Panoche Valley - a sighting that Jack swears was of wild birds and that I've spent many years mildly irritating him by suggesting it wasn't), but when I have seen them I've always been struck by their size and bearing.
Somewhat like the secretive and sought-after wild pheasants of East Asia Wild Turkeys are actually really charismatic birds with beautiful colouring and real presence - hard to believe when you see their cowed, all-white domesticated relatives being shoved into plastic sacks after a good gassing down at Ol' Bernie's Turkey Farm...
Anyway, I read the following - which came in the always interesting Birder's United "Latest News" email - the other day and I just have to ask, What on Earth have we got against Turkeys?
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This past September, the Elstonville, Pennsylvania Sportsman's Association held an archery contest. According to investigators, club members fastened turkeys to bales of hay by their feet. The turkeys were able to flap their wings but otherwise could not move.
Contestants who participated paid $12 to shoot three arrows at the turkeys. If a turkey was wounded the archer won the bird. The turkey was then beheaded and processed for the archer to take home. Children were permitted to participate, shooting at the turkeys from less than 50 feet away. Alcohol was served at the event.
Many of the turkeys were wounded and cried out in pain. An undercover agent for the Pennsylvania Humane Society called state police who shut down the turkey shoot. The club was cited for eight violations of animal cruelty laws. The most the club could be fined under current law is $5,000.
Birders United Action Alert: Supporters of Birders United in Pennsylvania who would like to make the penalties for cruelty to birds much stronger should contact their local state representatives and senators. You can find the e-mail address for your state legislator by clicking here.
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Wow, "sportsmen" eh? That's real sportin' of you fellas...you must be very proud.
And some people still wonder why - as a birder - I'm vegetarian and anti-hunting...
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Technorati tag - birds, hunting
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