Pilot defies FAA, PETA for ‘ turkey drop’ tradition
Randall Layton hadn’t captured a live turkey for years, at least since he was a child attending Yellville’s annual Turkey Trot. But this weekend, Layton said he was a lucky man.
The Yellville resident, 38, was one of the first to catch a turkey over the weekend during the festival.
The turkey was one of at least half a dozen that came from the sky, from what many know now as “The Phantom Pilot.” The return of the unknown pilot and the turkey release helped celebrate Turkey Trot’s 70th year in Yellville.
“It felt really neat. I’m glad they’re still doing this,” Layton said. “It’s a neat tradition.”
Thousands watched as the Phantom Pilot reappeared over the city in a private airplane with several turkeys in tow. One by one, turkeys glided toward the ground as the crowd cheered. Dozens of people, including Layton, chased each turkey in hopes of a successful capture.
Some turkeys perched on the nearest tree branch; others made it to the ground. Festival officials said it had been at least six years since a plane had released turkeys in midair.
The release of turkeys from an airplane occurred Saturday in defiance of the Federal Aviation Administration warning that such a move could result in prosecution and jail time.
It also came in defiance of animalrights group PETA, which has offered a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of “turkey drop participants.”
Despite the warnings, officials say 2015 proved to be a successful year for Turkey Trot, attracting an estimated 10,000 people over the weekend. The festival was organized by the Yellville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Like I told the folks, in the event that they missed it, those turkeys flew perfectly well to the ground and no animals were harmed. We were just very excited that the Phantom Pilot decided to show himself again,” said Keith Edmonds, Chamber president.