TURKEYS TO DROP -- OR NOT

Stop turkeys from being dropped from plane at Arkansas festival, lawmen are urged

Activists seek ‘Phantom’ pilot’s arrest

A turkey falls from pilot Dana Woods’ 1959 Cessna 182B at the 2016 Turkey Trot festival in Yellville.
A turkey falls from pilot Dana Woods’ 1959 Cessna 182B at the 2016 Turkey Trot festival in Yellville.

Animal-welfare activists are trying to ground "The Phantom Pilot" before live turkeys fall from the sky during the annual Yellville Turkey Trot festival Oct. 13-14.

Rose Hilliard of Bruno said she went to the Marion County sheriff's office Monday to file a complaint about the 50-year tradition of tossing turkeys from a low-flying airplane.

"They are being told a crime is going to be committed," she said. "I would hope they would do the right thing and arrest and prosecute."

Hilliard was referring to The Phantom Pilot, who has hinted on his Facebook page that he will fly again this year.

2016 Turkey Trot festival

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"Turkey Trot is around the corner," according to the Aug. 30 Facebook post. "Keep flying, my friends, and I will see you there!"

Then, Sept.

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