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The Baxter Bulletin reports that no live turkeys were dropped from an airplane during the Yellville Turkey Trot Festival. It was held Friday and Saturday.

The drops, in which panicked birds have often dropped like stones to their deaths, apparently were discouraged by a $5,000 reward offered by PETA for the identity of the so-called phantom pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration’s promise to go after flight safety violations.

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Actions might have changed, but local hearts and minds have not. The Baxter Bulletin account reports good sales of T-shirts lauding the turkey drop pilot and broad support for the practice.

A Facebook page ostensibly established by the turkey dropper contains supportive remarks for dropping turkeys to their deaths. It’s apparently viewed as almost an inalienable right and immensely hilarious. Sample comments:

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* There are literally hundreds more citizens like us that are behind all efforts and will be supportive.

* Love It…Let it Rain Turkeys

Nice folks. Maybe they can have a puppy drop next year.

UPDATE: That Facebook page is now full of an angry screed from a bully who clearly isn’t happy that his juvenile stunt of animal cruelty was interrupted by the FAA. What a jerk.

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UPDATE II: A reader claiming to be the turkey dropper has chimed in on our earlier thread on the topic and promised to bomb the city with turkeys again next year, PETA and FAA be damned. What a jerk. And still talking tall from hiding. PS — He’s also blocking comments on his Facebook page from critics. What a wuss.

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