Can you imagine a Vermont landscape without spotting the occasional flock of wild turkeys? Thanks to the efforts of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and a dedicated team of wildlife biologists, you don’t have to.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the successful reintroduction of the Eastern wild turkey in Vermont after the species had largely disappeared from the state in the 1850s as a result of rapid deforestation to create farmable land.
VT Folklife, VT Fish & Wildlife, and the National Wild Turkey Federation are celebrating this tale of wildlife conservation with a series of Listening Parties at breweries across the state. A bit like a DJ set of the spoken word, we’ll share recorded stories drawn from an oral history project that documents the history of Vermont’s turkey restoration, and also invite YOU, our audience, to share your own stories from the field, be it a successful hunt, a near miss, or a simple moment of appreciation for these magnificent birds.
Join us to commemorate over 50 years of turkey hunting while fostering community engagement and sharing tales of conservation success, camaraderie, and a shared love of the Eastern wild turkey.
This event is presented in partnership with VT Fish & Wildlife, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.