Looking in the past

In the late 30's and early 40's we raised turkeys.   In the winter we kept them in a pen that was covered on the top to keep them from flying out.   When spring came we would open the gate to let run free.    They would stay home until they started nesting.   They would hide their nest along the creeks and the Indian cave.   Some would be as far away as 1/2 mile.    They were hiding their nest from us and coyotes and other predators.   We would be playing or fishing and find their nest.   In the fall when it started getting cold the mother turkey would bring their young back home.   They would roost in the trees close to their pen, finally when it got cold enough they go back in their pen.     At Thanksgiving we would dress one for dinner.   We always used the big cottonwood tree to hang them on to pick their feathers