The following information was mentioned in the April 2012 edition of the Big Pines Volunteer's Newletter in the article: "Big Pines History...The Last Outpost":
In 1933 "Joe", a LA County Ranger who lived alone in a cabin down in Prarie Fork, was raisning wild turkeys for the CDFG. At first they were being raised in pens, but then with approval of the Fish and Game they were turned loose, thinking they'd take to the hills and would provide for a good turkey hunt for people at a later date. State officials rubbed their hands together in anticipation of having extra cash flow from the purchases of special hunting tags that these wild turkeys would bring in.
Joe's idea about turkeys was an excellent one; after all, they were a lot better tasting than quail. There was one small problem. Most of the turkeys were caught and eaten by predatory animals in the area. Others fell to the guns of poachers and the "Turkey Project" went down the drain.
Of course, although that was 80 years ago, it is very possible that ancestors of those birds still populate our forest. It is also possible that newer generations have been more recently released by individuals into our forest. Either way, one way or another, it appears we DO have wild turkey in our neck of the woods. And I don't mean the wild turkey found at Chuck's bar at the Blue Ridge Restuarant.
