Talking turkey: Man has special bond with feathery friend

On a winter day not so long ago, Dan Weehunt found himself running through his garage in pursuit of a large tom turkey with flaming tail feathers.

“Gertie, Gertie,” he yelled at the handsome gobbler who has become his close companion and confidant.

Weehunt eventually caught up with the stubborn turkey and snapped off the feathers that had started on fire when Gertie ventured too close to a propane heater.

Such scenes are not that unusual since Weehunt, a longtime South Whidbey resident, adopted the 35-pound turkey — or vice versa perhaps — about eight months ago. Weehunt takes his “attack turkey” on walks in the park, rides around with him in the back of his truck and even hung a sign on him at a demonstration. The turkey and his antics have become quite well known on South Whidbey.

“He wants to be by my side all the time,” Weehunt said. “He’s a piece of work and he knows it.”

Weehunt may not seem like the typical turkey owner, if there is such a thing. At age 71, he still looks like a quintessential biker straight out of “Sons of Anarchy” and has an excellent grasp of the correct use of swear words.

“I’m crazy and wild and have been all my life,” he said, adding that he’s been married five times and was in treatment five times.

Yet Weehunt has a soft spot for animals. His former dog, Lil’ Miss, received a special bravery award from the nonprofit Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation for saving his life from a mattress fire, but she passed away years ago. Weehunt still becomes emotional speaking about the pooch.

Last year, Weehunt was looking for a new dog when he heard that a couple moving to Arizona had a broad breasted bronze turkey they needed to find a home for. The couple named the bird “Gertrude” because they originally thought it was a girl, but started calling him “Gertie” when that turned out not to be the case.

Weehunt said his interest was piqued when he heard it was an “attack turkey.” He went to visit, expecting to be assailed by a feathery beast, but instead Gertie came up to him and just pecked at his silver rings.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

“He’s a good companion for me. Keeps me happy,” he said. “I kiss him on the head.”

Nowadays, Gertie doesn’t attack if his human benefactor is around, but anyone who comes to their home when Weehunt is gone risks being charged and gobbled at.

Gertie lives an unusual life for a farm animal. He stays in a cabover camper on a rural property and often insists on going for rides in Weehunt’s pickup. He eats whatever Weehunt is eating. His favorite is biscuits and gravy — with plenty of tabasco sauce — from Bailey’s Corner Store, Weehunt said.

He also enjoys pork, blueberries, bananas and corn on the cob. Weehunt recently went on a search for a pomegranate for his pet but found they were out of season.

Gertie enjoys having his waddle tickled and Weehunt obliges, though he admits the turkey took his affections too far a couple of times.

Weehunt and Gertie have become rather high-profile residents of South Whidbey. They understandably draw a lot of attention when they take walks together around the South Whidbey Community Park. The turkey never strays far from his human friend, though Weehunt recently tried out a leash on him — which made him act surprisingly docile. Weehunt said he plans to use the leash, at least occasionally, to walk Gertie at parks and the beach.

Gertie was a big hit with fellow riders when he rode the ferry. Weehunt said people often ask to see the turkey in the back of the truck when he stops at stores. Like proud fathers, he and a local doctor recently shared turkey photos with each other; the physician has “a beautiful black turkey with white spots,” Weehunt said.

“Everywhere I go, people want to see Gertie, they want to take pictures,” he said. “It’s wonderful. It gives me something to do.”

Photo by David Welton
Dan Weehunt and Gertie get a lot of attention when they’re out and about on South Whidbey.

Photo by David Welton Dan Weehunt and Gertie get a lot of attention when they’re out and about on South Whidbey.

By David Welton

Photo by David Welton Dan Weehunt and Gertie get a lot of attention when they’re out and about on South Whidbey.