The Daily Bulletin Archive

The Buffalo State Sustainability Council continues its film series with the screening of My Life as a Turkey on Thursday, March 8, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center West 2. This film reenacts renowned naturalist and wildlife artist Joe Hutto’s remarkable experiences while raising a group of wild turkey hatchlings to adulthood.

After a local farmer left a bowl of eggs on Hutto’s front porch, his life was forever changed. Hutto, possessing a broad background in the natural sciences and an interest in imprinting young animals, incubated the eggs and waited for them to hatch. As the chicks emerged from their shells, they locked eyes with an unusual but dedicated mother. Hutto remained totally committed to his research for an entire year, forgoing human contact as he played the role of mother-researcher while raising the poults. This documentary was inspired by Hutto’s highly acclaimed book Illumination in the Flatwoods, his detailed account from the journals he kept during this project.