Roasted Wild Turkey

wild turkey, 8-10 pounds
salt and pepper to taste
2 small apples, sliced in half
1 medium onion, cut in half
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 teaspoon sage
6-8 slices bacon
melted bacon fat

Preheat oven for 20 minutes at 325F.

Sprinkle turkey inside and out with salt and pepper. Place apples, onions and celery slices into the cavity. Sprinkle inside of the cavity with salt, pepper, and sage.   Pull legs upward and tie them together with a string. Turn the wings under the bird and secure with toothpicks or a small skewer. Place turkey breast up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover breast with bacon slices and a cheesecloth soaked in melted bacon fat.   Roast in the preheated oven 20 to 25 minutes per pound or until the joints move freely. Baste often with pan juices. Remove from oven and let stand 10-15 minutes before carving.  Serves 8 to 10