Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics & Sportsmanship
 

 


 

 

THE JAKES PROGRAM


One of the most exciting programs at the National Wild Turkey Federation focuses on young people. JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship) is dedicated to informing, educating and involving North America's youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. With the growing number of turkey hunters, the JAKES program is also designed to help pass on the traditions of hunting with a strong eye toward ethics and safety. Increasing numbers of young people are learning to hunt without the benefits of an older mentor. To help address this situation, the NWTF has strengthened its commitment to the JAKES program.

Viewing our natural world through the eyes of a child will bring fresh, new appreciation for why we are so dedicated to conserving our natural resources. The spirit of conservation and the tradition of hunting have been passed from one generation to another in this country for centuries. The NWTF JAKES program will help keep this legacy alive as we continue to educate our youth.

 


JAKES Benefits
For just five dollars, you get four issues of JAKES Magazine, a NWTF membership card and a decal! Not to mention the automatic chance to win the JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime, an all-expense paid spring turkey hunting trip for a lucky JAKES member and one of his or her parents.


Who Can Join
Any youth 17 years old or younger with an interest in having a lot of fun and excitement in the great outdoors. To join, just call 1-800-THE-NWTF. Remember, if you're under 18 and want to purchase the membership for yourself, we'll need you to get a a parent or guardian to make the call.


Little Shepherd Chapter’s 2009 Rabbit Youth Hunt

By Richard Brown, President – Little Shepherd Chapter

 

On a cold, frosty Saturday morning (December 26th), more than 50 boys and girls gathered at different locations, throughout Letcher County, to participate in the 6th Annual Rabbit Hunt sponsored by the Little Shepherd Chapter.  Divided into groups, each child had an adult chaperone at their side.  Each group also consisted of a member of the Chapter (to act as guide), a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer (to teach safety) and a dog handler (to control their hunting dogs). 

 

Upon finishing the hunt, each group traveled to the Mountain Shriner’s Building in Whitesburg (KY) to be fed and to receive some gifts.  After eating, they then traveled to the Letcher County Park’s new soccer field where each child got their chance at shooting clay pigeons.  A few sore shoulders later, a drawing for eight NWTF Daisy Air Rifles was held, resulting in eight young, happy hunters being the lucky winners. 

 

The Little Shepherd Chapter would like to thank all businesses, organizations and individuals that made the event possible.  The free event will be held, again, next year and an open invitation for all youth to join in is extended.  Also, all youth are invited, along with their parents, to attend the Chapter’s annual Hunting Heritage Banquet, which is to be held on Saturday - March 6, 2010, at the Pine Mountain Grill in Whitesburg, KY. 

 

If anyone is interested in joining the Chapter or having their children involved, please contact Richard G. Brown, President, at 633-0475.

 


 

Shelley Nickell Chapter JAKES Day 9/26/09

 

The Shelley Nickell Chapter hosted its annual JAKES Day on Saturday – September 26, 2009, at the Livingston County Fairgrounds in Smithland, KY.  with 144 people in attendance.  The day started with registration of all JAKES and their guests.  All JAKES received a T-shirt with the local chapter logo on it, and then were given the opportunity to energize themselves with a snack of donuts, juice, and milk. A special treat of biscuits, homemade Pear and Apple Honey was also enjoyed.

 

A short program followed with two retired Wounded Warriors speaking to the group.  Jesse Ordunez spoke on how service to others was so important in life.  He stressed to the kids that they have a great opportunity to pass on to others what has been given to them.  Daniel Dickerson challenged the kids to be the best that they can be and gave a rendition of his interview by the news media during the spring turkey hunt which was held in April ‘09.  The local Middle School Principal Larry McGregor gave a very supportive talk on memories that all people have and will have in the future, challenging the kids to keep and cherish those memories, especially those that they have of fishing and hunting as young people.  KDFWR Conservation Officer Bill Snow asked the kids to enjoy today’s events and that he was there to answer any questions they might have about the wild turkey and other wildlife. 

 

After group pictures were taken, the kids were divided into small groups to participate in the events scheduled for the day which included target practice with BB guns, Air Rifles, Archery, .22 Rifles, Craft projects of building blue bird and butterfly houses, & making military survival bracelets.  The making of survival bracelets was the most popular event of the day with over 60 bracelets being made by the kids.  Each kid wanted to make more but time did not allow.  Just before lunch a Turkey Calling contest was held in three age groups.  The U-6 age group had 6 participants and the champion caller was Lexie Whitman.  The 7 – 12 age group champion caller was Talon Cockrell, who competed against 12 others, and the 13 – 17 age calling category was won by Wesley Wring.

 

Wesley Shuecraft of Salem donated a beautiful one of a kind custom crafted wing bone turkey call that was won by Emma Watson. 

 

A lunch of BBQ, hot dogs, chips & cookies was served to all in attendance. After lunch, all of the kids were presented with a nylon lunch bag by the Livingston County Extension Service as they were dismissed and ready to travel home.  Some stayed to go on a dove hunt that had been planned after lunch.  The doves did not cooperate until later that evening with some of the kids, and parents, getting in some competitive shooting and bagging a few doves.

 

We would like to thank the following who supported our JAKES:  Vulcan Materials, Miss Neda’s, Lyon  County Court Clerk, Livingston County Extension Service, KDFWR, Livingston County School System, The Livingston County FFA, Marshall’s IGA, Food Giant – Eddyville, Knoth’s BBQ, Dunn’s Sporting Goods, Salem Food Market, Wesley Shuecraft, Shelley Nickell Chapter Committee, & Bernheim Chapter member Jr & Cherry Williams of Brooks KY, who came to help the kids make the Survival Bracelets. 


 

BUTLER COUNTY LONGBEARDS CHAPTER HOSTED JAKES DAY 2009

By Deniece Hawkins

 

The Butler County Longbeards Chapter held its annual JAKES Day event on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Haynes property on Leonard Oak Road.  It was a hot day, but 100 youths, dads and moms, grandparents, family, friends, and committee members, along with representatives from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), all had a great time.

 

Every youth registered to become a member of the NWTF and received a fishing pole.  Bait was supplied by Jenkins Bait in Rochester, and the action started at 9:00 a.m.  With the assistance of KDFWR and Dale Franklin (Second District Commissioner), the lakes were stocked with over 1,000 pounds of catfish.  Some stringers of fish had at least 30 fish on them  and all of the children caught fish.  They were dragging them out and the adults were taking them off.  Thanks to the kids, two turtles were caught and each youth received $5.00 for their hard work.

 

Lunch was served and prizes were awarded.  A pink BB gun was won by Haylee McKee and the other BB gun was won by Chase Cox.  Other winners of NWTF items were Robert Cunningham, Miles Grimes, Tyler Colter, Alex Hall, Carter Hawkins, Taylor Leach, Sabrina Leach, Aalaya Dockery, Madeline McKinney, and Samantha Camus.

 

Other scheduled activities included shooting trap with a .20 gauge shotgun.  Bobby McKee, Kenny Kemp, and Doc assisted with this activity.  Bennie Morris came and brought his snakes which the kids and adults enjoyed immensely.

 

The Butler County Longbeards Chapter would like to thank everyone that helped out and special thanks to the following businesses and individuals: Dale Franklin (2nd District Fish & Wildlife Commissioner), Kenny Kemp, Bobby McKee, Doc, KDFWR, Save-A-Lot, Cocoa-Cola, Jenkins Bait Co., Greg Hampton (New Image), Don Lindsey's Market, Aleris, Aberdeen Grocery, and Billy Renfro.

 

Next year's event is scheduled for June 19, 2010.  It is always the third Saturday in June.  Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a fun-filled day.  It's for the kids!

 

 


 

Kincaid Longspurs Third Annual Youth Turkey Hunt a Great Success

By James Beckett, President - Kincaid Longspurs Chapter

 

The Kincaid Longspurs held its Annual Turkey Hunt on Saturday, April 4.  Close to twenty youth participated, ages 15 and under, from several of the surrounding communities.  The youth were matched with experienced turkey hunters the day before the event, at a gathering held at Can-tuc’s Primitive Weapons Club in Bracken County.  The experienced hunters had the opportunity to meet with the parents and youths in preparation for the next day's hunt.  Game calls or other turkey hunting supplies were distributed to the youth, who were also educated about what to expect while hunting, firearm safety, shot placement and turkey decoy set-up.

 

Saturday morning, paired with their guide, the youth spread throughout Pendleton, Campbell and Bracken County farms in an attempt to experience the thrills of harvesting a wild turkey.  It was a successful day for 4 of the youth hunters who met back at the sportsmen's club with prized tom turkeys. 

 

The Kincaid Longspurs is the Pendleton County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.  The organization is dedicated to the promotion of conservation and preservation of our country's hunting heritage.

 

The generosity and participation of over 150 donors and sponsoring supporters, as well as 200 attendees at the Kincaid Longspurs Banquet held each February, allowed the organization to fund the event.  The generous landowners who extended the use of their land helped to make the youths' hunting experience a great success.  The event was co-sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Kentucky Conservation Officers Association. 

 


 

LONGBEARDS OF THE BARRENS CHAPTER HOSTS 15TH ANNUAL JAKES EVENT!

By Marlene Cassady, Recording Secretary – Longbeards of the Barrens Chapter

 

The Longbeards of the Barrens Chapter held their 15th Annual Jakes Day on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at the Barren River Rod & Gun Club. Eight activities/contests were planned for the youth this year. They were: 22 rifle shooting, shotgun shooting, BB shooting, archery, stopper gun shooting, casting contest, turkey calling contest, & coloring contest.  Every youth received a ribbon & door prize, so every child that participating youth was a WINNER.

 

Trophies were given for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in each event and each age group - both boys & girls. Overall Girl & Overall Boy winners also received a trophy; Overall Girl winner was Heather Lile & Overall Boy winner was Zack Bradshaw.

 

This year, the chapter held a drawing for a boy’s youth one-day turkey hunt & a girl’s one-day youth turkey hunt for kids’ age 9-17 years old.  Boy’s hunt winner was Zack Bradshaw & girl’s hunt winner was Amy Hall.  These 2 youths will be taken on a guided turkey hunt during youth turkey weekend. They, also, both received a free fan mount.

 

Longbeards of the Barrens chapter would like to say THANK YOU to all sponsors who helped make this event successful: Backyard Bar-b-Que, Cecelia Hurt & Marty Edmunds Family, Glass/Thompson Insurance Agency, Edmonton BP Service Center, Glasgow Auto Auction, Get Fit for Ladies, The Hunter's Taxidermy/Wayne Davidson, Rigdon's Taxidermy/Ed Rigdon, Wild Creations Taxidermy/Nathan Taylor, Timmy Lile, Butler Funeral Home, D.L. Miller, Godfather's Pizza/Minit Mart #163, Beaver 96.7, and Willie 94.1.

 

The Chapter would like to thank the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for taking care of our BB Shooting & to the Barren River Rod & Gun Club for the use of their facilities. We really appreciate all that you did.  Again, THANK YOU to everyone who helped in any way!

 

Many thanks go to the chapter members who gave their time and energies towards this event: Tim and Gail Lile, Danny and Marlene Cassady, Bob and Frances Burdette, April and Richard Davidson, Danielle Martin, Teddy Chaney, Mike Bunch, Jimmy and Timmy Turner, Charles and Veronica Roberts and Lillie Glass.

 


   

Kentucky NWTF


boki@duo-county.com