EDGEFIELD, SC — The Trigg County Longspurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation celebrated its 2023 JAKES Day on June 10 at Harper Farm in Cadiz, Kentucky.
JAKES, or Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship, is a program specifically designed to inform, educate, and engage youth ages 17 and under in wildlife conservation and the responsible management of our natural resources.
Approximately 30 JAKES members attended the event and participated in a variety of activities, including outdoor skills instruction, games, prize giving and a cookout.
JAKES members participated in BB gun shooting, .22 rifle shooting, archery, fishing, and clay pigeon shooting. In addition, the instructors conducted a firearms safety class that included proper shooting instructions for all participants, including parents.
During the event, Longspurs Chapter President Ben Harper took the opportunity to make a special presentation on behalf of the chapter to JD Williams, the founder of Mohawk Outdoors. Mohawk Outdoors’ mission is to support veterans in their healing process by integrating outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping and survival activities into their lives. To contribute to this cause, the Trigg County Longspurs donated $1,500 to Mohawk Outdoors to help fund hunting trips for veterans.
“It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know JD and he has a very positive outlook on life,” Harper said. “We are proud to be able to do all we can for our local combat veterans.”
Events like Trigg County’s Longspurs JAKES Day play a crucial role in passing on the important traditions of responsible hunting, while also teaching valuable principles such as habitat management, hunting ethics and safety. By actively involving youth in these activities, the JAKES program aims to instill a sense of stewardship and respect for the environment, ensuring that future generations continue to be informed and ethical participants in outdoor activities.
For more information on JAKES programs and events near you, visit the NWTF website here.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTFhe Anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th anniversary celebration, the NWTF has set itself six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.