JAKES event a big success

17 kids from around the area made their way out to take part in a day of fun and learning during the JAKES event.

On Saturday, May 20, the River Bottom Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Protection Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation held their annual JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) event. The weather threatened as the 17 young people from around the local area arrive to learn about archery, shooting, trapping, and a little of the history of our region. The youth, with their parents watching, spent the morning enthusiastically learning new skills. After learning to shoot targets with arrows and attempt to hit the clay pigeons from the skeet range, they listened to stories about trapping, learned some Indian sign language, saw how to start a fire with steel and flint, and had an opportunity to sample some outdoor cooking.

Jim DeReign, representing the NWTF, dressed in authentic Mountain Man attire cooked a wonderful rainbow stew and a peach cobbler over an open fire. The adults appreciated the stew while the children feasted on hot dog and chips. The kids really enjoyed his demonstration of Indian sign language, starting a fire with flint and steel and the demonstration on shooting an authentic musket riffle. The children were also entertained with stories about trapping by Greg Peters.

It was obvious the kids were enthused about their new skills as they begged to have a ‘shoot out;’ after lunch, to see who was the best archer in the group. The highlight of the event was the drawing for 2 .22 caliber rifles. Conservation Agent Brain Shelton said, “I believe that the event was a success as we had several of the youth that had never fired a shotgun or shot archery equipment before.  It reminded me of why we do this when I had a young man come up to me and tell me that he had a blast, and wanted to know when we would be holding the next event!” 

Event like this cannot happen without great sponsors. Many thanks to the sponsors of this event; Missouri Department of Conservation, Bootheel Defense, Hays, Grizzly Jig, Baker Auto, National Wild Turkey Federation, Woods Lumber Co. and Food Giant. If it wasn’t for sponsors, these events are not possible. “Events such as this is a great place for children to learn about our outdoor shooting sports in a safe and fun environment.”, said Agent Shelton.