Pennsylvania Game News - July 2015 - 25

planting trees or cleaning streams.
Some might decide to join conservation organizations dedicated to passing
along our joy to future generations.
I have been a proud member of many
fine conservation organizations, one is the
National Wild Turkey Federation.
The NWTF is not just for turkey
hunters, just as groups like the Ruffed
Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever or
Trout Unlimited aren't just for specialty
hunters or anglers.
I do not hunt turkeys, but I joined
NWTF for all it does to preserve the
outdoors for future generations of Pennsylvanians.

UVUVUVU

In 2002, the Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Chapter of the National Wild Turkey
Federation began looking for a way to
help and give to future generations.
Members including Robert Schwalm,
Kevin Gehman, and the late Jerry
Zimmerman worked tirelessly to begin
the NWTF's JAKES program.
JAKES, which stands for Juniors
Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship, is dedicated to informing,
educating and involving youth in wildlife
conservation and the wise stewardship of
our natural resources.
Through the JAKES program, NWTF
chapters provide youngsters 12 and
younger chances to explore their outdoor
world through fun events that help pass
on the traditions of responsible hunting,
teach the principles of habitat management and hunting ethics and safety.
The Xtreme JAKES program teaches
youngsters ages 13 to 17 through fishing,
camping and other outdoor activities.
A couple years ago, two of my sons
and I participated in the annual Lehigh
County JAKES Day held at Ontelaunee
JULY 2015

Rod and Gun club.
My younger son enjoyed participating
in 45-minute sessions on topics including
archery, crossbows, fishing, canoeing, BBguns, trapping, furbearers, forensics, .22
rifle, shotgun and turkey calling.
My older son - an "Xtreme JAKE"
- enjoyed sessions on tree-stand safety,
archery, muzzleloading, orienteering,
ethical shot placement, .223 rifles, game
trailing and trap shooting.
There was food and drinks, and the
event closed with a raffle and award
ceremony.
During lunch, I spoke with a single
mom who was participating with her son.
She said she was not raised in a hunting family, and she had no friends who
hunted. But her son was interested in
hunting, and they recently purchased
bows to try archery.
She said JAKES Day provided her
with the support and knowledge she
needed to help her son get into hunting
and the outdoors. She was grateful for
the free event.
Coincidentally, at the conclusion of
the day's activities, she was the winner
of a custom knife in a raffle.

UVUVUVU

NWTF certainly isn't the only group
working to make a difference for future
generations.
But the organization serves as a good
example of how conservation groups and
individuals can invest in helping future
generations to appreciate the outdoors.
Whether you choose to give in a quiet,
individual way, or as part of a group, you
will feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that when you are called to leave this
earth, you will depart with the satisfaction
of having made a difference for wildlife
and for generations to come.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - July 2015
