Alabama JAKES Gather for a Day of Outdoors and Conservation
Even with the threat of rain, the NWTF Alabama Evergreen-Conecuh Chapter, in partnership with the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, held their biggest JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) event to date, with 150 youth participating in engaging outdoor- and conservation-related activities.
The crowd of 400 youth, parents, former and present Alabama game wardens, City of Evergreen Police Department officers, Flat Rock Fire and Rescue team members and NWTF volunteers gathered at the home of Tommy and Kaye Hall, NWTF Evergreen-Conecuh Chapter event coordinators.
“We’ve always been interested in helping our local youth and guiding them in the right direction,” said Tommy. “We know the benefits of teaching safe firearm practices and teaching them about hunting and fishing early on. This event is designed to instill lifelong passions and create conservation-minded individuals.”
Across the property, numerous learning stations were set up where kids spoke with game wardens and engaged with the activities at each station. These stations included BB gun, pellet gun, soft bullet pistol, bow and arrow, skeet and .22 rifle range, old-fashioned sugarcane squeezing, bean bag toss, turkey calling, Alabama Game and Fish confiscation exhibition and a 130-foot zipline over water.
“We simply want these kids to come here and have a good time,” Tommy said. “Kids in our town and even neighboring towns recognize us from past years and come up to us and ask when the event is happening again. It makes you realize how thankful they are, and it makes us want to host it year after year.”
This is the 11th and most successful year the local NWTF chapter held the event, and it is the ninth year the ACEOA has been a primary partner. Like the NWTF, the ACEOA is a nonprofit organization, comprised of active and retired conservation enforcement officers and supporting associate members seeking to conserve Alabama’s natural resources for future generations through educational and outreach programs.
The event concluded with lunch from Conecuh Sausage and raffles and prize drawings. The dedicated volunteers are already looking forward to next year’s event, scheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m., November 8, 2024, at 24915 Highway 31, Evergreen, Alabama.
Established in 1981, the NWTF’s JAKES program is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth 17 and younger in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. JAKES events help pass on the traditions of responsible hunting, teach the principles of habitat management, hunting ethics and safety.
For $10 a year, JAKES receive a year subscription to JAKES Country magazine (four issues), a chance to win a hunt of a lifetime and a membership card.
In addition to JAKES Day events, NWTF chapters across the country host various events that engage youth in the outdoors, including mentored hunts for a variety of game species. Learn how you can get involved as a volunteer with the NWTF, or look for an upcoming JAKES event in your area.