The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter
2023 JAKES Day Is in the Books!
For another year, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation offered local youth training in outdoor skills and ethics at the 2023 edition of JAKES Day. Twelve participants along with their families attended the event held on June 17th at the Sierra Vista’s Soldier Creek Park. Hometowns varied from local Hereford and Sierra Vista in Cochise County to more distant Tucson and Phoenix.
JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The four stations available this year were mountain biking, fly fishing, wildlife identification, and BB gun shooting and safety, all taught by cooperating conservation groups. This was a family event with parents and siblings encouraged to attend as well.
Conducting the hands-on training stations were the San Pedro Flycasters, Buena High School Mountain Bike Team, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Huachuca Gould’s Chapter.
A good, ole summer-time lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs with fixings, chips, and refreshments was served at noon to about forty-two that included JAKES, their families, and support staff.
Activities finished by the early afternoon.
Special recognition goes to Jen Damato, Coach of the Buena Mountain Bike Team, and her crew and Brian Aragon from Arizona Game and Fish Department. The hard work of Joey Fuller, Tom Fuller, Rob Bridges, Bryan Wheeler, Scott Vasey (photographer), Wayne Kaiser, and Dave Kemnitz deserves recognition as well. All are volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter and assisted in organizing the event, staffing the kitchen, and mentoring at the BB gun range. And finally, appreciation goes to the parents that encouraged youth participation at JAKES Day.
For information on JAKES Day 2024 watch for an event announcement next spring on the Chapter’s website, http://www.nwtfhuagoulds.org.
JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The four stations available this year were mountain biking, fly fishing, wildlife identification, and BB gun shooting and safety, all taught by cooperating conservation groups. This was a family event with parents and siblings encouraged to attend as well.
Conducting the hands-on training stations were the San Pedro Flycasters, Buena High School Mountain Bike Team, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Huachuca Gould’s Chapter.
A good, ole summer-time lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs with fixings, chips, and refreshments was served at noon to about forty-two that included JAKES, their families, and support staff.
Activities finished by the early afternoon.
Special recognition goes to Jen Damato, Coach of the Buena Mountain Bike Team, and her crew and Brian Aragon from Arizona Game and Fish Department. The hard work of Joey Fuller, Tom Fuller, Rob Bridges, Bryan Wheeler, Scott Vasey (photographer), Wayne Kaiser, and Dave Kemnitz deserves recognition as well. All are volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter and assisted in organizing the event, staffing the kitchen, and mentoring at the BB gun range. And finally, appreciation goes to the parents that encouraged youth participation at JAKES Day.
For information on JAKES Day 2024 watch for an event announcement next spring on the Chapter’s website, http://www.nwtfhuagoulds.org.
001 Liam proudly shows off his nice shot group at the Huachuca Gould's Chapter BB gun range, good job!
002 Event participants get safety and maintenance instructions about the proper use of mountain bikes from members of the Buena High School Mountain Bike Team
003 Young fishing neophytes learn the art of fly tying at the San Pedro Flycasters' tent
004 Look out trout! Looks like she got it out for you!
005 William, a JAKES receives instruction from Bryan W. on the proper way to hold and shoot a BB gun at the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter range
006 William "Bill" stands for a photo with his mom after doing a great job at the at the BB gun range
007 Youth at the Arizona Game and Fish tent learn about animal skulls, tracks, and pelts