2024 JAKES

NWTF Huachuca Gould's Chapter - Sierra Vista, Arizona - Conserve, Hunt, Share

HUACHUCA GOULD’S HOSTS 2024 JAKES DAY
AT PARKER CANYON LAKE

The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation hosted a fishing-oriented JAKES Day for area youth on June 1st at Parker Canyon Lake in southeastern Arizona. JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship.

The 2024 event marked the 18th year that the Huachuca Gould’s have offered a day of conservation skills and ethics. This year, 43 youths registered for the event. Ages of participants ranged from 8 to 17 years. As always, there was no charge to the participants. And a lunch of hamburger, hot dog, and watermelon at noontime was enjoyed by the youth, their families, and the support volunteers totaling about 90.

Four hands-on teaching stations were offered. At one, basic fishing techniques such as knot tying, rigging and casting a bait outfit, and fish landing were taught. Fish cleaning and cooking were demonstrated at a second station. And the youth got to eat what they cooked, too! The Huachuca Chapter’s BB gun range gave participants experience in sighting, shooting, and safe handling of firearms. And out on the water at station 4, the fundamentals of kayaking were offered. Once launched, what a flotilla they formed out on the lake!

  Dave Kemnitz, Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, did an outstanding job of organizing the event and coordinating with volunteers and presenters.

Thanks go to Scott Kerr and Staff of the Parker Canyon Lake and Marina and the Coronado National Forest for use of the facilities. The Huachucans of Sierra Vista supported the event with a generous donation. Poles and reels from Zebco Fishing and tackle boxes from EAGLE Claw were available for the youth to use and take home. Brittany Oleson, local Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Manager was present throughout the event, also.

The station presenters deserve special thanks. They were:

Basic Fishing- Rich Whipple, John Prats, Randy Oliver, David Danoder,
Andrew Danoder, and Gunnar Kopaie

Fish Cleaning and Cooking- Phil Gonzales, and Wayne Kaiser (Huachuca Gould’s)

BB Gun Range- Carole Peters, Christa Mamuska, and Rob Bridges
(all members of Huachuca Gould’s)

   Kayaking- Josh Hoffman, Haley Stanford, and Anicia Leon
  from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Boating and Safety Education program

Helping with the cooking and camp chores were Steve Hopkins and Ron Funk (Southern Arizona Quail Forever) and Huachuca Gould’s members Wayne Kaiser, John Millican, Rob Bridges, Christa Mamuska, Carole Peters, Tommy Fuller, and Tom Deecken.

And finally, a special thank you goes to all the parents, relatives, and friends for bringing a youth to JAKES Day!