Mossy Oak is the official camo of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and part of that partnership is dedicated to supporting the JAKES program. JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) informs, educates and involves youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.
“Youth hunting and hunter education is of huge importance to us here at Mossy Oak,” said Chris Paradise, Chief Sales Officer of Mossy Oak. “Not only is it crucial to continuing our outdoors heritage but to the ongoing conservation of the game we pursue. The JAKES Program is dedicated to both of those endeavors, and we want to get behind a program with that purpose.”
"Mossy Oak is one of our longest standing partners and sponsors of the JAKES program,” said Mandy Harling, Director of Hunting Heritage Programs at NWTF. “With their generous support, we invest in the future of conservation and hunting heritage through local JAKES events and mentored hunts held across the country, national academic scholarship and wildlife habitat management internship opportunities. Together we’ve impacted hundreds of thousands of youth passing on the traditions of safe, ethical hunting while teaching conservation principals."
JAKES was established in 1981 to get youth involved in the outdoors. JAKES is for children 12 and under and Xtreme JAKES is for youth ages 13-17. Each division offers age appropriate outdoors activities and opportunities. JAKES Take Aim is for youth ages 17 and under and focuses on gun safety, target shooting and clay target shooting in safe, fun environments.
“The JAKES program through the NWTF has given both my children the opportunity to hunt,” said Lynn Merritt, mother of two JAKES who participated in a mentored youth turkey hunt. “The youth turkey hunt opened their eyes to what hunting is about, gave them a place to hunt and a guide to teach them the secrets of the hunt.”
To become a member of JAKES and support these worthwhile endeavors for young outdoors men and women, visit www.nwtf.org/membership. To learn more, visit https://www.nwtf.org/about/hunting-heritage/jakes.
