 The
National Wild Turkey Federation's 25th Annual National Convention and Sports
Show was filled with youthful vigor as children of all ages played a huge
roll in its success.
From youth art to essay contests to scholarship winners, the NWTF¹s youth involvement illustrates its dedication to educating tomorrow¹s adults in the importance of wildlife conservation and hunting as a traditional wildlife management tool. James Michael Kennedy, 11, of Clarksville, Mich., was drawn from more than 130,000 JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) members to participate in the NWTF's annual JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime. Kennedy will travel to Kingsville, Texas, to hunt wild turkeys with his father, Michael J. Kennedy, on the legendary King Ranch. He also will be joined by Chip Grant, 12, of Cowpens, S.C., who¹s father, Chris Grant, bought the chance for him to participate in the JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime during the NWTF's Annual Convention and Sports Show in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 15-18. Nathan Cooley, 17, of Williamsfield, Ohio, won the 2001 NWTF Kansas One-Shot Governor¹s Turkey Hunt essay contest with an essay that illustrates how a person can hunt and still love wildlife. Cooley was awarded the all-expense-paid hunt during the convention Feb. 17 by Kansas Gov. Bill Graves. Jonathan May, 19, of Tipton, Kansas was the 2001 NWTF National Scholarship winner. May will receive $5,000 to help cover the cost of his college education. "This is a big honor for me and my family, and I can't wait to get started working towards my goal of becoming a biologist," said May. The annual JAKES program held during the convention was a huge success with 300 Columbus school children attending the special program at the Columbus Convention Center. The children learned how to make turkey sounds as well as how mountain men survived in the Rockies. They also met the U.S.A. Olympic Shooting Team as well as turkey calling celebrities and raptors from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This year¹s Grand National Youth Wild Turkey Art Contest drew more than 50 entries competing in four divisions. The winners are as follows: Ages 6-8
Ages 9-11
Ages 12-14
Ages 15-17
The NWTF has more than 130,000 JAKES members across North America and strives to include them in wildlife conservation and passing on North America¹s rich hunting heritage. JAKES, which stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship, is for children 17 years old and younger. More than 400 JAKES Conservation Field Days events are held across the continent each year to promote the program and teach children about conservation and hunting ethics. For more information on the JAKES of the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF. Visit the NWTF web site at www.NWTF.org. For more information contact: Jonathan Harling at jharling@nwtf.org
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