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National Wild Turkey Federation Holds J.A.K.E.S. Day

By Staff | Aug 6, 2014

The National Wild Turkey Federation held its annual J.A.K.E.S. Day June 7 for some 50 youth at Pine Grove’s Sportsman Club, beginning with a moment of silence for Francis Brown, a good friend of the federation’s local Lewis Wetzel Chapter.

JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship.

The young people were instructed by Peck Martin in shooting, forestry education, BB shooting, DNR safety, making turkey calls and learning how to use them. They then gathered for a fishing tournament at a pond that had been stocked the previous day with 200 pounds of catfish, including albinos.

Devon Kirby won the boys’ division of the tournament with a four pound, seven ounce catfish, while Bella Wyatt won the girls’ division with her three pound six ounce catch. Damon Witschey got the award for the smallest fish.

Andrea Thomas won the drawing for a 20-gauge single shot youth gun and everyone was given a fishing pole donated by Cabela’s.

The Lewis Wetzel Chapter thanks following individuals for their assistance in teaching stations: Officer Francis of the West Virginia State Police; Brent Lyons, Rusty Nice and Peck Martin. Thanks also goes to members Ron and Ellen Horner; John, Patty and Stacey Barcus; Darin King; Delmer Walls; Brian Morris; Brock Stackpole; Fred Sibert; Zac Brown, Steve Lancaster and Alex Herrick.

Earlier, NWTF members Terry and Lynn Adams, John and Patty Barcus, Delmar Walls and Brian Morris constructed six new bleachers for the pond.