Kentucky JAKES Member Bags Bull Elk
The Owen family is deeply involved in the NWTF, with husband and wife duo Justin and Grace running the 4 Rivers Chapter Hunting Heritage Banquet in Paducah, Kentucky, and sons Waylon and Cash active as JAKES members.
“It is our job to preserve God's creation, and the NWTF has a large part in that,” Grace said. “Hunting has been a big part of my childhood growing up and continues to be, as we now have our own children. Hunting provides us with opportunities to teach our children so many important life lessons, as well as the meat to feed our family.”
While the Owen family regularly makes the effort to spend time in the woods together, even hunting together for the 2022 spring turkey opener, the family got the chance to chase Kentucky elk as 10-year-old Waylon drew a fall youth elk permit in his second year of applying.
Over the first two days of hunting, the family had seen elk, but were not able to close the distance to allow Waylon to have a manageable shot. However, on the third day of the hunt, the family spotted a group of elk in the distance, and Waylon was able to get within 180 yards of the herd to take his shot on a beautiful bull.
“Hunting gives us a lot of meat, and all the people you get to meet along the way [is an added bonus],” Waylon said. “It's something all kids should get into.”
Hunting is a big part of Waylon’s young life. He harvested his first deer at age 5, tagged a gobbler at 6 and is the first in his family to harvest a bull elk. He even recognized the NWTF’s work to educate and offer outdoor opportunities for future outdoorsmen and women, as well as the organization’s on-the-ground conservation work that benefits deer, elk and other game animals we enjoy. It’s a cycle that the Owen family has passed down from one generation to the next.
Knowing the value of our hunting heritage, Justin and Grace hope to grow their chapter and continue to share the hunting experience through outreach events in the future.
“The NWTF was crucial in making the wild turkey one of the greatest American conservation stories,” Justin said. “I am glad to be a part of carrying on that and ensuring the wild turkey's success for future generations. Hunting has led to being able to create memories with my family and friends and being able to make new friends and relationships along the way.”