Local Pennsylvania NWTF Chapter Hosts Mentored Hunt, JAKES Event and Pennsylvania Youth Hunt of a Lifetime
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — During Pennsylvania’s spring gobbler youth season, local NWTF Pennsylvania chapters were busy getting folks immersed in the great outdoors, and the volunteers of the NWTF Warrior Trail Gobblers were no exception. The local chapter hosted its 13th annual JAKES Day and mentored hunt event and hosted the Pennsylvania JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime.
Each year, different local chapters have the chance to host the Pennsylvania JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime event, a mentored hunt given away at the annual Pennsylvania NWTF State Rendezvous to a child who was a member throughout the previous year. This year’s winner, Dean Arner Jr., and his twin brother went out with a mentor from the Warrior Trails Gobblers. Both Dean and his brother harvested birds on land donated for the youth hunt by by Iron Synergy.
After the brothers went out on the JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime, they joined other youth from the Warrior Trail Gobblers’ annual JAKES Day at the Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve.
The event, which included a mentor hunt prior to the gathering, was uniquely hands-on, with stations giving young attendees the chance to stay engaged outdoors after a fun morning chasing gobbles. There was an archery station, which included a shooting competition for the kids to win a Matthews bow. Participants also had the opportunity to learn how to shoot a BB gun with a skills competition at the NWTF BB gun trailer, a new addition to the annual event.
In addition, the event provided youth with a sporting clay station, a trapping station and a stocked trout pond station.
The JAKES Day event was free to everyone who attended, thanks to over 35 sponsors and donors who helped contribute to this year’s event. There were raffles to help cover the cost of JAKES memberships and the prizes that were given away were all donated or purchased by the local chapter. The event also featured a sports-kids raffle, similar to the NWTF sportsman's raffle.
“We have two stocked trout ponds, each about three acres in size, and the kids got 35 minutes to fish,” said Guy Hostutler, Warrior Trails Gobblers Chapter president. “There was one tagged fish in a pond, and if anyone were to catch the tagged fish, they win a prize.”
The final station inside the lodge was a course on everything a hunter needs for a day's hunt, led by Hostutler and other volunteers.
“I think the biggest success I attribute to our event is our supporters and donors,” said Hostutler. “When we started this program, we had five companies or individuals who each donated $1,000 to the NWTF Warrior Trail Gobblers for this program, and now, a lot of our sponsors who don't even have kids attend the event just to see the enjoyment in the kids’ eyes.”
Hostutler also has a network of volunteers from other chapters from Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia helping with and bringing their kids to the event.
Youth that attend learn about the outdoors and the essential role conservation plays.
“At our event, you won't see a cell phone in one kid's hands, unless they're taking pictures of each other, or they're exchanging contact information, because they're creating friendships,” Hostutler said. “The kids get a good break from technology at this event, and they completely enjoy it. Those kids are engulfed in the whole day.”
Over the last 13 years of hosting the event, Hostutler and volunteers have watched several young men and women go through the JAKES program who are now moms and dads bringing their kids to the event or are now starting to sponsor this event.
“Everything that we do is for the JAKES,” Hostutler said. “It's for our youth.”
The event saw over 170 youth attendees and 35 birds were harvested as part of the hunt prior to the JAKES Day event and entered to be scored. Prizes were given to the top three overall scoring birds, for the smallest bird and for the longest bearded gobbler.
“The Warrior Trail Gobblers NWTF JAKES Day and mentored youth hunt were once again a tremendous success, uniting participants through a shared passion for the outdoors,” said Dan Rensel, NWTF regional director. “Young hunters gained hands-on experience and learned valuable skills that will shape their lifelong appreciation for hunting and conservation. Through the guidance and encouragement of the many local NWTF chapter volunteers and mentors that were involved, youth hunters discovered the life-changing power of the outdoors, with a goal of deepening their respect for wildlife and the heritage of responsible hunting.”
Established in 1981, the NWTF’s JAKES program is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youths 17 and younger in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. JAKES events help pass on the traditions of responsible hunting, teach the principles of habitat management, hunting ethics and safety.
For $10 a year, JAKES receive a year subscription to JAKES Country magazine (four issues), a chance to win a hunt of a lifetime and a membership card.
In addition to JAKES Day events, NWTF chapters across the country host various events that engage youth in the outdoors, including mentored hunts for a variety of game species.