NWTF Local Mississippi Chapter Hosts Inaugural JAKES Turkey Hunt

Volunteers, mentors, youth hunters and their parents gathered at Legion State Park on Friday night for a group dinner and a gun safety course led by state game wardens. All attendees received handmade turkey calls from a local call maker that they could use on their hunt the following morning.

On Saturday morning, the young hunters set out with mentors to experience firsthand the life-changing power of the outdoors. For many of them, this was their first time experiencing the spring woods. Every young hunter heard a gobbler, a handful of them saw birds, and one hunter made a successful shot.

Beau Breland, age 8, and his mentor Speedy Calbert harvested a tom before breakfast was served at camp that morning. Breland was awarded the grand prize backpack, which was filled with Thermacell and other gear needed for future hunts. But Breland wasn’t the only winner.

Every young hunter was buzzing with excitement, retelling stories from their morning hunt, still captivated by their first time hearing or seeing a wild turkey. This was just the beginning for young hunters, and some have already returned to the woods with their mentors.

“It was a good hunt with good weather,” said Wendell Womack, chapter president. “I am so glad that every child either heard a bird or saw a bird. It filled the day with excitement, and we’re already planning for next year. We need to keep introducing new kids to the sport, and there’s no better way than to get them out and let them experience it all.”

The chapter was formerly named the East Mississippi chapter, but committee members changed it two years ago to honor the chapter’s founder, Robert Higginbotham, who passed away in March 2023. Higginbotham was a stalwart conservationist, visionary and volunteer leader, serving at both a local level and on the NWTF’s National Board of Directors. NWTF members began leaving a wild turkey feather on his grave for every successful harvest in his honor. During the first season, 18 feathers were left on his grave, and last year there were 23 feathers. Womack is thrilled that the first feather on his grave this year was from the chapter’s first JAKES hunt.

The chapter plans to host this event again next year, but for JAKES members to register, they must attend the chapter’s heritage banquet in June.

Established in 1981, the NWTF’s JAKES program is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth 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.

Learn how you can get involved as a volunteer with the NWTF, or look for an upcoming JAKES event in your area.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation 

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.