Young people learn about outdoors at JAKES event

More than 60 people had an opportunity to experience the outdoors during an event which was held last weekend in Union County.

The Trail of Tears Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, NTWF, hosted a free JAKES youth event Saturday, Sept. 14. 

JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship.

The event was at the ball diamond at the Trail of Tears State Forest near Jonesboro.

The day’s activities included a reptile presentation; a talk about stewardship and responsibility; hands-on activities, such as archery, BB gun shooting, and trap shooting, also were offered.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IDNR, Conservation Police Officers Steve Vasicek and Lisa Haggerty were guests at the JAKES event.

Vasicek said that Conservation Police Officers work to protect the state’s resources. 

He also talked with young people about leadership, stewardship and responsibilty.

IDNR herpetologist Scott Ballard gave a presentation about snakes. He brought a Costa Rican milk snake and a timber rattlesnake to show those in attendance.

Ballard focused his talk on advising young hunters not to take non-target species when they are out in the field. Take a turkey, don’t take a snake, he said.

“You take the target species. You don’t take the non-target species. You don’t shoot the snake. We want you to be a good outdoorsman.”

A lunch featuring hot dogs and venison chili was served.