RISON - The Cleveland County Cutters & Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold its annual JAKES Day youth event next Saturday, March 3, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison. Registration for the free event begins at 7:30 a.m. with the education activities starting at 8 a.m.Due to the success of last year’s event at the Old Turkey Farm location off Mt. Elba Road south of Rison, organizers decided to move it to the fairgrounds this year for better parking arrangements and more space.JAKES, according to the NWTF website, stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The purpose of the program is for “informing, educating and involving youth 17 and younger in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.”John Vamell, one of the organizers of the 2024 JAKES Day, said the youth attending this year will pass through a variety of stations featuring presentations related to the outdoors. Among the educational stations scheduled for this year’s event includes wildlife interpreters from Cane Creek State Park, Jeff Lawson of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission with a display of wild animal pelts, Tyler Phillips and Matt Ingram teaching shooting safety, wild game trapping, taxidermy and anglers from the University of Arkansas at Monticello bass team.In addition, there will be a wide variety of exhibits to visit as well, including the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission aquarium featuring native fish, race trucks from the Wildman Mud Track, Ham radio operators and more.Youth will be treated to free lunch after the sessions while a cash-only concession stand will be available throughout the day for adults and others.There will also be a drawing for a variety of give-aways ranging from guns and fishing pole to fishing tackle and hats....
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