About 50 teens learned some gun safety and recreational shooting basics Sunday during the program JAKES Takkes Aim.
JAKES stands for juniors acquiring knowledge, ethics and scholarship and is a program made possible through the partnership of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Fort Wayne chapter of the Izaak Walton League and paid for through a grant from Midway USA.
Chuck Jordan, president of the Fort Wayne Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, said jakes is also the term used to describe immature wild turkeys. He said acquainting youth with firearms makes them less afraid of guns and gives them more respect for the harm they could potentially cause.
"It takes away the mystery that gets kids in trouble," he said.
Volunteers help teens ages 12 to 17 with trap and skeet shooting and handling and safety tips.
Jordan said the program is in its second year and hopes through volunteers and grant money the program can continue.
For more information visit www.izaakwaltonfw.com or www.nwtf.org
