The 31st Annual Pineywoods Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation JAKES event is set for at 8 a.m. on Sept. 21 at North Boggy Slough Conservation Area off State Highway 7 in Houston and Trinity counties. Youths aged 8-17 statewide are invited to attend.
JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The annual event places an emphasis on teaching a wide variety outdoor skills to youths under 17 years of age. The annual gathering frequently attracts 50 or more youths from around the state, but there is always room for more, according to JAKES coordinator, Kathy Braden.
The upcoming event promises to be an educational experience in a number of ways. Branden says nearly a dozen different stations for youths to rotate through. Among them are archery, target shooting, turkey calling, fishing, track identification and more.
She noted that Dale Bounds launched the Pineywoods event in 1991.
“It is our goal to continue to make it even larger and successful,” she said. The JAKES event this year will have seven different classes,” she said. “Our goal is to teach gun and hunting safety in the woods and what to carry with you when you go hunting. We have heard stories of many of these kids learning to hunt and becoming avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts because of their experiences at our event. In our eyes, that's the payoff for what we do. Without our youth, we have no future. We as adults look forward to teaching our youth about the outdoors and why we love it so much!”
Cost of the event is $20, includes a NWTF JAKES membership, JAKES T-shirt and a lunch. For more information contact Braden at 936-635-3350 or kastax.service@gmail.com.
MLF LIVE SONAR CHANGES
Oklahoma-based Major League Fishing recently announced a diverse list of changes to rules regarding forward facing sonar usage during the upcoming 2025 bass tournament season. Here’s the rundown, according to MLF director of communications, Joe Opager.
*All boats, across all MLF circuits, will be limited to two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers in any combination. Additionally, no bow-mounted screen may extend vertically more than 18 inches off the surface of the front deck at its highest point when the boat is on plane, and no screen mounted at the console may extend vertically more than 16 inches off the top of the steering column where it protrudes from the console.
*Pros competing on the Bass Pro Tour may use forward- facing and 360-degree sonar for only one of three periods each day during regular season qualifying events and Redcrest 2025.breast. Anglers will declare their use of the technologies before the start of the period of their choice. Use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar will be permitted during practice.
*In Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, forward-facing and 360-degree sonar will be allowed on Day 1 and prohibited on Day 2. Use of both technologies will be allowed during the Championship Round. No restrictions will apply to practice.
*Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) and Abu Garcia College Fishing anglers will be allowed to use forward-facing and 360-degree sonar during practice and all competition days.
*Neither technology will be allowed on Abu Garcia High School Fishing competition days, but will be allowed during practice. . Its use will not, however, be restricted during practice.
“Forward-facing sonar is the most effective bass-fishing technology that I’ve seen introduced in my lifetime,” said Boyd Duckett, president and CEO of Major League Fishing. “It’s a powerful tool that provides an opportunity to access and catch fish that we’ve never been able to efficiently target before. However, its effectiveness is leading to a more uniform approach in tournaments. For the sport to remain engaging to fans, participants or sponsors, it’s important that anglers can still compete using a diverse range of techniques.”