Families Afield means more
opportunities for young hunters
Interested in finding out about youth hunting regulations in your state? Visit the Families Afield Web site: www.familiesafield.org. Families Afield is an education and outreach program to help states create hunting opportunities for youth, so that more families may enjoy America’s greatest outdoor tradition together.
The core values of Families Afield are:
- Safety first, always.
- Hunting instills traditional values, connectivity with nature and healthy lifestyles.
- Parents, not politics, should decide an appropriate hunting age for their children.
- When introducing youth to hunting, earlier is better.
- Youth first experience hunting with an adult mentor, then attend a hunter education class.
Since Families Afield launched in 2004, 29 states have changed laws and regulations to create additional hunting opportunities for young people.
FYI >Twelve of the 29 states that have passed legislation lowering barriers to hunting since Families Afield was launched in 2004 are now able to report current numbers of licenses sold. What does that mean for the future of hunting? We’ve recruited 283,000 new hunters!
Membership perk of a lifetime
Did you know all JAKES and Xtreme JAKES are eligible for the Hunt of a Lifetime drawing? Each year, the NWTF draws one lucky winner from the JAKES and Xtreme JAKES membership list; the lucky winner and a parent are treated to an all-expense paid hunt, which is filmed for potential use on NWTF’s TV shows. Also in camp is another JAKES member and parent who purchased the hunt at the NWTF’s Grand National Auction, held at the convention each year.


Have a question about the JAKES program? Have an idea you’d like to share with the group? Send them to